Ask Lee Free – Michigan Personal Injury Law Questions & Answers

Question 1

What should I do immediately after a car accident in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

After a Michigan car accident: (1) Call 911 and get medical help immediately. (2) Do not admit fault or apologize at the scene. (3) Document everything — take photos of vehicles, injuries, road conditions, and the scene. (4) Get the other driver's name, insurance, and license plate. (5) Collect witness contact information. (6) Do NOT give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster without first speaking to a lawyer. (7) Seek medical treatment promptly — delays hurt both your health and your claim. (8) Call The Lee Steinberg Law Firm at 1-800-533-3733 for a free consultation.

Question 2

How does Michigan's No-Fault auto insurance law work?

Accepted Answer

Michigan is a No-Fault state, meaning your own auto insurance pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and related expenses regardless of who caused the accident. This coverage is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP). However, No-Fault does NOT pay for pain and suffering. To recover pain and suffering compensation, you must file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver and prove you suffered a 'serious impairment of body function.' The 2019 Michigan No-Fault Reform law also created new PIP coverage tiers that affect how much insurance pays for your medical care. Call us at 1-800-533-3733 to understand exactly what your policy covers.

Question 3

How much is my Michigan personal injury case worth?

Accepted Answer

There is no universal formula, but Michigan personal injury settlements consider: (1) Severity and permanence of your injuries; (2) Medical treatment costs — past and future; (3) Lost wages and loss of earning capacity; (4) Pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life; (5) Insurance policy limits of the at-fault driver; (6) Whether the accident caused a 'serious impairment' under Michigan law. Minor injuries may settle for $10,000–$50,000. Serious or catastrophic injuries can result in settlements or verdicts exceeding $1 million. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm fights for the maximum — not the average.

Question 4

What is the statute of limitations for a car accident lawsuit in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

In Michigan, you generally have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit for pain and suffering. For No-Fault PIP insurance benefits, you must file within 1 year of the accident or within 1 year of the date benefits were denied. Medical malpractice cases have a 2-year statute of limitations. Government/municipal claims require a Notice of Claim within 120 days of the injury. Missing these deadlines permanently bars your claim. Contact us immediately after an accident.

Question 5

Who pays my medical bills after a Michigan car accident?

Accepted Answer

Michigan follows a specific 'Order of Priority' for who pays your medical bills after a crash: (1) Your own auto insurance PIP coverage pays first. (2) If you have no auto insurance, a resident relative's policy may cover you. (3) If no coverage applies, the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP) may apply. The at-fault driver's insurance does NOT pay your medical bills in Michigan — that is the No-Fault system. Our attorneys help you identify the right insurer, file the proper claims, and fight denied or underpaid benefits.

Question 6

Can I sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering after a Michigan car accident?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only if your injuries meet Michigan's 'serious impairment of body function' threshold. This means your injuries must affect your ability to lead your normal life. Serious injuries — fractures, TBI, spinal cord damage, scarring, nerve damage — typically qualify. Soft-tissue injuries like mild whiplash may not always meet the threshold. An experienced attorney evaluates whether your injuries qualify and builds the evidence needed to win. Call The Lee Steinberg Law Firm for a free case assessment.

Question 7

What should I do if the insurance company contacts me after my accident?

Accepted Answer

Do NOT give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster — yours or the other driver's — without speaking to a lawyer first. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can be used to reduce your claim. You are legally required to cooperate with your own insurer, but you have the right to have your attorney present. Call The Lee Steinberg Law Firm at 1-800-533-3733 before you speak to any insurance company.

Question 8

What are my rights if I was injured in a slip and fall accident in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Michigan property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. If you slipped, tripped, or fell due to a dangerous condition — ice, wet floors, broken stairs, uneven pavement — you may have a premises liability claim. Michigan's Supreme Court restored stronger slip and fall protections in 2023 (Kandil-Elsayed v. F&E Oil). You must generally prove: (1) A dangerous condition existed; (2) The property owner knew or should have known about it; (3) The condition caused your injury. Time limits and notice requirements are strict — contact our attorneys immediately.

Question 9

Do I have a case if I was hit by an Uber or Lyft driver in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Rideshare accidents in Michigan follow specific insurance rules. If the driver was 'on trip' (transporting a passenger or en route to pick one up), Uber and Lyft provide up to $1,000,000 in liability coverage. If the app was on but no ride was active, a lower coverage tier applies. If the app was off, only the driver's personal insurance applies. Our attorneys know how to navigate rideshare insurance disputes and pursue maximum compensation from all available sources.

Question 10

What can I recover in a Michigan wrongful death lawsuit?

Accepted Answer

Michigan's Wrongful Death Act (MCL 600.2922) allows eligible family members to recover: (1) Medical and funeral expenses; (2) Lost financial support the deceased would have provided; (3) Lost companionship, society, and consortium; (4) Mental anguish of surviving family members; (5) Pain and suffering the deceased experienced before death. Eligible claimants include spouses, children, parents, and other dependents. Wrongful death lawsuits must generally be filed within 3 years. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm handles wrongful death cases with compassion and tenacity.

Question 11

What is the difference between No-Fault PIP benefits and a pain and suffering lawsuit?

Accepted Answer

No-Fault PIP benefits cover your economic losses — medical bills, lost wages (up to 85% of gross income), and replacement services — paid by your own insurance regardless of fault. A pain and suffering lawsuit (third-party tort claim) is filed against the at-fault driver for non-economic damages — physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. These are two separate and parallel legal tracks. You can pursue both simultaneously. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm handles both on your behalf.

Question 12

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for my Michigan accident?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Michigan follows a 'modified comparative negligence' rule. You can recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your share of blame to reduce their payout. Our attorneys fight back with evidence to keep your fault percentage as low as possible.

Question 13

How long does a Michigan personal injury case take to settle?

Accepted Answer

Settlement timelines vary widely: Minor injury cases may settle in 3–9 months. Serious injury cases typically take 1–3 years. Cases that go to trial can take 2–4 years or more. Factors affecting timeline include injury severity, medical treatment duration, insurance company cooperation, and court schedules. We pursue the fastest resolution that achieves the maximum compensation for you — we never settle early just to close a file.

Question 14

What is Social Security Disability (SSD) and do I qualify?

Accepted Answer

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly income benefits to people who can no longer work due to a severe medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. To qualify: (1) You must have a sufficient work history and paid Social Security taxes; (2) Your condition must prevent substantial gainful activity; (3) Your condition must meet SSA's definition of disability. Many initial applications are denied. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm handles SSD appeals and hearings — with no fee unless you win.

Question 15

What is the Michigan No-Fault fee schedule and how does it affect my medical care?

Accepted Answer

Under Michigan's 2019 No-Fault Reform, insurance companies now pay medical providers according to a fee schedule — a set price list — instead of 'reasonable and customary' charges. For accidents after July 1, 2021, insurers pay Medicare-based rates (typically 190%–230% of Medicare for most providers). This has caused many medical providers to refuse to treat auto accident patients. Our attorneys fight to ensure your medical treatment is covered and appeal wrongful denials of care.

Personal Injury Q&A, Ask Lee Free

FAQs: Accident Reports for Detroit and Surrounding Areas