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Injured in a car accident in Michigan in 2027? Here’s what to do next.
A step-by-step guide to protecting your health, your no-fault benefits, and your right to compensation after a Michigan crash.
A car accident turns a normal day upside down in seconds. One minute you’re driving to work or picking up your kids. The next, you’re on the side of the road — shaken, maybe hurt, and unsure what happens next.
What you do in the hours and days after a crash matters more than most people realize. It affects your no-fault benefits, whether your medical bills get paid, and whether you can recover compensation from the driver who caused the crash. Michigan’s auto insurance system works differently from almost every other state, and insurance companies know those rules far better than the people filing claims.
If you’ve been hurt in a crash in 2027, this guide walks you through what to do, in the order it matters.
At the scene of the accident
Make sure everyone is safe and call 911
If you can, move out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away.
Even if the crash seems minor, calling the police is usually the right move. Officers typically complete a Michigan Traffic Crash Report, known as a UD-10. Insurance companies rely heavily on this report to decide who was at fault. Before you leave, ask the officer how to get a copy.
Exchange information with the other driver
Get each driver’s full name and phone number, insurance company and policy number, license plate number, and the make, model, and color of their vehicle.
Stay calm and polite, but don’t apologize or argue about who caused the crash. A simple “I’m sorry” can be twisted into an admission of fault, and anything you say at the scene can end up in an insurance claim file.
Document everything
Your phone is your best tool at the scene. Photograph every vehicle from several angles, the damage, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs and signals, and any visible injuries.
If anyone saw the crash, get their names and phone numbers. Witnesses are often the difference between a disputed claim and a clear one, and they’re very hard to find later.
In the hours and days after the crash
Get medical attention, even if you feel fine
This is the step people skip most often, and it’s one of the costliest mistakes you can make. Adrenaline masks pain. Concussions, whiplash, back injuries, and internal injuries often don’t show symptoms until hours or days later.
Get checked out by a doctor, urgent care, or the emergency room as soon as possible, then follow your treatment plan. Insurance companies look closely for gaps in treatment and use them to argue that your injuries aren’t serious or weren’t caused by the crash.
Report the accident to your own insurance company
Michigan is a no-fault state. In most cases, your own auto insurer pays your medical bills, part of your lost wages, and other benefits through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage — no matter who caused the crash.
You generally must give your insurer written notice of the accident within one year. Don’t wait anywhere near that long. Report the crash promptly and ask about filing an Application for Benefits.
Be careful with the other driver’s insurance company
Don’t be surprised if the other driver’s insurer calls you within a day or two. The adjuster may sound friendly and ask for a recorded statement or offer a quick settlement. Remember who that adjuster works for: their job is to pay as little as possible.
You’re generally not required to give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement, and it’s smart to talk to a lawyer before you do. Never sign a release before you know the full extent of your injuries — a release almost always ends your claim permanently.
Keep a paper trail
Start a folder, on paper or on your phone, and keep everything related to the crash:
- Medical bills, records, and prescriptions
- Mileage to and from medical appointments
- Pay stubs and records of missed work
- Receipts for out-of-pocket costs, repair estimates, and rental car costs
- Every letter and email from an insurance company
A short daily journal also helps. A few sentences about your pain, your sleep, and what you can no longer do can be powerful evidence of how the crash changed your life.
Already hearing from an insurance adjuster? Talk to us first. It’s free.
Call 855-558-8250How Michigan no-fault PIP works in 2027
Since Michigan’s 2019 no-fault reform took effect, drivers no longer all carry the same coverage. Each driver chooses a PIP medical level, and the level on your policy on the day of the crash is the one that applies to your claim. You can’t raise it afterward.
| PIP medical level | Who can choose it |
|---|---|
| Unlimited | Any Michigan driver |
| $500,000 | Any Michigan driver |
| $250,000 | Any Michigan driver |
| $250,000 with exclusions | Drivers whose household members have qualified health coverage |
| $50,000 | Drivers enrolled in Medicaid |
| Opt-out | Drivers with Medicare Parts A and B |
Along with medical care, PIP generally pays up to 85% of your gross wages for up to three years (subject to a monthly maximum adjusted each year) and up to $20 a day for household help you can’t do yourself.
Not sure what coverage you have? Check the declarations page of your auto policy or call your agent. A serious injury can use up a $50,000 or $250,000 limit quickly — and that’s when a claim against the at-fault driver becomes critical.
Michigan lawmakers continue to debate parts of the no-fault system, including how care providers are paid. The rules described here reflect Michigan law at the time of publication. If the law changes, we’ll update this guide. Read more in our Michigan auto accident overview.
Can you sue the driver who hit you?
Many people hear “no-fault” and assume they can’t sue the at-fault driver. That’s not true. Michigan law allows a claim against the at-fault driver in several situations:
- Pain and suffering if the crash caused a serious impairment of body function, permanent serious disfigurement, or death. The injury doesn’t have to be permanent to qualify.
- Excess economic losses, such as medical bills beyond your PIP limit or lost wages beyond what PIP pays.
- Vehicle damage of up to $3,000 that your own insurance didn’t cover, like your deductible, through a mini-tort claim.
Michigan uses comparative fault. If you were partly to blame, your compensation can be reduced by your share. If you were more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover pain and suffering damages from the other driver.
Whether an injury meets Michigan’s “serious impairment” standard is often the biggest fight in the case. That’s where an experienced attorney makes the difference. The same rules apply to truck accidents and to riders hurt in motorcycle accidents.
Know your deadlines
| Type of claim | General deadline |
|---|---|
| Lawsuit against the at-fault driver | Generally 3 years from the date of the crash |
| No-fault PIP benefits | Written notice to your insurer generally within 1 year, with additional 1-year limits on recovering unpaid benefits |
| Crash involving a government vehicle or road defect | Notice deadlines can be as short as 120 days |
Missing a deadline can end your claim no matter how strong it is. Evidence also disappears fast: surveillance video gets erased, vehicles get repaired, and witnesses forget. The sooner you act, the stronger your claim tends to be.
Talk to a Michigan car accident lawyer
You don’t have to figure this out alone, and talking to a lawyer costs you nothing.
Since 2003, HTY Law has helped injured Michiganders stand up to insurance companies. Our team brings more than 50 years of combined experience and has recovered more than $100 million for clients. With offices in Troy, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Flint, and Traverse City, we serve clients across the entire state.
When you call, we’ll explain your rights, tell you which deadlines apply, and help you understand what your claim may involve — before an insurance company tells you what it’s worth. And you pay no attorney fee unless we win your case.
Hurt in a Michigan crash? Get a free, confidential case review. Available 24/7.
Call 855-558-8250Frequently asked questions
Do I need a police report after a car accident in Michigan?
It isn’t the only evidence that matters, but it’s one of the most important. Insurers use it to decide fault and confirm how the crash happened. If police didn’t come to the scene, you can usually file a report at the local police station afterward.
Who pays my medical bills after a car accident in Michigan?
In most cases, your own auto insurer pays through your PIP coverage, regardless of who caused the crash. If you don’t have auto insurance, coverage may come from a household family member’s policy or another source set by Michigan law.
Should I accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer?
Be very cautious. First offers are often low, and signing a release usually ends your claim for good. Have an attorney review any offer before you accept it.
How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer?
At HTY Law, the consultation is free, and you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Michigan?
Generally three years for a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, and one year to give written notice to your own insurer for PIP benefits. Some claims have shorter deadlines, so talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. Laws can change; this article reflects Michigan law at the time of publication.
Tell us what happened. We’ll tell you where you stand.
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