The phone call no one ever wants to make is the one that follows a serious car crash. Maybe you are the one calling a family member from a hospital bed, trying to explain what happened. Maybe you are the family member on the other end of the line. Either way, the world feels harder than it did an hour ago, and the questions start coming faster than the answers.
At Christensen Law, our Michigan car accident lawyers have been answering those questions for clients across the state since 1991. We built this firm around a simple idea: people who have been hurt deserve real lawyers who pick up the phone, give honest answers, and fight like the case is their own.
Our team has secured some of the largest car accident verdicts and settlements in Michigan history, and we have done it by treating every client like the person they are, not the file number they could have been somewhere else.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us show how we can help you.
Why Choose Our Michigan Car Accident Lawyers
After an accident, the firm you hire will shape the outcome of your case, the size of your settlement, and how much stress you carry along the way. Here is what sets us apart:
- More than 30 years of trial experience. Our founder, David Christensen, is a member of the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame and one of the few attorneys elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).
- Record-setting results. We have secured verdicts and settlements ranging into the tens of millions of dollars for car accident victims and their families.
- No fees unless we win. We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we recover compensation for you.
- Five offices serving the entire state. From Detroit to Grand Rapids, Southfield to Ann Arbor and Troy, we are close enough to meet in person whenever you need us.
- Recognized excellence. We hold a First-Tier ranking in Detroit for Personal Injury Litigation by U.S. News Best Lawyers for the 2026 Edition of “Best Law Firms,” and we are an AV Preeminent rated firm by Martindale Hubbell.
- Real communication. You will always know where your case stands because we keep you informed at every step.
When you hire us, you are not just hiring a lawyer. You are hiring a team that treats your future like it is our own. Call us today for your free consultation.
How Do Michigan’s No-Fault Auto Insurance Laws Work?
Michigan’s no-fault law means that after a crash, your own insurance company pays for many of your immediate losses, regardless of who caused the accident. This system was designed to get money to injured people quickly, but it is also famously complex.
Under Michigan law, every driver is required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which pays for things like medical bills, wage loss, and household replacement services. The rules around PIP changed significantly in 2019 when the Michigan legislature reformed the system, giving drivers the option to choose different levels of coverage.
What Do PIP Benefits Cover?
If you have been hurt in a Michigan car crash, your PIP benefits may include:
- Reasonable and necessary medical care related to the crash
- Up to 85 percent of your lost wages for up to three years
- Replacement services such as housekeeping or yard work, up to a daily limit
- Attendant care if you need help with daily activities
- Mileage to and from medical appointments
- Funeral and burial expenses in fatal cases
Knowing what you are entitled to is the first step. Getting it paid is often the harder part, which is where our team comes in.
When Can You File a Lawsuit Against the At-Fault Driver?
Michigan’s no-fault system limits when you can sue the driver who caused the crash, but it does not eliminate your right to do so. Under Michigan Compiled Laws Section 500.3135, you can pursue a third-party claim against the at-fault driver if your injuries meet what the law calls a “threshold injury.” This generally includes:
- Death
- Serious impairment of body function
- Permanent serious disfigurement
If your injuries meet this threshold, you may be able to recover pain and suffering damages, excess economic losses, and other compensation that PIP does not cover. We will review your case carefully and explain in plain language whether a third-party lawsuit makes sense for you.
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What Compensation Can You Recover in a Michigan Car Accident Lawsuit?
In a third-party lawsuit, the compensation available to you depends on the facts of your crash, the severity of your injuries, and the type of claim you are pursuing. In a typical Michigan car accident case, our clients may be eligible to recover:
- Medical expenses, both current and future
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, when third-party claims are available
- Property damage to your vehicle and personal items
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Costs of in-home care and rehabilitation
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
Putting a fair number on your losses takes more than a calculator. It takes a deep look at how the crash has affected your life today and how it will continue to affect you in the future. We work with medical professionals, vocational counselors, and economists to make sure no part of your loss is overlooked.
Common Injuries We See in Car Accident Cases
Car crashes can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor bruises to life-altering trauma. Our firm focuses on serious and catastrophic injury cases, where the stakes for our clients and their families are highest. The injuries we frequently handle include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions and severe brain damage
- Spinal cord injuries that can cause partial or full paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures, especially of the legs, arms, ribs, and pelvis
- Internal organ damage requiring surgery and long recovery times
- Burn injuries from vehicle fires or chemical exposure
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries that may seem minor at first but can lead to chronic pain
- Amputations caused by severe vehicle damage
- Wrongful death when a loved one does not survive the crash
We also work closely with medical professionals across Michigan to make sure our clients have access to the care they need while their case moves forward.
Our Results in Michigan Car Accident Cases
When you hire us, you are hiring a firm with a proven record of success. We do not measure ourselves by promises. We measure ourselves by results. Some of our notable car accident and motor vehicle case outcomes include:
- $17,800,000 for a motor vehicle accident personal injury
- $4,197,000 for a passenger in a car accident
- $3,200,000 for the severe injuries of one driver and the death of his wife
- $2 million for a construction worker who was left with a brain injury after a rear-end car accident
These results reflect the kind of work we put into every case, no matter the dollar amount. Past outcomes do not guarantee a specific result in your case, but they do show what is possible when you have a trial-tested team in your corner. Every client deserves the same level of effort, and that is what we deliver.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Michigan?
Michigan law sets strict deadlines for filing different types of claims, and missing them can mean losing your right to compensation forever. The main deadlines to know are:
- One year to file a claim for PIP (no-fault) benefits with your insurance company
- Three years to file a third-party lawsuit against an at-fault driver under MCL 600.5805
- Three years for wrongful death claims arising from a car accident
These timelines may sound generous, but evidence disappears quickly, witnesses move, and memories fade. The sooner we get involved, the stronger your case will be. Even if you are unsure whether you have a claim, a free consultation costs you nothing and could save you everything.
How Our Michigan Car Accident Lawyers Build Your Case
Every case is different, but the foundation of strong representation is the same. When you hire our firm, here is what we do:
- Listen. We start by hearing your story in your own words and understanding how the crash has affected your life.
- Investigate. We gather police reports, witness statements, photos, video, medical records, and any other evidence we can find.
- Calculate your losses. We work with medical and financial professionals to put a real number on your damages.
- Negotiate aggressively. Most cases settle before trial, and we know how to push insurance companies toward fair offers.
- Try the case if needed. When insurers will not be reasonable, we are not afraid to take your case to court.
This approach has produced results for our clients for more than three decades, and we will bring the same approach to your case from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Michigan Car Accident Lawyers
Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often from people considering hiring a car accident lawyer in Michigan.
At our firm, hiring a car accident lawyer costs you nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. The fee comes out of the settlement or verdict, so there are no out-of-pocket costs while your case is being handled. Initial consultations are always free.
It is generally a good idea to speak with a lawyer before giving any recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that may hurt your claim, even when you are trying to be honest. A lawyer can help protect what you say and make sure your words are not used against you later.
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault for the crash. Your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but partial fault does not automatically end your case. We can review the facts and explain how this rule may apply to you.
Even injuries that seem minor at first can develop into long-term problems, especially with conditions like whiplash, concussions, or back pain. Insurance companies often pressure people to settle quickly before the full extent of injuries becomes clear. Talking to a lawyer early helps protect your rights in case your condition gets worse.
The timeline depends on the complexity of your case, the severity of your injuries, and whether the insurance company is willing to negotiate fairly. Some cases settle within a few months, while others involving serious injuries or disputed liability may take a year or longer. We always work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible without sacrificing the value of your claim.
You may still have options through your own insurance policy, particularly if you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Michigan PIP benefits will also cover many of your medical and wage loss expenses regardless of the other driver’s insurance status. We can review your policy and explain every avenue available to you.
Yes, in most cases. Michigan generally allows three years from the date of the crash to file a third-party lawsuit, and one year to seek PIP benefits. The sooner you act, the better, because evidence and witness memories fade. Even if time has passed, give us a call and let us review your situation.
Talk to a Michigan Car Accident Lawyer Today
You did not ask to be hurt in a car crash, and you should not have to face the road to recovery alone. At Christensen Law, we have been listening to clients, protecting their rights, and winning their cases for more than 30 years.
From our offices in Detroit, Southfield, Ann Arbor, Troy, and Grand Rapids, we are ready to put our experience to work for you.
Your consultation is free, and you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Call the office closest to you or reach out online to get started today:
- Southfield: 248-600-4591
- Detroit: 313-546-1091
- Grand Rapids: 616-512-0718
- Ann Arbor: 734-519-7576
- Troy: 248-233-0684
Contact Christensen Law for Your Free Consultation
