Michigan Car Accident Attorney
After a car accident in Michigan, injured people need answers — and they need them fast. Most people have never navigated a personal injury claim before. At Jalal Abdallah Law PLLC, we hear from accident victims every day across Southfield, Detroit, Dearborn, and all of Michigan who are asking the same questions.
When you contact our firm, we will tell you:
- Whether you have a valid personal injury claim under Michigan law
- How your medical bills will be paid and which insurance applies
- Whether you should speak with the other driver’s insurance company
- What to do if the at-fault driver is blaming you
- What you can expect throughout the claims process
- How much your case may be worth in a settlement or verdict
Michigan Is a No-Fault State — What That Means for You
Michigan operates under a no-fault insurance system. After a car accident, your own auto insurance covers your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits — regardless of who caused the crash. PIP benefits under Michigan law include:
- All reasonable and necessary medical expenses for your care, recovery, and rehabilitation
- Wage loss benefits equal to 85% of your gross income, up to the state maximum ($7,201 per 30-day period for accidents occurring October 2025 through September 2026), for up to three years
- Replacement services of up to $20 per day for household tasks you can no longer perform, for up to three years
- Survivor’s loss benefits for dependents if the accident resulted in death
PIP does not cover pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, or other non-economic damages. To pursue those, you must file a separate claim against the at-fault driver — and Michigan law requires you to meet a legal injury threshold first.
The Injury Threshold — When You Can Sue the At-Fault Driver
To recover pain and suffering and non-economic damages in a Michigan car accident case, your injuries must meet one of three threshold categories under MCL 500.3135:
- Death
- Permanent serious disfigurement
- Serious impairment of a bodily function — an objectively manifested impairment of an important body function that affects your general ability to lead your normal life
The serious impairment standard is where insurance companies focus their defense. They will challenge whether your injury is objectively documented, whether the affected function is sufficiently important, and whether your daily life has genuinely been altered. An experienced Michigan car accident attorney builds the medical and factual record needed to clear this threshold and open the door to full compensation.
Separately, if your PIP medical coverage limit is less than unlimited and your medical costs exceed that limit, you may also file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for excess medical benefits regardless of the threshold.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
A Michigan car accident claim can involve up to three separate avenues of recovery:
No-Fault PIP Claim Against Your Own Insurer
Medical expenses, wage loss benefits, replacement services, and attendant care — paid by your own insurance company regardless of fault.
Third-Party Claim Against the At-Fault Driver
Once the injury threshold is met, you can pursue pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, excess wage loss, and excess medical expenses beyond your PIP limits directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer.
Mini-Tort Claim for Vehicle Damage
Under MCL 500.3135(3)(e), you may recover up to $3,000 for vehicle damage not covered by your own collision insurance through a mini-tort claim against the at-fault driver.
Michigan’s Comparative Fault Rule
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault system. If you share some responsibility for the accident, your compensation for non-economic damages is reduced proportionally by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover non-economic damages at all. PIP benefits are not affected by comparative fault. Insurance companies aggressively try to inflate your share of responsibility — an attorney investigates the facts and pushes back against inflated fault assignments from day one.
When a Car Accident Results in Serious Injuries, Get Help
When a car accident is minor and results in vehicle damage only, it is often possible to manage the insurance claim without legal help. When a car accident results in significant injuries, speaking with an experienced Michigan car accident attorney is not optional — it is essential.
Insurance adjusters contact accident victims within hours, before the full extent of injuries is known, hoping to lock in a recorded statement or a quick settlement. Once you sign a release, all future claims are permanently gone — even if surgery, long-term therapy, or permanent disability emerges later. Jalal Abdallah Law intervenes immediately to protect your rights, manage insurer communications, and build the strongest possible case for maximum recovery.
Contact Jalal Abdallah Law today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis — no upfront fees, and no fee at all unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Michigan?
Call 911 and stay at the scene. Move to safety if possible and turn on hazard lights. Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver. Document everything with photos — vehicles, damage, road conditions, injuries, license plates. Collect witness contact information. Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine — many serious injuries don’t produce symptoms right away. Notify your own insurance company, but do not give a recorded statement to the opposing insurer without speaking to an attorney first.
How does Michigan’s no-fault insurance system work?
Michigan’s no-fault system means your own auto insurance pays your medical bills and a portion of lost wages through PIP benefits regardless of who caused the accident. PIP covers medical expenses up to your chosen coverage level, 85% of lost gross income (up to $7,201 per 30 days for accidents from October 2025 through September 2026) for up to three years, and replacement services up to $20 per day. PIP does not cover pain and suffering — those non-economic damages require a separate third-party claim against the at-fault driver, subject to Michigan’s injury threshold under MCL 500.3135.
Can I sue the at-fault driver after a Michigan car accident?
Yes, under certain conditions. To sue for pain and suffering and non-economic damages, you must prove your injuries meet the threshold under MCL 500.3135 — death, permanent serious disfigurement, or serious impairment of a bodily function that affects your ability to live your normal life. You may also sue for excess medical benefits if your costs exceed your PIP coverage limit, and for vehicle damage up to $3,000 through a mini-tort claim. An attorney evaluates all three avenues at your free consultation.
What if the other driver says the accident was my fault?
Fault is a legal determination based on evidence — not what the other driver says at the scene. Michigan’s modified comparative fault rule means even if you share some responsibility, you may still recover compensation. Your non-economic damages are reduced proportionally by your fault percentage, and you cannot recover non-economic damages if found more than 50% at fault. Your PIP benefits are not affected by fault at all. An attorney investigates the accident independently, gathers evidence, and challenges any unfair fault assignment.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Michigan?
Multiple deadlines apply. For a third-party lawsuit against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and other damages, Michigan’s statute of limitations is three years from the date of the crash under MCL 600.5805. For no-fault PIP benefits, you must provide written notice to your insurer within one year of the crash, and the one-year-back rule limits recovery of unpaid benefits to expenses incurred in the year before filing suit. If a government entity is involved, notice deadlines can be as short as 60 days. Contact an attorney immediately — missing any deadline permanently eliminates your right to recover.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
No — not without an attorney. The opposing insurer’s adjuster will contact you quickly, often within hours of the crash. Their goal is to gather information that limits or eliminates your claim. You are not legally required to give them a recorded statement. Politely decline and direct them to your attorney. Any statement you make — even something as casual as saying you feel okay — can be used to minimize your injuries later.
How much does a Michigan car accident attorney cost?
At Jalal Abdallah Law, we handle all car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront. No attorney fee is charged unless we win your case. Your initial consultation is completely free. There is no financial risk to getting experienced legal representation fighting for your full compensation from day one.
Why Choose Jalal Abdallah Law?
At Jalal Abdallah Law, we redefine personal injury representation through our extensive experience, compassionate approach, and commitment to our clients' needs. Operating on a contingency fee basis, we empower clients by eliminating upfront costs, ensuring we fight tirelessly for their justice. Trust in our dedication to winning the best outcomes for those who need it most.
Highly Experienced
Our personal injury lawyers have years of experience and have handled a wide variety of cases, from car accidents to slip-and-falls. You can trust us to know how to handle your case.
Personalized Attention
We treat each client as an individual, not just a case number. We take the time to listen to your concerns and answer any questions you may have. You can count on us to be there for you every step of the way.
No Upfront Fees
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you don't have to pay anything upfront. We only get paid if we win your case, so you can trust that we will work hard to get you the best possible outcome.
Compassionate Representation
We understand that being injured can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. That's why we provide compassionate representation to help ease your worries and guide you through the legal process.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today!
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