--- title: "Michigan Car Accident Laws: Your Questions Answered" url: https://callsam.com/blog/michigan-car-accident-laws/ description: "Michigan is still a No-Fault state. See when you can sue, the three-year deadline, comparative fault, PIP choices, and hit-and-run penalties." lastModified: 2026-10-11 --- # Michigan Car Accident Laws: Your Questions Answered Published: March 31, 2021 After a crash you may not know who pays the medical bills or whether you can sue. Michigan’s [No-Fault](https://callsam.com/michigan-no-fault-law/) rules and third-party negligence rules both apply. Hiring [experienced injury lawyers](https://callsam.com/case-types/car-accidents/) does not guarantee a result, but it does put someone on the deadlines, the evidence and the insurers. Here are common questions about Michigan car accident law. ## WHAT IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION UNDER MICHIGAN CAR ACCIDENT LAW? A third-party lawsuit is a negligence case. The injured person generally must show: - **Duty:** Every driver must operate with reasonable care and follow the traffic code. - **Breach:** The other driver fell short of that duty. Proof can include the police report, tickets, witnesses, photos and vehicle data. - **Cause:** That breach caused the injuries, not only a pre-existing condition. - **Damages:** There must be actual harm. For noneconomic damages (pain and suffering), Michigan also requires a [threshold injury](https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-500-3135): death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement. Ordinary scrapes and bruises usually are not enough. PIP medical, wage-loss and replacement benefits come from No-Fault first, regardless of fault (subject to the policy and the statute). ## CAN YOU SUE FOR A CAR ACCIDENT IN MICHIGAN? Yes, when the facts fit. A lawyer will look at fault, whether the injury meets the threshold, remaining medical and wage loss above PIP, and the other driver’s liability limits. A lawsuit against an at-fault driver is how you pursue noneconomic damages and economic losses PIP does not cover. ## WHAT HAPPENS IF I LEAVE THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT BEFORE POLICE ARRIVE IN MICHIGAN? Leaving the scene is a crime. See [hit-and-run](https://callsam.com/blog/hit-and-run-accident-in-michigan/) for the full breakdown: - Property damage only: misdemeanor, up to 90 days in jail and/or a $100 fine - Injury (not serious impairment or death): misdemeanor, up to one year and/or $1,000, plus possible license suspension - Serious impairment or death: felony; up to five years and/or $5,000, or up to 15 years and/or $10,000 if someone died Stay until police arrive unless you are taken to the hospital or you must leave a dangerous scene and call from safety. ## IS MICHIGAN STILL A NO-FAULT STATE? Yes. Owners must keep No-Fault on vehicles that are driven. You look to your own insurer (or the vehicle’s policy) for PIP, regardless of fault. Since July 1, 2020, PIP **medical** can be unlimited, $500,000, $250,000, $50,000 (Medicaid households) or, for some Medicare households, an opt-out. Limited or opted-out medical can leave large bills unless a third-party claim is available. ## CAN I RECEIVE COMPENSATION IF THE CAR ACCIDENT WAS PARTLY MY FAULT IN MICHIGAN? Michigan uses **modified comparative fault**. If you are **50% or more** at fault, you cannot recover noneconomic damages. If you are less than 50% at fault, noneconomic damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. Example: a $100,000 noneconomic award with 30% fault becomes $70,000. PIP benefits still come from the policy, regardless of who caused the crash. Excess economic claims can also be reduced by fault. ## DO I NEED A LAWYER FOR MY CAR ACCIDENT CASE IN MICHIGAN? You are not required to hire one, but [car accident lawyers](https://callsam.com/case-types/car-accidents/) handle PIP paperwork, the one-year PIP notice and three-year lawsuit clocks, medical proof, and talks with the other insurer. They can try the case if it does not settle. ## PUT OUR EXPERIENCED CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS TO WORK FOR YOU TODAY If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, we can help. Our legal team has the experience and resources to pursue the compensation you deserve. Car accident law is complicated, but finding the right [Michigan car accident lawyer](https://callsam.com/case-types/car-accidents/) is simple. Get your case started today by filling out the brief form below or contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. ## Related Posts ### [How Are Michigan Car Accident Lawyer Fees Determined?](https://callsam.com/blog/car-accident-lawyer-fees/) ### [Taking a Memorial Day Road Trip? 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