Car Accident Claims in Michigan

A driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone, or damages property to an apparent total of $1,000 or more, must immediately report it at the nearest or most convenient police station or to the nearest or most convenient police officer.

Michigan's crash report is completed in full by the investigating officer and forwarded to the Director of the Michigan State Police, who analyzes the reports. Local copies are kept for at least 3 years by the police agency that made the report.

A driver who knows or has reason to believe they were in a crash on public or private property open to the public must stop immediately and stay until giving name, address, vehicle registration number and owner's name and address, showing a driver license, and giving reasonable help to anyone injured (helping get medical aid or arranging transport). A driver who honestly and reasonably believes staying would cause further harm may instead immediately report to the nearest police agency. Leaving the scene when the crash damages an attended vehicle is a misdemeanor (up to 90 days and/or $100); when it causes injury, a misdemeanor (up to 1 year and/or $1,000) with license suspension; when it causes serious impairment of a body function or death, a felony (up to 5 years and/or $5,000); and when the driver caused a crash resulting in death, a felony (up to 15 years and/or $10,000).

Michigan is a no-fault state. For policies issued after July 1, 2020, default liability limits are $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage; a policyholder may choose lower limits, but not below $50,000/$100,000, by signing a state form. Drivers choose a personal injury protection (PIP) medical coverage level: unlimited, $500,000, $250,000, or (for qualifying Medicaid enrollees) $50,000, with some drivers able to opt out under other rules. A person may sue for noneconomic loss only for death, serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement.

Modified comparative fault. Damages are reduced by the injured person's percentage of fault. If the injured person's fault is greater than the combined fault of all others (that is, more than 50%), economic damages are reduced by that percentage and no noneconomic damages (such as pain and suffering) are awarded. In auto no-fault tort cases, no damages for noneconomic loss are assessed in favor of a party more than 50% at fault.

Three years after the time of the injury for most actions to recover damages for injury to a person. Shorter periods apply to some claims, such as 2 years for assault, battery or false imprisonment and 2 years for malpractice; 10 years applies to claims for criminal sexual conduct.

Three years after the time of the injury for actions to recover damages for injury to property.