{"id":374077,"date":"2016-10-03T13:34:51","date_gmt":"2016-10-03T18:34:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-car-accident-compensation-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-07-15T17:49:17","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T22:49:17","slug":"michigan-car-accident-compensation-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-car-accident-compensation-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Michigan Car Accident Compensation Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Michigan Car Accident Compensation Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

In 2020, there were over 245,000 car accidents in Michigan. Only 18.1% of these car crashes involved personal injury. The rest resulted in nothing more than property damage. Accident victims who suffer serious bodily injury in a motor vehicle accident may have a valid claim for damages.<\/p>\r\n

Michigan has specific laws about car accident compensation. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company denies your claim, you must sue the driver personally. This will be your only chance of compensation for your injuries and out-of-pocket losses. <\/p>\r\n

If you are in a car accident in Michigan, you should learn about the state’s car compensation laws. This article briefly overviews car accident compensation laws in Michigan and discusses the statute of limitations for auto accident claims. <\/p>\r\n

Michigan Car Accident Compensation Laws: At a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Below, you’ll find a table outlining key sections of Michigan’s car accident compensation laws, including limits on damages and the statute of limitations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Statute of limitations<\/th>\r\nThree years for most personal injury and property damage lawsuits (\u00a7 600.5805<\/a>)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Limits on damages<\/th>\r\nMichigan law does not limit the amount you can recover in personal injury cases. But, as of January 2024, the maximum cap on medical malpractice cases is $1,016,000.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Other limits<\/th>\r\nMichigan’s no-fault system requires that you file your insurance claim before pursuing legal damages. The State of Michigan’s modified comparative negligence fault system applies to all personal injury claims (\u00a7 500.3135<\/a>).<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note: State laws are subject to change through new legislation, higher court rulings, ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information, consult a Michigan car accident attorney or conduct legal research to verify your state laws.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Types of Damages<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

You can recover two types of damages<\/a> in your lawsuit: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are the more direct, specific costs you have due to your motor vehicle accident. This includes things like medical bills and auto mechanic fees. Non-economic damages are the more abstract costs of an accident, like emotional distress or pain and suffering.<\/p>\r\n

Examples of economic damages in a car accident lawsuit include:<\/p>\r\n