What should I do immediately after a car accident in Michigan?

We won't sugarcoat it — there's no universal answer, and anyone who promises you one is misleading you. But here's an honest framework so you know what to expect:

Factors that affect timeline:

• Severity of injuries — We generally recommend waiting until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) before settling, so you know the full extent of your damages. Settling too early can leave you undercompensated for future medical needs.
• Liability disputes — Clear-cut liability cases move faster. Cases where fault is contested require investigation, depositions, and sometimes trial preparation.
• Insurance company cooperation — Some insurers negotiate in good faith. Others drag their feet deliberately to pressure you into accepting less.
• Court backlogs — If a case goes to litigation, Michigan court schedules affect timing.

General ranges:

• Straightforward claims with clear liability and documented injuries: 6–18 months
• Complex cases involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, or disputed liability: 1–3+ years

‍

Here's something we tell every client: insurance companies are not on your side. They are businesses, and their business model depends on paying you as little as possible. Understanding how they evaluate claims is how you protect yourself.

Insurance adjusters typically look at:

• Medical records and bills — They scrutinize every gap in treatment, every missed appointment, and any pre-existing condition they can use to reduce your damages.
• The nature and severity of your injuries — Soft tissue injuries are routinely minimized; catastrophic injuries like TBIs or amputations are harder to dispute but still fiercely contested.
• Lost wages documentation — They want proof from your employer, tax returns, or pay stubs.
• Liability clarity — The cleaner the liability (e.g., rear-end collision, clear fault), the harder it is for them to fight the claim.
• Your social media — Yes, they look. A single post showing you active after claiming debilitating injuries can tank a case.
• Whether you have an attorney — Studies consistently show that represented claimants receive significantly higher settlements than those who go it alone.

‍

Being struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian is one of the most serious and life-altering events a person can experience. If you're physically able in the aftermath, the steps you take early can make a significant difference in your case:

• Call 911 immediately. Get police and EMS on scene. A police report is a foundational document in your claim.
• Seek emergency medical care — even if you feel "okay." Adrenaline masks pain. Internal injuries and TBIs don't always show up immediately.
• Document the scene. If you can, photograph the vehicle, the driver, the intersection, traffic signals, skid marks, and your injuries.
• Get witness information. Bystanders move on quickly. Names and phone numbers are invaluable.
• Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company — yours or theirs — before speaking with an attorney.
• Preserve your clothing and shoes. They can be physical evidence.

‍

This is exactly the question Uber and Lyft don't want you asking too clearly — because the answer depends on timing, and the answer affects how much they're on the hook for. In Michigan, the short version is:

• Your own PIP coverage (if you have a Michigan auto policy) is typically the first payer for your medical bills and wage loss, regardless of fault — that's Michigan No-Fault law.
• Uber or Lyft's liability insurance may cover damages beyond PIP — including pain and suffering, permanent injury, and excess medical costs — depending on the driver's status at the time of the crash.
• The at-fault driver's insurance (whether that's the rideshare driver or another vehicle) may also be a source of recovery for your pain and suffering if your injuries meet Michigan's threshold for a tort claim.
• The rideshare driver's personal auto insurance may apply in limited situations, though most personal policies exclude commercial activity — which is exactly why rideshare companies offer their own tiered coverage.

‍

Rideshare accidents are more complicated than a typical car accident because multiple insurance policies can come into play — and the rideshare companies have spent considerable resources designing systems that can leave injured passengers confused about where to turn. Here's how it generally breaks down in Michigan:

• If the driver was actively transporting you (you were in the vehicle during a trip), Uber and Lyft both carry $1 million in liability coverage that can apply to your injuries.
• If the driver was waiting for a ride request (app on, no active trip), a lower level of coverage applies — typically around $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident.
• If the driver's app was off entirely, you're dealing with their personal auto insurance only.

Because Michigan is a No-Fault state, your first source of coverage for medical bills and lost wages is typically your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits — or, if you don't have a vehicle, the rideshare driver's PIP coverage may come into play.

‍

A personal injury trial lawyer does far more than file paperwork. We:

• Investigate your accident and gather evidence
• Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies
• Build a compelling case backed by medical experts and specialists
• Go to trial when insurers refuse to offer fair compensation

Most lawyers settle everything — we're built to fight. With over 40 years of experience, Hamo Law goes the distance to make sure you're not left holding the bill for someone else's negligence.

‍

Truck accident cases involve layers that a typical car crash doesn't. Multiple parties can be liable, including:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The cargo loader
• The vehicle manufacturer

There are also federal regulations — such as hours-of-service rules and weight limits — that must be investigated. Evidence like black box data and driver logs can disappear quickly. These are high-stakes cases that require an attorney with serious litigation experience. At Hamo Law, truck accidents are among our most important cases.

‍

Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable people on Michigan roads. The most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Driver inattention — cars failing to see motorcycles in traffic
• Left-turn collisions — vehicles turning into a motorcycle's path
• Unsafe lane changes by larger vehicles
• Road hazards like potholes or debris that are minor for cars but dangerous for bikes
• Speeding or impaired driving by other motorists

In most cases, the motorcyclist isn't at fault — but they pay the heaviest price. We fight to change that.

‍

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) exist on a spectrum. A mild TBI (often called a concussion) may involve brief loss of consciousness, headaches, memory fog, and mood changes — symptoms that can still disrupt your daily life significantly. A severe TBI involves:

• Extended unconsciousness or coma
• Permanent cognitive or physical impairment
• Long-term care needs

Regardless of severity, any TBI deserves prompt medical and legal attention. Insurance companies often downplay these injuries — don't let them.

‍

First things first—make sure everyone is safe and call 911. Get medical attention, even if you think you’re “okay.” We’ve seen too many people try to tough it out, only to discover serious injuries days later.

Then, document what you can: photos, witness names, and the police report. In Michigan, your no-fault benefits are time-sensitive, so notifying your insurance company promptly is critical. This is where we act as your bridge—we step in early to protect your rights while you focus on healing, not paperwork or insurance runarounds.

‍

Not always. Many cases are resolved through settlement, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. That preparation often puts us in a stronger position when negotiating with insurance companies.

‍

Responsibility may extend beyond the driver to include the trucking company, maintenance providers, or even manufacturers. These cases require a detailed investigation, and we take a disciplined approach to uncovering exactly what happened.

‍

The sooner, the better. Early involvement allows us to preserve evidence, handle insurance companies, and avoid common pitfalls. Many clients tell us they wish they had called sooner.

‍

Every case is different, and value depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, medical costs, and how your life has been affected. While no attorney can promise a specific result, we work to fully understand your situation and pursue the maximum recovery available.

‍

Michigan’s No-Fault system means your own insurance typically covers medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. That said, the system has changed, and benefits can be limited or denied. We help make sure you receive the coverage you’re entitled to under the law.

‍

Truck accidents are different—there are often multiple parties involved, including the driver and the trucking company. Evidence can disappear quickly, so it’s important to act fast. We help preserve that evidence and guide you through the process from the very beginning.

‍

First, make sure everyone is safe and seek medical attention—even if injuries seem minor. Then report the accident and avoid giving detailed statements to insurance companies before speaking with an attorney. At our firm, we step in early to handle those conversations so you can focus on recovery.

Coverage for a rideshare crash depends on what the driver was doing at the moment of impact. Uber and Lyft policies are structured around three coverage phases:

• Phase 1 — App off. The driver is not logged in. Only the driver's personal auto insurance applies.
• Phase 2 — App on, waiting for a ride. Uber and Lyft provide limited contingent liability coverage (typically $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage), often only after the driver's personal insurer denies the claim.
• Phase 3 — Trip accepted or passenger on board. Uber and Lyft maintain a $1,000,000 third-party liability policy, plus uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, while the trip is active.

Identifying the correct phase — and the correct insurer — is decisive. Screenshots of the trip, app data, and the driver's status at the moment of the crash are critical evidence. Whether you were the passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian, Hamo Law can help you sort through the layers of coverage. Call 810-234-3667 for a free consultation.

Michigan's No-Fault Act treats motorcycles differently from cars and trucks. A motorcycle is not a "motor vehicle" under the No-Fault Act, so motorcyclists cannot collect Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits from their own motorcycle policy. Instead, an injured rider's PIP coverage usually comes from one of these sources, in priority order:

• The auto insurance policy of the rider (if they own a car as well).
• The auto insurance of a resident relative living in the same household.
• The insurer of the at-fault motor vehicle involved in the crash.
• The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP) as a last resort.

A motorcyclist injured by another driver may also bring a third-party claim against the at-fault motorist for pain and suffering and excess economic damages, subject to Michigan's serious-impairment threshold. Determining which insurer is on the hook for PIP is one of the first issues in any Michigan motorcycle case. Call 810-234-3667 for a free consultation.

Crashes involving commercial trucks raise legal, regulatory, and evidentiary issues that simply do not exist in a typical car accident. Several factors drive that complexity:

• Multiple potentially liable parties. Liability may extend to the driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, a maintenance contractor, or a parts manufacturer.
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Hours-of-service limits, electronic logging device requirements, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle inspections, and CDL standards create powerful sources of evidence when violated.
• Time-sensitive evidence. Driver logs, ELD data, dashcam footage, and onboard "black box" data can be overwritten or destroyed quickly without a preservation letter.
• Higher insurance limits and corporate defense teams ready to dispatch investigators within hours of a serious crash.
• More severe injuries. Size and weight disparities mean catastrophic harm and large damages that defendants fight hard to limit.

Acting fast to preserve evidence and assert your rights is essential. Call 810-234-3667 for a free consultation.

Establishing fault in a Michigan car accident is the foundation of any third-party claim for pain and suffering or excess economic damages. Insurers and courts typically look at:

• The police accident report (UD-10), including the responding officer's narrative and any traffic citations issued.
• Physical evidence at the scene — vehicle damage patterns, debris fields, skid marks, and roadway conditions.
• Eyewitness statements from drivers, passengers, and bystanders.
• Photos, dashcam footage, and surveillance video from nearby businesses or traffic cameras.
• Vehicle event data recorder ("black box") downloads and cell phone records when distraction is at issue.
• Accident reconstruction analysis in cases involving disputed liability or serious injury.

Michigan follows a modified comparative fault rule: an injured driver who is more than 50% at fault is barred from recovering non-economic damages. If you are 50% or less at fault, your recovery for pain and suffering is reduced by your percentage of fault. That makes it critical to investigate and document the crash before evidence disappears. Call 810-234-3667 for a free case review.

In Michigan, a catastrophic injury is one that causes long-term or permanent impairment, dramatically alters the victim's life, and typically requires extensive medical care. Common examples include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and severe concussions with lasting cognitive effects.
• Spinal cord injuries, paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia), and serious neck or back trauma.
• Amputations or loss of use of a limb.
• Severe burns, disfigurement, and permanent scarring.
• Multiple bone fractures or internal organ damage requiring surgery.
• Vision or hearing loss resulting from the incident.

Under Michigan's No-Fault Act, victims who suffer a serious impairment of body function may also pursue a third-party claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, lost wages beyond statutory limits, and other non-economic damages. Because catastrophic cases often involve lifetime care, lost earning capacity, and complex medical evidence, it is critical to work with attorneys experienced in valuing and litigating these claims.

Under the Michigan Wrongful Death Act, the claim is typically brought by the estate's personal representative on behalf of eligible family members — generally spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings. Recoverable damages can include:

• Medical, hospital, funeral, and burial expenses tied to the incident and death.
• Conscious pain and suffering the decedent experienced between the injury and death.
• Lost financial support the decedent would have provided to the family.
• Loss of society and companionship, including guidance, care, and affection.
• Exemplary damages in appropriate cases for mental anguish and related harm.

Wrongful death claims can arise from auto, truck, and motorcycle crashes, medical malpractice, unsafe property conditions, dog attacks, defective products, and other negligent acts. Strict deadlines apply — contact an attorney promptly. Call 810-234-3667 for a free consultation.

Michigan operates under a No-Fault auto insurance system, which means that after most automobile, truck, and motorcycle crashes, injured people first turn to their own insurer for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits — regardless of who caused the collision.

PIP benefits may cover reasonable and necessary medical expenses, wage loss, replacement (household) services, attendant care, and medical mileage. These first-party benefits are subject to strict written-notice and documentation requirements.

Separately, if you were seriously injured by another driver's negligence, you may also bring a third-party claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and excess economic loss. To recover those non-economic damages, you must meet Michigan's tort threshold, which generally requires showing death, serious impairment of a body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.

Because the No-Fault system is highly technical and insurers routinely deny or underpay valid claims, experienced counsel can make a significant difference. Call 810-234-3667 for a free consultation.

The steps you take in the hours and days following an accident can have a major impact on both your health and your legal case. We recommend the following:

• Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor — some symptoms appear days later, and prompt care creates a clear medical record linking the incident to your injury.
• Document the scene with photos and video of the location, any hazards, vehicle damage, visible injuries, and weather or lighting conditions.
• Get contact information for witnesses, and — in vehicle crashes — for other drivers and their insurance.
• Report the incident to the police, property manager, or other appropriate authority and request a copy of any report.
• Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster, and do not sign a release or settlement document, until you have spoken with an attorney.
• Preserve evidence, including damaged clothing, footwear, vehicles, or the product involved.
• Contact an experienced injury attorney before critical deadlines and evidence disappear.

Call 810-234-3667 to speak with Hamo Law Firm about your case.

Michigan's deadlines for filing a claim — known as the statute of limitations — vary depending on the type of case:

• Most negligence-based personal injury claims, including many auto, truck, motorcycle, premises liability, and dog bite cases, must be filed within three (3) years of the date of injury.
• Medical malpractice claims generally must be filed within two (2) years of the act or omission, or six (6) months from the date the injury was (or should have been) discovered, whichever is later — subject to an overall six-year cap in most situations.
• Wrongful death claims are generally governed by the statute of limitations that would have applied to the underlying injury.
• No-Fault PIP benefits and dram shop claims carry their own short written-notice requirements that can be as brief as 120 days.

Missing a deadline can bar your claim entirely. If you think you may have a case, contact an attorney as soon as possible. Call 810-234-3667 for a free consultation.

At Hamo Law Firm, we handle personal injury matters on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front and owe no attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial case review is always free and confidential, so you can speak with an attorney about the facts of your case and your legal options without any financial risk.

This applies across all of our practice areas — automobile, truck and motorcycle crashes, medical malpractice, premises liability, dog bites, wrongful death, No-Fault disputes, and other serious injury matters. Call 810-234-3667 to schedule a free consultation.