Ann Arbor Car Accident Lawyers

An Ann Arbor car accident lawyer helps people injured in auto crashes on I-94, US-23, Washtenaw Avenue, State Street, and other Washtenaw County roads recover compensation under Michigan's No-Fault law (MCL 500.3101 et seq.) and through third-party liability claims against at-fault drivers. Michigan's 2019 No-Fault Reform changed the PIP tier structure and introduced a 56-hour cap on family-provided attendant care. When injuries meet Michigan's serious impairment threshold under McCormick v. Carrier (487 Mich. 180), victims can pursue pain and suffering, full lost earning capacity, and damages beyond what No-Fault PIP covers. The Michigan Legal Center has recovered more than $300 million for Michigan accident victims. Free consultations are available 24/7 at (734) 882-2646.

You Did Not Ask for This. The Insurance Company Was Ready.

Most Ann Arbor residents learn too late: Michigan's car insurance industry is designed to minimize payouts. It also prolongs the resolution process. This creates a significant gap in protection for accident victims.

Within hours of a significant crash, the insurance company opens a claims file. They assign an adjuster and generate an initial valuation of your injuries. This happens before you receive a full diagnosis, before your prognosis is known, and before anyone on their side has an honest idea of your actual recovery costs.

The insurance company's first offer is not a fair assessment of what you are owed. It is a test to see whether you know the difference.

Michigan's No-Fault law is genuinely complex, and this complexity has increased since the 2019 reform reshaped the PIP tier structure and changed how claims are evaluated. The interplay among your own insurance, the at-fault driver's coverage, and Michigan's serious impairment threshold creates a legal picture that most people lack the tools to navigate on their own. That is exactly the gap the Michigan Legal Center exists to close.

Why an Ann Arbor Car Accident Case Is More Complicated Than Most People Expect

Michigan has one of the most complex auto-accident claim systems in the country. Here is what your case involves from the day it occurs:

Michigan No-Fault Law: Your First Source of Benefits, and Why It Is Just the Beginning

Michigan operates under a No-Fault insurance system (MCL 500.3101 et seq.), in which your own insurance policy is your first source of benefits after any auto accident, regardless of who caused the crash. Through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, your insurer pays for medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, and replacement services for household tasks you can no longer perform.

This is not a settlement. It is not compensation for pain and suffering. It is a first-benefit system designed to keep you financially stable while resolving the larger question of accountability. The two tracks run simultaneously and independently, and their interaction can dramatically affect your total recovery.

The 2019 No-Fault Reform: What Changed and Why It Affects Your Specific Claim

Prior to July 2, 2020, Michigan required all drivers to carry unlimited PIP coverage. This changed with Public Act 21 of 2019. Today, Michigan drivers choose from a menu of PIP tiers:

• Unlimited PIP (available to all drivers; the pre-reform default)
• $500,000 per-person PIP
• $250,000 per-person PIP
• $50,000 per-person PIP (available to Medicaid recipients who meet eligibility requirements)
• PIP medical opt-out (available only to Medicare enrollees enrolled for at least two years)

If you were injured after July 2, 2020, your policy's tier and the at-fault driver's policy tier are both material facts in your case. Your policy's tier determines the cap on your medical benefits from your own insurer. The reform also introduced provider fee schedules and limited family-provided attendant care to 56 hours per week for claims filed after July 2020.

The Serious Impairment Threshold: What It Takes to Sue the At-Fault Driver Directly

Under Michigan law (MCL 500.3135), car accident victims cannot sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and non-economic damages unless their injuries meet a "serious impairment of body function" threshold. The Michigan Supreme Court's 2010 decision in McCormick v. Carrier, 487 Mich. 180, established the current three-part test:

1. The impairment must be objectively visible or otherwise observable.
2. It must affect an important body function
3. It must affect the person's general ability to lead their normal life

Whether your injuries meet this threshold is one of the first questions we evaluate in every case because the answer determines the structure of what your claim can recover.

Two Claims Running at the Same Time, From Two Different Sources

Navigating a serious car accident in Ann Arbor means managing two simultaneous, yet distinct, legal tracks: a No-Fault PIP claim with your insurer and a third-party liability claim against the at-fault driver. While separate, their interaction through coordination of benefits and subrogation rights can significantly impact your total recovery, highlighting why expert legal guidance is crucial.

This is exactly where having a lawyer who knows Michigan law specifically makes a material difference in your outcome.

At The Michigan Legal Center, our strength lies in our dedicated team of legal professionals, led by Christopher Trainor. With decades of combined experience, our attorneys are not just legal experts; they are fierce advocates committed to securing justice for car accident victims across Michigan. We believe in a client-centered approach that combines deep legal knowledge with compassionate support, ensuring you feel understood and empowered throughout your legal journey.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Ann Arbor: The Steps That Protect Your Case

The decisions made in the first few hours after a car accident in Ann Arbor have a direct effect on the strength of your claim. Here is what to do, in order:

1. Call 911 and remain at the scene. Michigan law requires drivers to remain at the scene of an accident. The police report generated by the Ann Arbor Police Department or the Washtenaw County Sheriff is a foundational document in your claim. It establishes the basic facts, captures the initial account of all parties, and triggers the No-Fault claim process. Do not leave before a report is filed, even in crashes that appear minor.
2. Seek medical attention the same day, even if you feel okay. Traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and cervical spine damage often don't present immediate symptoms. Seeking immediate evaluation creates a documented medical record connected to the crash date, which is crucial because adjusters often use gaps between the accident and your first medical visit to minimize what they owe you. University of Michigan Hospital (Michigan Medicine) and St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor are both capable of handling trauma evaluations the same day as the crash.
3. Document everything you can safely photograph. Both vehicles, the damage, your visible injuries, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and the surrounding area should be photographed. On Washtenaw Avenue, State Street, and the commercial corridors near US-23, note the name of the nearest business. Many businesses and gas stations along these corridors have exterior cameras, and their footage overwrites every 7 to 14 days. MDOT and the City of Ann Arbor also operate traffic cameras at high-volume intersections. That footage disappears fast.
4. Collect the other driver's information and any witness contacts. Name, address, phone number, driver's license number, insurance company, and policy number. For witnesses, name and contact number. Do not rely on the police report alone. Witness details are sometimes incomplete in reports filed at busy crash scenes on I-94 or Washtenaw Avenue.
5. Absolutely DO NOT provide a recorded statement to any insurance company, including your own, before speaking with us. Michigan's No-Fault law requires you to cooperate with your PIP insurer; however, the timing and format of that cooperation are governed by rules that an attorney can help you navigate. The at-fault driver's insurer has no right to a recorded statement from you. Refer all contact to us.
6. Stay off social media completely until your case is resolved. Defense investigators routinely monitor claimants' accounts after a crash. A single photo of you at a Michigan football game or walking downtown three weeks after the accident can be decontextualized and used to challenge the severity of your injuries.
7. Call the Michigan Legal Center at (248) 886-8650. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and begin working on your case the same day you call. Your No-Fault PIP application must typically be filed within one year of the crash (MCL 500.3145). The third-party liability claim has a three-year statute of limitations. However, the evidence, camera footage, and witnesses who were on Washtenaw Avenue or I-94 when your accident occurred are far more recent than either of those deadlines.

What the Insurance Company Is Already Doing. What We Do Instead.

Auto insurance companies do not wait. The moment a significant claim opens, they activate a system specifically designed to minimize their ultimate payout.

The insurance company's advantage is its vast experience. Our advantage is the same: we leverage our experience to anticipate their moves, ensuring your case stays one step ahead. Call (248) 886-8650 before you give them what they ask for.

What Causes Most Car Accidents in Ann Arbor and on Washtenaw County Roads

Car accidents in Ann Arbor do not occur at random. They occur because of specific conditions on specific roads and specific decisions by drivers who should have known better. In the cases we investigated, the cause almost always traces to something preventable. Understanding that cause is the foundation of the accountability case.

I-94 and US-23 High-Speed Interchange Crashes

The I-94 and US-23 interchange in Ann Arbor is one of the highest-volume and highest-risk crash corridors in Washtenaw County. I-94 carries heavy east–west traffic along the southern edge of Ann Arbor, with ramp weaves, lane merges, and speed differentials that create dangerous conditions during peak commute hours and on University of Michigan football game days, when traffic surges dramatically on both interstates. US-23 between I-94 and M-14 concentrates the north–south flow through the city and is a documented rear-end and sideswipe crash corridor, particularly near the Plymouth Road exit.

At highway speeds, the severity of any impact is magnified. Event data recorder (EDR) data from the at-fault vehicle captures the pre-impact speed and brake application in the seconds leading up to a crash. We obtain this data in every interstate crash case.

Washtenaw Avenue Commercial Corridor Crash Patterns

Washtenaw Avenue between downtown Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti carries a significant daily traffic volume across a stretch dense with commercial access drives, gas stations, strip malls, and fast-food exits. The crash pattern on this corridor mirrors that observed on M-59 in Oakland County: drivers pulling left across traffic to reach or exit commercial driveways, abrupt merges from access points into 45-mph traffic, and poorly judged turning movements across high-speed lanes.

When the driver who caused your crash was exiting a commercial driveway on Washtenaw Avenue or failing to yield from a side street, the liability question was grounded in a clear duty: they were required to yield to oncoming traffic, and they did not. We immediately secure critical business camera footage, often the most valuable evidence for establishing what happened, before it disappears quickly.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Strikes Near the University of Michigan Campus

Ann Arbor has one of the highest pedestrian and cyclist densities in Michigan, concentrated in and around the University of Michigan (U-M) campus on State Street, South University Avenue, and the central campus corridors. The combination of high vehicle traffic, student pedestrian activity, delivery vehicles making stops, and cyclists operating in mixed traffic creates a concentrated crash risk unlike that of most Michigan cities. Michigan law (MCL 257.612) requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. Violations of this duty, whether from distraction, failure to check for pedestrians, or deliberate disregard of crosswalk activity, can constitute negligence per se.

Game days amplify every crash risk near the U-M campus. Michigan Stadium holds more than 107,000 people. On home game weekends, the volume of pedestrian and vehicle traffic on State Street, Stadium Boulevard, and the surrounding grid produces conditions that require heightened driver attention. When a driver fails to account for these conditions, the circumstances of the event are part of the liability picture.

Distracted Driving on Ann Arbor Surface Streets

Michigan's law (MCL 257.602b) prohibits the use of handheld mobile devices while driving. On Ann Arbor's surface streets, where pedestrian density is high and intersections are frequent, the consequences of a driver looking at a phone for two seconds can be severe. Rear-end crashes at Plymouth Road signals. Pedestrian strikes at crosswalks on State Street. Side-swipe collisions on Packard Street when drivers drift without checking their mirrors.

When distracted driving caused or contributed to the crash that injured you, establishing that distraction is central to building the liability case. We subpoena phone records, request dashcam and business camera footage, and analyze pre-impact physical evidence to establish what the at-fault driver was doing in the seconds before impact.

Left-Turn Failures at High-Traffic Ann Arbor Intersections

The driver making a left turn bears the legal duty to yield to all oncoming traffic. Failures at intersections on Washtenaw Avenue, Plymouth Road, and Packard Street — due to obscured sightlines, misjudged speed, or distraction — produce T-bone and angled collisions. These are statistically among the most severe intersection crash types in Washtenaw County, and most vehicles' door-and-pillar structures are ill-equipped to absorb them.

Serious injuries from left-turn crashes include pelvic fractures, thoracic spine damage, splenic rupture, and traumatic brain injury. When a left-turn crash produces serious injuries in Ann Arbor, we immediately evaluate the intersection geometry: whether sightlines were adequate, whether signal timing contributed, and whether the turning driver had any basis for their judgment.

Rideshare and Delivery Vehicle Crashes in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor's high student population, dense campus core, and active restaurant and retail scene make it one of the highest-volume rideshare and delivery vehicle markets in Michigan. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Amazon drivers operate intensively on State Street, South University, and throughout the campus-adjacent neighborhoods. The stop-and-pull movements, frequent double-parking, and abrupt lane changes that characterize high-density delivery traffic create recurring crash patterns.

When the driver who caused your crash was operating a rideshare or delivery vehicle, the liability question is more complex than that in a standard two-party crash. The employment relationship between the driver and the platform company, the driver's status at the time of the crash (active delivery, en route to pickup, or personal use), and the platform company's insurance structure all affect which policies apply and who is accountable. We investigate this structure for every rideshare and delivery crash case from its inception.

Winter Road Conditions on Ann Arbor Streets and Washtenaw County Roads

Washtenaw County winters produce road conditions that drivers are legally required to account for. Ice on I-94 overpasses south of Ann Arbor. Snow-packed intersections on Packard Street and Stadium Boulevard. Black ice on US-23 in late fall and early winter. Michigan courts have recognized that driving at the posted speed limit in adverse winter conditions that demand reduced speed constitutes negligence.

When a Michigan driver fails to adjust for conditions that any Washtenaw County driver in January should have anticipated, we frame that failure precisely: not as an unavoidable accident, but as a decision whose foreseeable consequences caused your injuries.

Who Can Be Held Responsible After an Ann Arbor Car Accident

In many cases, securing full compensation means looking beyond just the driver to identify all responsible parties. This comprehensive approach unlocks every potential source of recovery, ensuring your claim is not limited to partial justice.

• The at-fault driver: Negligence by the driver who caused the crash is the starting point in every case. Speeding on I-94, running a red light on State Street, failing to yield from a driveway on Washtenaw Avenue, and driving while impaired are all breaches of the duty of care that every Michigan driver owes to every other person on the road. When the at-fault driver violates a Michigan traffic statute, that violation can constitute negligence per se.
• The at-fault driver's employer: When the driver who caused your crash was operating a vehicle in the course and scope of their employment, their employer is vicariously liable under respondeat superior. Delivery drivers, rideshare drivers on active trips, service technicians, contractors, and anyone operating a company vehicle on a work errand are covered. Additionally, if the employer knew the driver had a history of unsafe driving and allowed them to operate anyway, that is negligent entrustment: an independent basis for employer liability.
• Rideshare or delivery platform companies: Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Amazon Logistics each carry commercial insurance policies that may apply depending on the driver's status at the time of the crash. Understanding which policy applies and how to make a claim against it requires knowledge of the specific platform's insurance structure. We routinely handle rideshare and delivery platform claims.
• A vehicle owner who entrusted their car to a negligent driver: Under MCL 257.401, a Michigan vehicle owner is liable for damages caused by a driver they permitted to operate the vehicle. When someone lends a car to a driver who should not have been behind the wheel due to a known history of impaired driving or a suspended license, permitting that use supports the owner's liability.
• A vehicle or parts manufacturer: When a crash is caused or worsened by a defective vehicle component, brake failure, steering system failure, or airbag non-deployment, the manufacturer may be liable under Michigan product liability law (MCL 600.2946). These claims require the prompt preservation of the vehicle before it is repaired or disposed of.
• City of Ann Arbor, MDOT, or Washtenaw County Road Commission: When a crash was caused or contributed to by a defective road condition, failed traffic signal, unrepaired pothole, or known sight line obstruction, a government liability claim may be available under MCL 691.1402. These claims carry strict, short-notice requirements, sometimes as brief as 120 days from the crash date. If road conditions were a factor in what happened to you, that clock started the day of the crash.
• A bar, restaurant, or dram shop: Michigan's Dramshop Act (MCL 436.1801) makes licensed alcohol vendors civilly liable for injuries caused by someone to whom they served alcohol while that person was visibly intoxicated. Ann Arbor's active bar and restaurant scene makes this an important investigative focus in impaired driving cases occurring in or near the city.

Every additional responsible party is another insurance policy and another source of accountability. Finding all of them is not a bonus. It is a core part of how we build every case.

What Justice Looks Like After an Ann Arbor Car Accident: What Your Claim Can Recover

We do not tell clients what their case is worth before reviewing the evidence. Any attorney who gives you a number in the first conversation does not evaluate your case. They tell you what they think you want to hear.

What we can tell you is what Michigan law provides to car accident victims and what a properly built case looks like when every available category of recovery is pursued. With over $300 million recovered for Michigan injury victims, our track record proves the power of a meticulously prepared case.

No-Fault PIP Benefits: Your First Track, Available From Day One Regardless of Fault

Under Michigan's No-Fault Act, your own insurer provides PIP benefits beginning on the day of the crash, regardless of who caused it. What those benefits cover:

• Medical expenses for all reasonably necessary treatment, up to the limit of your PIP tier: unlimited, $500,000, $250,000, or $50,000, depending on the tier you selected
• 85% of your gross lost wages, up to the monthly maximum under your policy
• $20 per day in replacement services for household tasks you can no longer perform due to your injuries
• Attendant care for in-home nursing and personal assistance services, capped at 56 hours per week for family-provided care in crashes after July 1, 2020
• Transportation to and from medical appointments

These benefits do not require the determination of fault or a lawsuit. They are immediately available. However, in a serious crash, they do not cover the full scope of what you are owed. They are the floor.

Third-Party Liability Damages: What the At-Fault Driver and Their Insurance Company Owe You

When your injuries meet Michigan's serious impairment threshold, you have the right to bring a direct liability claim against the at-fault driver for everything that No-Fault does not cover:

• Past and future medical expenses: The full cost of your care beyond what PIP covers, including surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, specialist treatment, assistive devices, and projected future medical needs. In serious injury cases, the costs incurred are frequently the smallest part of the total.
• Lost earning capacity: If your injuries have permanently reduced your earning potential or ended your career entirely, that future financial loss is compensable. We work with vocational consultants and economic analysts to document this accurately and present it in a form that reflects the full scope of the loss.
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the loss of daily activities and relationships that defined your life before the crash. In catastrophic injury cases, this is typically the largest component of full recovery. Michigan law recognizes all of these.
• Disfigurement and scarring: Permanent visible disfigurement has its own separately compensable category under MCL 500.3135. This is particularly significant in crashes involving fires, broken glass, airbag burns, or surgical intervention that results in visible scarring.
• Loss of consortium: The documented impact of your injuries on your marriage and family relationships is a recognized and compensable category of damages under Michigan law.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage: When the At-Fault Driver Cannot Pay

Michigan consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of uninsured drivers. When the driver who hits you on US-23 or Washtenaw Avenue has no insurance or carries limits far below the actual cost of your injuries, uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your own policy fills that gap. Michigan does not require insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage, and not all policies include it. However, if your policy does, it can be the difference between a full recovery and a significant shortfall. We review your policy and the at-fault driver's coverage in every case.

Mini-Tort: Recovering Vehicle Damage from the At-Fault Driver

Michigan's No-Fault system generally bars car accident victims from suing the at-fault driver for damage to their vehicle. The exception is the mini-tort provision under MCL 500.3135(3), which allows you to sue the at-fault driver for vehicle damage up to $3,000 (raised from $1,000 under the 2019 reform) if you carry collision coverage or the other driver is uninsured. The mini-tort is limited in dollar amount; however, it is an important mechanism for recovering a portion of the property damage from the responsible driver. It can be pursued in small claims court.

Wrongful Death: When an Ann Arbor Car Accident Takes a Family Member

If you have lost a family member in a car accident in or near Ann Arbor, you have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of the estate and the surviving family under MCL 600.2922. Recoverable damage includes medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, lost financial support for surviving family members, loss of the deceased's society and companionship, and compensation for pain and suffering endured before death.

Nothing makes that loss whole. However, the legal system can deliver accountability from the person whose choices ended your family member's life. We handle wrongful death cases with particular care. Call us at (248) 886-8650.

The Injuries We See Most Often After Ann Arbor Car Accidents

The cases we present are not fender-benders. They are crashes that change the trajectory of people's lives. On a road such as I-94 or US-23, where speeds are high and the consequences of a collision are magnified by that speed, the injuries we see reflect the full severity of a serious crash.

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): The violent deceleration forces during a car crash cause the brain to impact the interior of the skull. TBIs range from concussions that quietly erode memory, concentration, and personality over months to severe injuries requiring lifelong neurocognitive care. A significant proportion of TBI victims do not recognize their own symptoms for days or weeks after the crash. The neurology department at the University of Michigan Hospital is one of the leading TBI evaluation and treatment centers in the state. TBI documentation is critical to the value of a serious injury claim, and we build it with medical specialists from the outset of every case.
• Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis: Car accidents are among the leading causes of spinal cord injuries in Michigan. Cervical spine damage can cause quadriplegia. Thoracic and lumbar injuries can produce paraplegia or permanent partial deficits. The long-term care costs in a serious spinal cord case, covering rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, home modification, and ongoing attendant care, are among the largest elements of a full recovery and must be projected and documented by the appropriate medical and vocational experts.
• Back and Neck Injuries: Herniated discs, facet joint injuries, and cervical fractures are common outcomes of rear-end and broadside crashes on I-94, Washtenaw Avenue, and Ann Arbor surface streets. These injuries are frequently labeled by insurance adjusters as "soft tissue" or "minor," even when they require surgical intervention, produce permanent pain, and significantly limit the injured person's ability to work. We build the medical record, retain the right specialists, and refuse to let adjusters dismiss injuries that are not minor.
• Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries: High-impact crashes on I-94 and US-23 produce fractures that frequently involve complex patterns requiring surgical fixation with hardware and recovery times measured in months. When a fracture involves a joint, the spine, or a weight-bearing bone, the long-term consequences can permanently affect mobility, work capacity, and quality of life. We ensure that the full projected cost of orthopedic recovery is documented in the claim.
• Internal Organ Damage: Blunt force trauma from a T-bone or high-speed impact can rupture the spleen, lacerate the liver, puncture the lungs, and injure the kidneys. These injuries may not be apparent at the scene. Any crash involving significant chest or abdominal impact requires immediate emergency department evaluation, regardless of how the injured person feels at the moment.
• Burn Injuries: Post-crash fires, fuel system damage, and airbag chemical burns can cause injuries ranging from minor to catastrophic. Severe burns require multiple surgeries, skin grafting, and years of rehabilitation. They frequently produce permanent disfigurement that is separately compensable under Michigan law and deeply affects the quality of life of the injured person.
• Psychological Injury: PTSD, anxiety, driving phobia, and depression are documented, compensable injuries in Michigan car accident cases. For Ann Arbor residents who commute on US-23 or I-94 daily, a serious crash on a road they have driven hundreds of times can make the ordinary activity of driving feel impossible. These are not soft claims. They are documented clinical conditions that affect work, relationships, and daily function. We work with qualified mental health professionals to document psychological injuries properly and treat them as legal damages, ensuring every aspect of your suffering is recognized and pursued.

How We Handle Your Ann Arbor Car Accident Case: From First Call to Final Resolution

Most car accident cases do not go to trial. However, the cases that produce the best results are prepared as if they will. Here is how we work:

Step 1: Free Case Evaluation the Same Day You Call

We review the details of your accident at no charge and without any obligation. We will honestly advise you on whether you have a viable claim, what Michigan law provides under your specific circumstances, and what the realistic path forward looks like. We do not oversell. We do not make promises based on information we have not reviewed. If we take your case, it is because we believe in it.

Step 2: Immediate Evidence Preservation

We send written representation notices to all relevant insurers and begin securing all available evidence the day we take your case. For crashes on I-94, US-23, Washtenaw Avenue, or Ann Arbor surface streets, this means requesting business camera footage along the corridor, MDOT and City of Ann Arbor camera records for the intersection or segment, and police report documentation from the Ann Arbor Police or the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office. Witnesses are contacted. The at-fault vehicle's event data recorder data is secured through the appropriate legal channels.

Step 3: No-Fault Claim Filed Immediately

If you haven't already filed your No-Fault PIP application, we will file it immediately. You must file the PIP application within one year of the crash (MCL 500.3145). We ensure your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages are covered from the start, while simultaneously building the liability case against the at-fault driver.

Step 4: Medical Documentation and Expert Consultation

We help you build a detailed medical record for your claim. For serious injury cases, we retain medical, biomechanical, vocational, and economic experts to fully document your long-term losses. Michigan Medicine and St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor provide the diagnostic and specialist services complex injury claims require. We ensure their findings are clearly presented in the documentation your case needs.

Step 5: Full Liability Investigation

We obtain all available evidence of fault, including the police report and underlying officer notes; the at-fault driver's traffic record; any relevant employment or vehicle ownership records; the rideshare or delivery platform's insurance structure, where applicable; and road authority maintenance records, where the road condition contributed to the incident. We review all available insurance coverage and identify every potential source of recovery.

Step 6: Demand and Negotiation

We send a comprehensive demand to the at-fault driver's insurer, supported by a complete evidentiary record and a full accounting of your documented losses. We do not make demands before the work is done. We do not accept opening offers. We negotiate from the position that preparation creates, and the insurance companies we go up against in Washtenaw County cases know how we work.

Step 7: Litigation in Washtenaw County Circuit Court if the Offer Is Not Fair

If the at-fault driver's insurer will not offer a settlement that fully reflects your damages, we will file suit in the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Christopher Trainor and his team have litigated car accident cases in courts across Michigan and are not afraid to go to trial. The insurance companies know this. This is part of why our demands receive the responses that they do.

Step 8: Resolution, Payment, and Full Accounting

Regardless whether through settlement or verdict, we explain every dollar of the outcome before finalizing anything. Every fee, every cost, and every deduction. You decide. Nothing is signed without your full understanding of what you are receiving and what you are agreeing to.

Why It Matters Which Firm You Call After an Ann Arbor Car Accident

While many personal injury firms offer similar services, the Michigan Legal Center sets itself apart through distinct advantages. Here is what makes us truly different:

• We are familiar with Michigan law. The intersection of the 2019 No-Fault Reform, the McCormick v. Carrier serious impairment standard, the mini-tort rules, Michigan's modified comparative fault statute, and the government liability notice requirements is genuinely complex. Michigan law is what we know. Michigan courts are where we practice.
• We investigate before we negotiate. We never make a demand until we have completed the full work: secured the evidence, completed the medical documentation, retained expert witnesses where the case requires them, and built a complete accounting of your losses. That preparation is why our settlements and verdicts reflect full value rather than an early exit.
• We are honest with our clients. We do not take every case that comes to us, and we do not make promises based on information we have not reviewed. If we take your case, it is because we believe in it. If we cannot help you, we will tell you directly.
• We are not afraid of trial. Christopher Trainor and his team have litigated cases in courts across Michigan, including against the largest and best-resourced defense firms in the state. Our willingness to try cases is part of the leverage we carry in every negotiation.
• We fight for justice, not just a settlement. Compensation is part of what your case is about. Accountability is the other part. When a driver whose negligence changed your life is held fully responsible for their actions, that outcome matters beyond the dollar amount. We take this seriously, and our clients feel the difference.

We believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. That's why The Michigan Legal Center operates on a contingency fee basis for all car accident cases. This means you pay absolutely no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the final settlement or verdict, ensuring our interests are always aligned with yours.

When You Are Ready to Talk, We Are Ready to Listen

If you were injured in a car accident in Ann Arbor, on I-94, on US-23, on Washtenaw Avenue, or anywhere else in Washtenaw County, you are not dealing with a routine claim. You are dealing with an insurance company that has a system for exactly this situation and has been running that system since before you left the scene.

The evidence that can change your case, the camera footage, the black box data, and the witnesses who were on the road when your accident happened, is time-sensitive. It disappears. The investigation that protects it must begin now.

Christopher Trainor has taken car accident cases to courtrooms across Michigan and won. He does not accept the first offer. He does not settle for less than what the evidence justifies. He does not let a client close a case without understanding exactly what they were owed and what they received.

Don't let critical evidence vanish, or insurance companies dictate your future. Take the first step toward justice. Call Christopher Trainor and his team at (248) 886-8650 for a free, no-obligation consultation available at any hour. We're ready to begin working on your case the same day you call, fighting for the accountability you deserve. For more information on how we handle car accident cases throughout Michigan, see our Michigan Car Accident Lawyer page.

Our Legal Process

1

Free Consultation

Call us 24/7 for a free, no-obligation case review. We will evaluate your situation and explain your legal options.

2

Investigation & Evidence

Our team investigates your case — gathering police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions.

3

Demand & Negotiation

We calculate the full value of your claim and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies for a fair settlement.

4

Trial If Needed

If the insurer won't offer fair compensation, we take your case to court. Our trial lawyers are ready to fight for you.

5

You Collect

You receive your compensation. We don't collect a fee unless we win your case — that's our guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions: Ann Arbor Car Accident

My accident happened on I-94 near Ann Arbor. Can the Michigan Legal Center help?

Yes. I-94 and the US-23 interchange are among the highest-volume crash corridors handled by the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office. We begin working on highway crash cases immediately because the evidence, event data recorder data, traffic camera footage, and witness contacts are time-sensitive. Call us at (248) 886-8650 the same day as the crash if you can.

The other driver's insurance company called me the same day as the crash. Should I talk to them?

No. Do not give them a recorded statement. Do not describe your injuries, pain level, or the circumstances of the crash. The at-fault driver's insurance company is calling to establish a baseline for your claim before you have representation, a diagnosis, or any understanding of what your recovery will require. Tell them you are represented and refer them to the Michigan Legal Center. Then call us at (248) 886-8650.

How does Michigan's No-Fault law work after a car accident in Ann Arbor?

Under Michigan's No-Fault Act (MCL 500.3101 et seq.), your own auto insurance pays for your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages from the day of the crash, regardless of who caused it. This is the PIP benefits track. At the same time, if your injuries meet Michigan's serious impairment threshold, you have the right to bring a separate third-party liability claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, full lost earning capacity, and everything PIP does not cover. These two claims run simultaneously, with different rules and different deadlines.

What is the serious impairment threshold, and does my injury qualify?

Under MCL 500.3135, car accident victims in Michigan may sue for non-economic damages only if their injuries meet the serious impairment of body function standard. The Michigan Supreme Court's 2010 decision in McCormick v. Carrier (487 Mich. 180) established the current three-part test: the impairment must be objectively manifested by medical evidence, affect an important bodily function, and affect the person's general ability to lead a normal life. Whether your injuries meet that threshold is one of the first questions we evaluate in every consultation.

What if the driver who hit me on Washtenaw Avenue or US-23 had no insurance?

An uninsured driver does not eliminate your claim. Your own No-Fault PIP coverage pays your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of whether the at-fault driver has insurance. Whether you can recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering depends largely on whether you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy. We review your policy coverage during every initial consultation.

What if I was partially at fault for the crash?

Partial fault does not eliminate your claim. Michigan applies a modified comparative fault rule (MCL 600.2959): you can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the crash. Your percentage of fault reduces your recovery proportionally. Insurance adjusters frequently suggest that partial fault defeats a claim entirely. It does not.

Was the crash caused by a rideshare or delivery driver? Does this change the claim?

Yes, and this complexity is real. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Amazon Logistics each carry commercial insurance policies, with coverage varying based on the driver's status at the time of the crash. Whether the driver was actively on a delivery, en route to a pickup, or between deliveries determines which policy applies and who is responsible. We routinely handle rideshare and delivery crash cases and understand the platform insurance structures thoroughly.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Ann Arbor?

Michigan's general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the crash (MCL 600.5805). Your No-Fault PIP application must be filed within one year of the crash date (MCL 500.3145). If the City of Ann Arbor, MDOT, or the Washtenaw County Road Commission bears responsibility, the notice requirement for a government liability claim can be as short as 120 days. Call us as soon as possible.

How much does it cost to hire an Ann Arbor car accident lawyer?

Nothing upfront, and nothing at all unless we win. The Michigan Legal Center handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis; our fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict. If there is no recovery, there is no fee. The initial consultation is free, available around the clock at (248) 886-8650, and carries no obligation.

How do Michigan No-Fault PIP benefits and a third-party liability claim interact in an Ann Arbor car crash case?

• Simultaneous but Separate: These two claim types run concurrently but are governed by different rules.
• PIP Claim (Your Insurer): Pays medical bills, lost wages (portion), replacement services, and attendant care from day one, regardless of fault.
• Third-Party Claim (At-Fault Driver): If your injuries meet the serious impairment threshold, you can pursue pain and suffering, excess medical costs beyond your PIP cap, and lost earning capacity.
• Critical Interaction: The two tracks can affect each other through benefit coordination, subrogation rights, and the relationship between PIP payments and your liability settlement. Expert management is critical for maximizing your total recovery.

How did Michigan's 2019 No-Fault Reform change things, and why does it matter to my claim?

It replaced mandatory unlimited PIP with selectable tiers (unlimited, $500,000, $250,000, $50,000 for eligible Medicaid recipients, and a limited opt-out for qualifying Medicare enrollees). It also imposed medical provider fee schedules and capped family-provided attendant care at 56 hours per week for post-July 2020 claims. Your chosen PIP tier sets the ceiling on the medical benefits your insurer pays. After a serious crash, that cap can be reached quickly, making third-party liability coverage and the at-fault party's insurance structure material to securing full compensation.

What evidence disappears quickly after a crash in Ann Arbor, and how do you preserve it?

Surveillance, traffic video, and vehicle data go fast. Many businesses and gas stations along Washtenaw Avenue, State Street, and near US-23 overwrite exterior camera footage every 7 to 14 days, and MDOT/City of Ann Arbor traffic camera records are time-sensitive. Event Data Recorder (EDR) information capturing pre-impact speed and braking can also be lost if a vehicle is repaired or disposed of. We immediately send representation and preservation letters, request police reports, pull traffic and business camera footage, contact witnesses, and secure the at-fault vehicle's EDR data through proper legal channels.

What kinds of injuries typically satisfy Michigan's "serious impairment of body function" threshold?

The legal test requires an objectively manifested impairment that affects an important body function and general ability to lead a normal life. Examples that often qualify include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage and paralysis, fractures (especially involving joints or the spine), internal organ injuries, and significant disfigurement or scarring. Even back and neck injuries that require surgery or result in lasting functional limitations can meet the standard. Whether you qualify is fact-specific; we evaluate medical records and functional impact at the outset of every case.

Can more than one party be liable for my Ann Arbor car crash? Why does that matter?

Yes. Identifying all responsible parties can expand the available insurance and increase recovery. Beyond the at-fault driver, potential defendants include the driver's employer (respondeat superior and negligent entrustment), a vehicle owner (owner liability under MCL 257.401), a rideshare or delivery platform with applicable commercial coverage, a manufacturer for a defect (product liability under MCL 600.2946), a road authority for dangerous conditions (government liability with strict notice deadlines under MCL 691.1402), and a bar or restaurant that overserved a visibly intoxicated driver (Dramshop Act, MCL 436.1801). We investigate each avenue from day one.

What should I do in the first 24–48 hours after a car crash in Ann Arbor?

Call 911 and remain at the scene so that an Ann Arbor Police or Washtenaw County Sheriff report can be created. Get same-day medical care even if you feel okay, to document injuries that may not show immediate symptoms. Photograph vehicles, damage, road conditions, signals, skid marks, and nearby businesses (many along Washtenaw Avenue and State Street have cameras that overwrite within 7–14 days). Collect the other driver's information and witness contacts. Do not provide any recorded statement before speaking with an attorney. Stay off social media entirely. Call the Michigan Legal Center at (248) 886-8650; we'll file your No-Fault PIP claim, preserve camera footage and vehicle EDR data, and begin both claims tracks immediately.

Will my case go to trial, and how do you prepare for this possibility?

Most cases resolve without a trial; however, the best outcomes come from preparing as if a trial is certain. We secure police reports, MDOT and City of Ann Arbor camera records, business surveillance, EDR data, and witness statements; build complete medical and economic documentation with specialists; and send a comprehensive demand only after the record is complete. If the insurer is not fair, we file in the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Our track record litigating across Michigan, and specifically in Washtenaw County, gives leverage at the table and in the courtroom.

How do Michigan winters affect fault in Ann Arbor crash cases?

Drivers must adjust for conditions. Ice on I-94 overpasses, black ice on US-23, and snow-packed intersections on Packard or Stadium require reduced speed and heightened caution. Michigan courts recognize that driving the posted speed limit can still be negligent when conditions demand slower speeds. When a driver fails to account for winter hazards any Washtenaw County motorist should anticipate, we frame it as a preventable decision, not an unavoidable accident, and pursue liability accordingly.

Can I recover for vehicle damage from an at-fault driver under Michigan's mini-tort statute?

Yes, within limits. Under MCL 500.3135(3), you can sue the at-fault driver for vehicle damage up to $3,000 (raised from $1,000 in the 2019 reform). You can use a mini-tort if you carry collision coverage or if the other driver is uninsured. These claims are often brought in small claims court. A mini-tort is separate from your No-Fault benefits and does not affect your right to pursue injury damages when your injuries meet Michigan's serious impairment threshold.

If a bad road, failed signal, or sight-line obstruction contributed to my crash, can I hold a government agency responsible?

Potentially, but strict deadlines apply. Claims against the City of Ann Arbor, MDOT, or the Washtenaw County Road Commission for defective road conditions fall under MCL 691.1402 and carry short notice requirements, sometimes as brief as 120 days from the crash. Because these claims turn on fast-disappearing evidence (maintenance records, signal timing data, and scene conditions), contact us immediately so we can preserve evidence and meet notice deadlines while we pursue all available sources of recovery.

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Every case at Christopher Trainor & Associates is a team effort. Our attorneys collaborate on strategy, discovery, and litigation so you get the full strength of the firm behind you—not just a single lawyer. We have built our practice on this collaborative model since 1989.

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