Michigan Car Accident Claims: Fees, Timeline and What We Recover
Meet The Lee Steinberg Law Firm
After a serious car accident in Michigan, most people want answers to three practical questions:
- How much will a lawyer cost?
- How long will my case take?
- And what can actually be recovered?
Michigan car accident claims are more complicated than claims in many other states because Michigan uses a no-fault insurance system. The no-fault system allows you to get payment for medical bills and reimbursement for lost wages more quickly. It also allows you to get these benefits even if you caused the crash. However, it means your claim may go through your own insurance company, even if another driver caused the crash. At the same time, you may also have a claim against the at-fault driver if your injuries meet Michigan's legal threshold.
The Michigan car accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm help injured people understand their options, deal with insurance companies, and get the compensation available under Michigan law. Call **1-800-LEE-FREE** for a free case evaluation.
This guide explains the basic process, our fee structure, and the types of recovery we pursue in a Michigan car accident case. If you are still trying to understand how fault or negligence is determined, you may also want to read our guide to Michigan traffic laws every accident victim should know.
How Michigan No-Fault Benefits Work
When you get auto insurance, you usually get “personal injury protection,” or PIP, coverage. PIP coverage is basically medical insurance in case you or potentially a family member is injured in a motor vehicle crash inside your car. PIP pays allowable expenses for medical care, recovery, and rehabilitation after a crash.
Depending on the policy and the severity of the injuries, PIP may cover:
- Emergency treatment and hospital bills
- Follow-up care, surgery, therapy, and rehabilitation
- Prescription medication and medical equipment
- Attendant care
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Replacement services for certain household tasks
Michigan drivers can choose different PIP medical coverage levels, including unlimited coverage, $500,000, $250,000, or $50,000 for some Medicaid beneficiaries. Some individuals can opt out of PIP altogether, but they must have qualifying health insurance (Medicare or a private health insurance plan that covers all auto accident-related bills.
When You Can Bring a Claim Against the At-Fault Driver
No-fault benefits don't automatically cover everything. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic damages usually require a claim against the at-fault driver, owner, and other potential defendants.
Under Michigan law, a person injured in a motor vehicle crash may pursue non-economic damages when the crash causes death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.
That threshold is fact-specific. Medical records matter, but so does how the injury and impairment affect daily life. This includes your ability to work, drive, sleep, do chores, move around, and enjoy hobbies. Contact an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer to explain what a threshold injury is and protect your rights.
What We May Recover
Every case is different, but a Michigan car accident claim may involve several layers of recovery.
**No-fault PIP benefits** may include medical bills, rehabilitation, wage loss, attendant care, transportation, and replacement services. Your auto insurance carrier, a resident relative’s insurance, or the Michigan assigned claims plan pays these.
**Pain and suffering damages** are available when another driver is negligent for causing the crash. These damages include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, and other similar losses due to the car crash.
**Excess economic losses** may be available when losses go beyond no-fault coverage policy limits. For example, if a person has only $50,000 in PIP benefits but their medical bills exceed that limit, they can claim the remaining medical bills from the at-fault driver and owner.
**Wrongful death damages** may be available when a crash causes a fatal injury. These are called wrongful death cases.
**Vehicle damage** is usually handled separately from injury benefits. Michigan's mini-tort rule may allow recovery of up to $3,000 for uncovered vehicle damage when the other driver was 50% or more at fault.
How Our Fees Work
Most Michigan car accident cases are handled on a contingency fee. That means you do not pay an attorney fee upfront. You pay the attorney fee from the recovery if we obtain money for you. This is how it works at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm. We do it this way so everyone has access to a lawyer and justice.
Michigan court rules limit contingency fees in personal injury, wrongful death, and no-fault benefit matters. The fee agreement must be in writing and should explain how the fee is calculated, how case costs are handled, and what happens at the end of the case.
In plain English: no recovery means no attorney fee. Before you sign anything, you should understand the percentage, litigation costs, medical liens, and how the final settlement distribution will be calculated. For a deeper explanation, read Free Consultation and No Win, No Fee: How Our Fees Work.
How Long a Michigan Car Accident Claim Takes
Some claims resolve in a few months. Others take a year or longer, especially when injuries are serious, treatment is ongoing, liability is disputed, or the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer.
A typical timeline looks like this:
1. Investigation: We gather crash reports, photos, witness information, medical records, and insurance details.
2. Medical treatment period: It is usually risky to settle before the full extent of the injury is understood.
3. Insurance claim and demand: Once damages are documented, we prepare a settlement demand.
4. Negotiation: The insurer may accept, counter, delay, or deny.
5. Lawsuit if needed: If the insurer does not offer fair value, litigation may be necessary.
6. Discovery, mediation, and trial preparation: Many filed cases settle before trial, but strong preparation matters.
Deadlines can be strict. Waiting too long can damage a claim, especially with PIP benefits and evidence preservation.
What To Do After a Michigan Car Accident
Get medical care, even if symptoms seem manageable at first. Report the crash. Photograph the vehicles, scene, visible injuries, road conditions, and insurance information. Avoid recorded statements before getting legal advice. Keep every bill, prescription receipt, and work-loss document.
Most importantly, do not assume the insurance company is calculating your claim correctly. Michigan no-fault claims involve priority rules, policy elections, medical coverage limits, and reimbursement issues that can change the outcome.
If complications from medical treatment later become part of the story, a crash claim may need to be reviewed separately from a Michigan medical malpractice negligence claim. The legal standard, deadlines, and expert requirements are different.
How Our Michigan Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
Our Michigan personal injury attorneys can investigate the crash, identify every available insurance policy, calculate damages, handle communication with insurers, and explain whether you may have a claim for pain and suffering. We can also help with related claims involving Michigan motorcycle accident claims and Michigan bicycle accident claims when the facts involve vulnerable road users.
Some injury victims are also dealing with unsafe property conditions, such as a parking lot fall before or after a collision. Those facts may involve Michigan slip-and-fall premises liability, and local claims may need a Grand Rapids slip-and-fall lawyer if the injury happened in West Michigan.
Free Consultation
A free consultation gives you a clear first read on the claim: which insurance policies may apply, what benefits may be available, whether a pain and suffering claim exists, and what deadlines need attention.
If Lee Steinberg Law Firm takes the case, our fee is contingent on recovery. You get answers before you owe an attorney fee. Call **1-800-LEE-FREE** or request a free case evaluation today.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Do I sue the other driver first after a Michigan crash?
Not always. Many benefits begin with a no-fault PIP claim. In that case, your auto insurance company pays benefits such as medical bills, lost wages, and prescriptions. If they fail to pay, you can sue the insurance company to recover outstanding benefits. You may also bring a separate claim against the at-fault driver if your injuries meet Michigan's threshold for non-economic damages.
Can I recover pain and suffering in Michigan?
Yes, but not in every crash. Michigan law requires some basic level of medical treatment that demonstrates the injured person sustained an injury that caused impairments and restrictions. In addition, the injured person must show the car accident has generally changed their ability to lead their life, even if just temporarily. Also, another person must be at least 50% at fault for causing the crash.
How much does a Michigan car accident lawyer cost?
Most personal injury firms use a contingency fee, meaning the attorney fee comes from the recovery if the case succeeds. In Michigan, the fee is one-third of the net award, the settlement amount after case costs. The agreement should be in writing.
How long do I have to file?
Deadlines depend on the type of claim. Negligence cases for pain and suffering have a three-year statute of limitations. However, no-fault PIP claims can have a limitation period as short as one year. Contact an aggressive Michigan car accident lawyer to find out your rights and where you stand.
