Michigan Personal Injury Laws, Deadlines and Local Guides

Personal injury claims in Michigan

This is the Michigan hub of the Ask Legal Matters injury law guides. It summarizes the rules that apply to every injury claim in the state and links to local guides for 365 Michigan communities, each with pages on car, truck, motorcycle and pedestrian accidents, slip and fall injuries, workplace injuries and workers' compensation, medical malpractice and wrongful death.

Michigan gives injured people three years to file most personal injury lawsuits (MCL 600.5805(2)) and a different deadline for medical malpractice (two years). The state follows modified comparative negligence (51% bar): you can recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, and your award is reduced by your share of fault. Michigan is a no-fault auto insurance state, so PIP benefits pay first after a crash. Injury cases are tried in the Circuit Court of the county where the accident happened, and work injuries must be reported to your employer within 90 days (MCL 418.381).

Michigan injury law at a glance

Personal injury deadline: three years from the injury (MCL 600.5805(2))
Medical malpractice deadline: two years (discovery-rule exceptions)
Fault rule: modified comparative negligence (51% bar)
Auto insurance: No-fault (PIP pays first)
Minimum auto liability: 50/100/10
Trial court: County Circuit Court
Workers' compensation: Michigan Workers' Disability Compensation Agency
Workers' comp claim deadline: About two years

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Michigan injury guides by county

Every Michigan county has its own page covering the county court, the state rules and every community in the county, large or small.

Largest communities in Michigan

More Michigan city guides: Jackson, MI, Midland, MI.

Michigan cities with the most fatal crashes, 2019-2023

These Michigan communities recorded the most fatal crashes coded to them in NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System from 2019 through 2023. Each community page breaks down its own numbers by year, time of day and road.

Michigan claims by injury type

Read the statute of limitations overview for every state for a side-by-side comparison of filing deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan?

Generally three years from the date of injury (MCL 600.5805(2)). Medical malpractice claims generally must be filed within two years, and claims against government entities require a notice of claim much sooner.

What happens if I was partly at fault in Michigan?

Michigan applies modified comparative negligence (51% bar): you can recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, and your award is reduced by your share of fault.

Is Michigan a no-fault state?

Yes. Your own PIP coverage pays first after a car accident, and lawsuits against the at-fault driver are limited to serious injuries.

Where are injury lawsuits filed in Michigan?

In the Circuit Court of the county where the accident happened or where the defendant resides. Claims against out-of-state companies may be removed to federal court.

How do I find a personal injury lawyer near me in Michigan?

Choose your county or community below for local information, or click the free claim review button; your request may be shared with independent attorneys and legal services partners who handle inquiries in Michigan.

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Ready to share what happened in Michigan?

Click here for a free claim review — submit accident details

Ask Legal Matters is a lead-generation service, not a law firm. Submitting a request does not hire an attorney. Review the contact consent and privacy policy on the form before submitting.