The PIP no-fault timeline
Once we open your PIP claim, MCL 500.3142 requires the insurer to pay benefits within 30 days after receipt of reasonable proof of the fact and amount of loss. Practically, this means:
- Medical bills for approved treatment are paid on an ongoing rolling basis.
- Wage-loss checks start after we submit an employer wage verification form.
- Replacement services are paid monthly on submitted service logs.
- Disputed benefits — the ones that get cut off — often require a lawsuit that resolves in 6 to 18 months.
The third-party bodily injury timeline
A pain-and-suffering lawsuit follows a longer, more structured path:
Months 0 – 6 · Treat and investigate
Focus on medical treatment. We gather the crash report, witness statements, and scene photos, put insurers on notice, and begin the pre-suit investigation.
Months 6 – 12 · Reach maximum medical improvement
Once your doctors can offer a stable prognosis and permanent impairment rating, damages become measurable. We build the demand and try to settle pre-suit if the insurer will negotiate in good faith.
Months 6 – 18 · File suit and complete discovery
If pre-suit settlement fails, we file in circuit court. Written discovery, party depositions, and defense IMEs typically occupy the next 6 to 12 months. Depositions of treating physicians and experts round out the case.
Months 12 – 20 · Case evaluation and mediation
Michigan's court-ordered case evaluation (MCR 2.403) or private mediation is a major settlement pressure point. Many cases resolve here.
Months 18 – 36 · Trial (if necessary) and appeal
Cases that don't settle are set for jury trial. Post-verdict motions and appeals can add another 12 to 24 months to fully resolve the case — but the vast majority of Michigan auto cases settle before trial.
What drives your case faster
- Consistent treatment. Regular medical care creates a clear damages record.
- Clear liability. Red-light, rear-end, and DUI cases move faster than disputed intersection crashes.
- Adequate policy limits. Cases capped at low liability limits settle sooner.
- Early document production. Getting records, wage information, and lien numbers early avoids delays.
What slows your case down
- Ongoing treatment. Every new surgery or recommendation resets the damages picture.
- Disputed liability. Left-turn, lane-change, and multi-vehicle crashes take longer to prove.
- Threshold arguments. Serious impairment fights extend the pre-trial timeline.
- Multiple defendants or coverage layers. Coordinating primary, excess, and UM/UIM insurers adds months.
- Government defendants. Notice requirements and immunity fights add procedural hurdles.
Why patience usually pays
Michigan insurers frequently open with a lowball offer, count on claimant impatience, and reserve the real money for cases that reach case evaluation or the courthouse steps. Our job is to protect your income and medical care during the wait — through PIP, UM/UIM, and short-term disability — so time works for you, not against you.
Want a realistic timeline for your case?
Call us. Once we know the crash type, injuries, and insurers involved, we can give you a specific, honest estimate — and a plan to keep income and medical care in place while it plays out.