Car accidents in Michigan: what to do and who pays

At the scene and reporting a crash in Michigan

Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.

When to call the police

If anyone is hurt or killed, or total property damage looks like $1,000 or more, you must report the crash right away at the nearest police station or to the nearest police officer. Michigan State Police says crashes not reported right away may or may not get a report, at the agency's discretion.

Damage amount

$1,000

Report to the state

No separate driver report to the Secretary of State. The police agency completes the Traffic Crash Report (UD-10) and sends it to the Michigan State Police.

Law

MCL 257.622

Official text

Read the official text

First 24 hours after a crash in Michigan

Tick the boxes as you go, or print the list and keep it in your glove box.

Insurance system in Michigan

Michigan is a no-fault state for injuries: your own personal injury protection (PIP) pays your first medical bills and lost income, whoever caused the crash. You can sue the other driver for injuries only in some cases, described below.

System

No-fault

PIP, benefits and when you can sue

Every policy must carry PIP, property protection insurance (PPI) and residual liability. For policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2020, you choose a PIP medical limit: unlimited, $500,000, $250,000, $250,000 with exclusions (if you have qualifying health coverage), $50,000 (Medicaid enrollees) or no PIP medical (Medicare Parts A and B). PIP pays your medical bills, lost wages and replacement services no matter who caused the crash. PPI pays up to $1 million for damage your car does in Michigan to other people's property, such as buildings, fences and properly parked cars, but not other damage to cars. You can sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only for death, serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement. For damage to your car not covered by insurance, you can recover up to $3,000 from the at-fault driver (the 'mini-tort', for crashes after July 1, 2020); this case goes to small claims court whenever possible. A lawsuit for PIP benefits must be filed within 1 year after the crash unless you gave written notice of injury to the insurer within that year or it already paid.

Law

MCL 500.3101, 500.3107c, 500.3121, 500.3135, 500.3145

Official text

Read the official text

Compare every state in the no-fault states table.

Who pays: comparative fault in Michigan

Rule

Modified (51% bar)

What it means

In Michigan, your damages are reduced by your share of the fault, and you can't recover at all if you were more than 50% at fault (51% or more).

Law

MCL 600.2959 and MCL 500.3135(2)(b), (4)(a) — damages are cut by your share of fault; if you are more than 50% at fault you get no noneconomic damages (pain and suffering) and no mini-tort recovery, though economic damages in a general tort case are only reduced

Compare every state's rule in the comparative negligence table.

Who pays in Michigan: fault and payout explainer

If both drivers share the blame, your state's comparative-fault rule decides whether you can recover and how much. Enter your share of the fault and your total damages to see what the rule means. This is an illustration, not a prediction: insurers, juries and judges decide the percentages.

Minimum insurance in Michigan

Liability minimum

250/500/10 by default; you may choose lower bodily injury limits of 50/100 on a signed form (MCL 500.3009). Plus PIP and $1 million PPI.

Uninsured / underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)

Not required. DIFS lists uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage among the optional coverages you can choose to buy (DIFS 'Your Guide to Auto Insurance' FAQ).

Official text

Read the official text

Numbers like 25/50/25 mean $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 for all injuries in one crash and $25,000 for property damage. Compare every state in the minimum insurance table.

Getting the police report in Michigan

Michigan traffic crash reports (UD-10) can only be bought online through the Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Purchasing System (TCPS), which now uses a MiLogin account. The fee is $15. Reports usually reach the system 3-30 days after the crash, depending on the police agency. Official info: https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/cjic/traffic-crash-reporting-unit/tcru---frequently-asked-questions

You can also ask by mail with our free police report request letter.

Filing a claim and insurer deadlines in Michigan

How fast insurers must act

PIP benefits are overdue if not paid within 30 days after the insurer gets reasonable proof of the loss, and overdue amounts earn 12% interest a year (MCL 500.3142). For other claims, the insurer must tell you in writing what proof of loss it needs within 30 days, and pay within 60 days after proof of loss, or owe 12% interest; for third-party claims interest applies only if liability is not reasonably in dispute and a court finds bad faith (MCL 500.2006).

Put your claim in writing. Our free insurance claim letter lists your damages and asks for a written answer.

If the other driver has no insurance in Michigan

Driving without no-fault insurance is a misdemeanor: fine of $200 to $500, up to 1 year in jail, or both (MCL 500.3102); DIFS says a court may also suspend your license for 30 days or until you show proof of insurance. An uninsured owner hurt while driving their own car gets no PIP benefits and cannot sue for pain and suffering (MCL 500.3113, 500.3135(2)(c)). If you are hurt and no insurance applies to you, you may apply to the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP); DIFS says MACP medical benefits are capped at $250,000. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, your optional uninsured motorist coverage may pay if you bought it.

Read what to do if you are hit by an uninsured driver.

Deadlines to sue in Michigan

Property damage (your car)

3 years

Injury

3 years

Notes, including claims against a government

Claims against the State of Michigan: file a written claim or notice of intent with the Court of Claims clerk within 6 months for property damage or personal injury (MCL 600.6431(4)). Injury from a defective highway: serve notice on the government agency within 120 days (MCL 691.1404).

Law

MCL 600.5805(2) (injury to a person or property, 3 years); PIP benefits suit: MCL 500.3145 (1 year); PPI benefits suit: 1 year after the crash

The deadline is the statute of limitations. Insurance claims and talks with an adjuster don't stop it. Compare every state in the deadlines table.

Deadline to sue in Michigan

Every state limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after a car crash. This is the statute of limitations. Choose your state, the type of claim and the date of the crash to see the usual deadline and the last day to file. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Small claims for property damage in Michigan

Small claims limit

$7,000 for people and businesses. Mini-tort claims up to $3,000 must be filed in small claims whenever possible.

Michigan small claims guide on Small Claims Map

Small claims court can be a way to recover the cost of repairs from the driver who caused the crash. Read how to use small claims for car damage.

Insurance complaints in Michigan

If an insurer delays, underpays or denies a claim without a good reason, you can file a complaint with the state insurance regulator:

• Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) · 877-999-6442

Free help in Michigan

• Michigan DIFS, auto insurance help and complaints · 877-999-6442
• Michigan State Police, Traffic Crash Reporting Unit (buy a crash report)
• Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (via DIFS information)

Good to know in Michigan

• Michigan's 2019 reform (Public Acts 21 and 22 of 2019) lets drivers choose their PIP medical limit for policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2020 (MCL 500.3107c; DIFS).
• PPI pays up to $1 million for damage your car does to other people's property in Michigan, including a properly parked car (MCL 500.3121; DIFS).
• Mini-tort: you can recover up to $3,000 of uninsured car damage from the at-fault driver, in small claims court whenever possible (MCL 500.3135(3)(e), (4)).

Changes in 2024–2026

The Michigan State Police crash report purchasing system (TCPS) moved to MiLogin accounts; the old TCPS site no longer works (MSP FAQ). No change to minimum limits found for 2024-2026; the 2019 reform's required PIP medical rate reductions run for 8 years (DIFS).

Free letters

Questions about car accidents in Michigan

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