Michigan Personal Injury Answers
Frequently asked questions
Every question our Michigan clients ask us most often — answered in a dedicated guide. Browse by practice area or scan the full list. If you don't see your question, call us and we'll answer it in your free case review.
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Our guides to Michigan injury law
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Car Accident
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Michigan?
One year for a no-fault PIP application, three years for a third-party bodily injury lawsuit — and every reason to move sooner.
Read the full guideCar Accident
How does Michigan's no-fault system work?
Your own auto policy pays PIP benefits regardless of fault, and you can still sue an at-fault driver if injuries meet Michigan's serious-impairment threshold.
Read the full guideCar Accident
What does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer?
Nothing up front. Michigan Court Rule 8.121 caps contingency fees at one-third of the net recovery — and PIP fee-shifting can put the insurer on the hook.
Read the full guideCar Accident
What if the other driver was uninsured or fled the scene?
Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and Michigan PIP can still produce a full recovery, even against a hit-and-run driver.
Read the full guideCar Accident
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?
First offers are almost always far below case value. Learn what the adjuster is actually doing and why a quick check can cost you six figures.
Read the full guideCar Accident
What if I was partially at fault for the crash?
Michigan's modified comparative negligence rule lets you recover as long as you were less than 51% at fault — with a fee tied to your percentage of blame.
Read the full guideCar Accident
How long will my Michigan car accident case take?
Simple PIP claims often resolve in months. Third-party injury cases usually run 12 to 24 months — here's what drives the timeline.
Read the full guideCar Accident
What is my Michigan car accident case worth?
Injury severity, medical bills, wage loss, and available policy limits all feed the number. A candid valuation starts with the facts of your crash.
Read the full guideTruck Accident
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Michigan?
One year for PIP and three years for a third-party lawsuit — but ELD logs, black-box data, and dashcam footage can be overwritten in days.
Read the full guideTruck Accident
Why are truck accident cases more complex than car accident cases?
Federal regulations, multiple defendants, stacked policies, and aggressive corporate defense teams make trucking cases a different animal.
Read the full guideTruck Accident
Who can be held liable for a Michigan truck accident?
Driver and motor carrier are almost always defendants, but liability often extends to owners, loaders, maintenance vendors, and parts makers.
Read the full guideTruck Accident
What evidence is critical in a truck accident case?
EDR data, ELD hours-of-service, driver qualification files, dashcam footage, and post-crash drug tests — and the spoliation letter to preserve them.
Read the full guideTruck Accident
Will I get Michigan PIP benefits if I was hit by a truck?
Yes — your own no-fault policy pays PIP for medical care, wage loss, replacement services, and attendant care, on top of a third-party claim against the carrier.
Read the full guideTruck Accident
What does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?
Contingency fee — you pay no attorney fees unless we win. The consultation is free and the risk is ours.
Read the full guideTruck Accident
What if the trucking company's insurance offers me a quick settlement?
Carriers move within hours specifically to settle cheaply before you know what the case is worth. Here's how those quick offers actually work.
Read the full guideTruck Accident
What is my Michigan truck accident case worth?
Injury severity, future care, wage loss, commercial policy limits (often $1M+), and liability evidence all shape the recovery.
Read the full guideMotorcycle Accident
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in Michigan?
One year for PIP when available, three years for a third-party bodily injury lawsuit — clocks that run whether or not you know your rights.
Read the full guideMotorcycle Accident
Am I entitled to no-fault PIP benefits as a motorcycle rider?
It depends on whether a car, truck, or SUV was involved. PIP may come from that vehicle's insurer or the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.
Read the full guideMotorcycle Accident
What if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Qualifying riders 21 and older can lawfully ride without a helmet. Insurers push helmet arguments hard — but the law does not bar your case.
Read the full guideMotorcycle Accident
What does it cost to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer?
Contingency — no fee unless we recover money for you, and the free consultation costs nothing.
Read the full guideMotorcycle Accident
What if the at-fault driver was uninsured or fled the scene?
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage — and Michigan no-fault in many cases — still opens a path to compensation.
Read the full guideMotorcycle Accident
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?
Adjusters know riders face bias and use it to settle quickly and cheaply. What the first check really means for your case.
Read the full guideMotorcycle Accident
What if I was partially at fault for the crash?
You can still recover under Michigan's modified comparative negligence rule as long as you're less than 51% at fault.
Read the full guideMotorcycle Accident
What is my Michigan motorcycle accident case worth?
Injury severity, medical bills, wage loss, and available policy limits — filtered through Michigan's unique motorcycle rules.
Read the full guideWorkers' Compensation
How long do I have to file a workers' comp claim in Michigan?
Notice within 90 days, formal claim within 2 years — miss either and you can lose benefits forever.
Read the full guideWorkers' Compensation
Do I have to prove my employer did something wrong?
No. Michigan workers' comp is no-fault — you're entitled to benefits if the injury arose out of and in the course of employment.
Read the full guideWorkers' Compensation
What workers' comp benefits can I receive?
80% of after-tax average weekly wage, medical care, vocational rehab, mileage, specific-loss payments, and death benefits for surviving family.
Read the full guideWorkers' Compensation
Can I see my own doctor for a work injury?
Your employer picks the doctor for the first 28 days. After that, you can — and generally should — switch to a physician you trust.
Read the full guideWorkers' Compensation
What if my workers' comp claim is denied?
Denials are common — and most are wrong. We file with the Workers' Disability Compensation Agency and fight through trial and appeal if needed.
Read the full guideWorkers' Compensation
Should I accept the insurance company's redemption settlement?
A redemption is a one-time, lump-sum payment that closes your claim forever — including future medical care. Read this before you sign.
Read the full guideWorkers' Compensation
What does it cost to hire a Michigan workers' comp lawyer?
Statutory fees paid only out of benefits we recover for you — no up-front cost, no risk to your wallet.
Read the full guideWorkers' Compensation
Can I sue my employer in addition to filing for workers' comp?
Comp is generally the exclusive remedy against your employer — but a third party can open a full personal injury claim on top of your comp benefits.
Read the full guideSSDI
How long does the SSDI process take in Michigan?
3–6 months for the initial decision, another 3–6 months for reconsideration, and often 12–18 months to an ALJ hearing.
Read the full guideSSDI
Can I work while applying for SSDI?
You can — but only below the substantial gainful activity (SGA) earnings limit. Going over is the fastest way to lose your claim.
Read the full guideSSDI
How much does an SSDI lawyer cost?
Federal law caps SSDI attorney fees and pays them only out of past-due benefits — never out of pocket, and never unless you win.
Read the full guideSSDI
What if my SSDI application has already been denied?
Most claims are denied at the initial stage and won at the ALJ hearing. Miss the 60-day appeal deadline and you start over.
Read the full guideSSDI
What conditions qualify for SSDI?
There is no fixed list — SSA evaluates how the condition limits your ability to work. Musculoskeletal, mental health, neurological, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions all qualify when properly documented.
Read the full guideSSDI
Will hiring a lawyer increase my chances of SSDI approval?
Represented claimants win at significantly higher rates than unrepresented ones — especially at the ALJ hearing.
Read the full guideSSDI
Will SSDI affect my other benefits?
SSDI interacts with workers' comp, long-term disability, and public benefits in complex ways. Coordination keeps as much income as possible.
Read the full guideSSDI
What happens at an SSDI ALJ hearing?
You testify before an Administrative Law Judge, and vocational and medical experts weigh in. Preparation is what wins the day.
Read the full guideOffices across Michigan
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