Car Accident Lawyers in Michigan

A car accident claim in Michigan doesn’t start the way it does in most states. Instead of suing the other driver right away, an injured Michigander typically files first with their own insurer under the state’s no-fault system, and only gets to sue for pain and suffering if the crash clears a specific legal bar. That two-layer structure, paired with a fault rule that can erase a claim entirely, makes understanding Michigan’s rules a real head start.

PIP Comes First, Regardless of Fault

Michigan is one of a small number of true no-fault auto insurance states. After a crash, an injured driver turns first to their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which pays medical bills and a portion of lost wages no matter who caused the accident. The 2020 no-fault reform replaced the old unlimited-lifetime-benefits requirement with a menu of PIP tiers, so how much medical coverage is actually available depends on which option the driver selected when buying the policy — a detail that’s easy to overlook until a serious injury runs up six-figure medical bills.

Minimum bodily injury liability coverage is $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident, but policies default to a much higher $250,000/$500,000 unless the driver specifically signs a form choosing a lower limit. Michigan also requires $10,000 in Property Protection Insurance, covering up to $1,000,000 in damage a driver’s vehicle causes to property other than another car.

The Threshold for Suing the Other Driver

Because PIP covers medical bills regardless of fault, Michigan limits when an injured driver can sue the at-fault driver directly for pain and suffering. Under MCL 500.3135, that lawsuit is only available if the crash caused death, permanent serious disfigurement, or a “serious impairment of body function” — a standard that turns on objective medical evidence of how the injury affects daily life. Consistent treatment and complete medical records are often the deciding factor in whether a claim clears this threshold at all.

Modified Comparative Fault: The 51% Rule

Outside the no-fault threshold, Michigan applies modified comparative fault under MCL 600.2959. A claimant found 50% or less at fault has damages reduced by that percentage — someone 30% at fault for a $100,000 loss recovers $70,000. But a claimant found 51% or more at fault is barred from recovering anything. That single percentage point is often the most contested number in a Michigan car accident case, since it decides whether a claim pays out at all rather than just how much.

How a Michigan Car Accident Claim Typically Unfolds

The early stage usually runs on two tracks at once: filing a PIP claim with your own insurer for medical bills and lost wages, and documenting the crash thoroughly enough to support a future tort claim if the injury turns out to be serious. Request the police report, photograph the vehicles and scene, and get contact information for witnesses before memories fade.

Most Michigan car accident attorneys offer a free initial consultation and work on contingency, meaning there’s no fee unless the case results in a recovery. An attorney typically manages the PIP claim, evaluates whether the injury meets the serious impairment threshold, and — if it does — pursues a separate claim against the at-fault driver, all within the three-year filing window.

Finding the Right Lawyer for Your Case

The Lawyer Atlas is a directory, not a law firm, and nothing here is legal advice about your specific situation. Because Michigan’s no-fault system and serious impairment threshold add real complexity, look for an attorney with specific experience in Michigan auto claims, not just general accident work. Ask how they evaluate whether an injury meets the tort threshold and how they’ve handled disputes over PIP benefits.

Browse the Michigan city pages above to reach car accident lawyers serving Lansing and the surrounding communities.