If you’ve been hurt in a crash — or you know someone who has — car accident injury claims in Michigan work differently than in most states. The no-fault system means your own insurance pays your medical bills first, regardless of who caused the crash. But collecting full compensation, especially for serious injuries, requires steps most people don’t know about. This post walks through exactly what to do, using a recent high-profile crash as the starting point.
What Happened to Zach Linfield
Zach Linfield, the PA announcer for the University of Michigan and the Detroit Tigers, was injured in a car crash following an MSU game, as reported by ClickOnDetroit / WDIV Local 4. Details on the crash’s exact location and cause were still emerging at the time of publication. What we do know is that crashes after major sporting events are common in the metro Detroit area — post-game traffic on roads like M-59, I-96, and US-23 creates congestion, distracted driving, and sometimes drunk drivers mixing in with departing crowds.
Linfield’s name is well known to Tigers fans and anyone who’s sat in the Big House. When someone like that gets hurt, it’s a reminder that crashes don’t sort by status. They happen to anyone, anywhere, any night.
If you’re dealing with a crash right now — as a driver, a passenger injured in a car accident, or a family member trying to figure out next steps — here’s what the law actually requires and what you should do.
Car Accident Injury Claims in Michigan: The Short Version
Michigan is a no-fault state. Under MCL 500.3107, your own auto insurance covers your medical bills, lost wages, and replacement services — no matter who caused the crash. That coverage is called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP.
But no-fault has limits. To sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering — what lawyers call non-economic damages — your injury has to clear the threshold set by MCL 500.3135. The injury must be serious: death, permanent disfigurement, or serious impairment of a body function. If your injuries are real but don’t meet that threshold, your recovery is limited to your PIP benefits.
That’s one reason why how you document your injuries from day one matters so much. A claim that isn’t documented properly can look smaller than it is — even when the pain is real.
Our Detroit car accidents lawyer page has more on how Michigan’s no-fault rules apply to crashes in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.
What to Do After a Crash in the Detroit Area
The first hours after a crash feel chaotic. Here’s a clear order of operations:
- Get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel okay, adrenaline masks injury. Soft-tissue damage, concussions, and internal injuries often don’t show up until hours or days later. A same-day visit to an ER or urgent care creates a medical record tied to the crash date — that record matters.
- Call the police. A police report establishes what happened and who was involved. In Michigan, crashes involving injury must be reported. Get the report number before you leave the scene.
- Document everything at the scene. Photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries. Get names and phone numbers of witnesses before they leave.
- Notify your own insurance company. Under Michigan no-fault law, you’re required to notify your insurer promptly. Don’t give a recorded statement yet — just report the crash.
- Don’t sign anything from the other driver’s insurance. A quick settlement offer in the first few days is almost always worth less than a fully documented claim. Once you sign a release, it’s final.
- Talk to a Michigan car accident attorney before you decide anything. This is especially true if you were transported by ambulance, missed work, or expect ongoing treatment.
According to NHTSA crash data, Michigan consistently ranks among states with higher rates of serious injury crashes per licensed driver. Post-event traffic corridors — the kind Zach Linfield was likely traveling after the MSU game — carry real risk.
If You Were a Passenger, Your Rights Are the Same
Passengers sometimes assume they have fewer options. That’s not true. A passenger injured in a car accident in Michigan has the same right to PIP benefits as the driver — through either the driver’s policy or their own household policy. And passengers can sue the at-fault driver for non-economic damages if the injury is serious enough under MCL 500.3135.
What passengers often don’t do is document their injuries carefully, because they weren’t driving and assume the driver is handling everything. Don’t assume that. Your claim is your own, and you need to protect it separately.
For more on how Michigan’s no-fault rules play out in practice, the Detroit auto injury claim process post breaks it down step by step.
What Slows Down or Kills a Car Accident Claim
Several things consistently damage otherwise valid claims:
- Gaps in medical treatment. If you stop going to doctor’s appointments, insurers argue you must be better. Keep your appointments.
- Social media posts. A photo of you at a family event gets used to argue your injuries aren’t serious. Lock down your accounts after a crash.
- Recorded statements. The other driver’s insurance company will call and sound friendly. Their job is to get you to say something that reduces your claim. You don’t have to talk to them.
- Missing the statute of limitations. Under MCL 600.5805(2), you have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan. Three years sounds like a long time. It goes fast when you’re managing recovery, medical bills, and work.
- Not reading your PIP coverage level. Michigan’s 2019 no-fault reform let drivers choose lower PIP coverage levels. If you chose a lower tier, your medical coverage may be capped. Know what you have.
Dealing with the insurance side of things is its own challenge. Our post on handling insurance companies after a Detroit crash covers the tactics adjusters use and how to respond.
The Roads Around Game-Day Corridors in Metro Detroit
Crashes spike around major sporting events. US-23 south toward Ann Arbor, I-96 east toward Detroit, and M-59 across Oakland and Macomb counties all see heavier post-game traffic — and more impaired or distracted drivers. The most dangerous roads and intersections in metro Detroit post documents where crashes concentrate in this region.
That context matters for a claim. Where a crash happened, what traffic conditions were like, and whether any other contributing factors were present — road design, signals, construction — can all affect who bears liability.
How Settlement Amounts Are Calculated
There’s no fixed formula, but car accident injury claims in Michigan typically account for:
- Medical expenses — past bills and estimated future treatment
- Lost wages — time you couldn’t work while recovering
- Replacement services — if you couldn’t do household tasks (Michigan no-fault covers this under MCL 500.3107)
- Non-economic damages — pain and suffering, if the threshold under MCL 500.3135 is met
- Property damage — vehicle repair or replacement
For a detailed look at how crash settlements are valued in Wayne County and surrounding areas, see our post on car crash injury settlements in Detroit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan’s no-fault law mean I can’t sue the other driver?
Not exactly. No-fault means your own insurer pays your medical bills and lost wages first, regardless of fault. But you can still sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering if your injury is serious — meaning death, permanent disfigurement, or serious impairment of a body function, as defined by MCL 500.3135. The threshold is real, but many significant injuries clear it.
What if I was a passenger and I don’t have my own auto insurance?
You still have access to PIP benefits. Michigan’s no-fault priority rules determine which policy pays first — usually the driver’s policy, or in some cases the policy of the vehicle’s owner. The rules can get complicated quickly, especially if multiple vehicles were involved. An attorney can sort out which insurer is responsible before you file.
How long do I have to file a claim after a Michigan car crash?
For a personal injury lawsuit, MCL 600.5805(2) gives you three years from the date of the crash. For PIP benefits, you generally must notify your insurer within one year of the accident or risk losing those benefits. Don’t wait on either one.
The other driver’s insurance offered me a quick settlement. Should I take it?
Not without understanding what you’re giving up. Early settlement offers almost never account for future medical treatment, long-term wage loss, or the full value of your injury. Once you sign a release, the case is closed. Talk to an attorney before you sign anything.
What if the crash happened at night or in a confusing traffic situation and I’m not sure who was at fault?
Fault in Michigan crashes is established through police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and sometimes accident reconstruction. You don’t need to know who was at fault on the night of the crash. Document everything you can and let the investigation follow. An attorney can help gather evidence before it disappears.
How much does it cost to hire a Detroit car accident lawyer?
Most personal injury attorneys in Michigan, including Khamo Law, work on a contingency fee — meaning you pay nothing unless there’s a recovery. The fee comes out of the settlement or verdict, not out of pocket. There’s no cost to have a consultation and understand your options.
If you’ve been hurt in a crash — or someone you care about was — talk to us before you sign anything or give a recorded statement. Khamo Law, PLLC offers a free consultation with attorneys who know Michigan’s no-fault system and have handled car accident injury claims across the Detroit metro area. Call 248-466-0606 or reach us through the contact form on our website. We serve Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. نتحدث العربية ونقدم خدماتنا للمجتمع الكلداني والآشوري في منطقة ديترويت.