Michigan Auto Accident Attorney | John Alexander — Oakland County & Statewide

If you have been injured in a car accident in Michigan, you are likely dealing with a lot at once — physical pain, mounting medical bills, missed work, and an insurance company that is already working to protect its own bottom line. My name is John Alexander, and I am a personal injury attorney based in Oakland County, Michigan. I have dedicated my practice to representing accident victims throughout the state, and I understand how overwhelming this process can feel when you are already hurt and trying to recover.

Michigan has one of the most complicated auto insurance and personal injury systems in the country. Between the no-fault laws, the serious injury threshold, PIP coverage elections, and the 2019 reform changes, there is a lot that can work against you if you do not have someone in your corner who knows how to navigate it. My job is to handle all of that so you can focus on getting better.

This page is designed to give you a thorough understanding of your rights after a Michigan auto accident — from what to do at the scene, to how insurance coverage works, to what you can recover and how the legal process unfolds. If you would prefer to discuss your specific situation, I offer free consultations with no obligation. Just call my office or use the contact form below.

Why You Need an Auto Accident Attorney in Michigan

Michigan has one of the most complex auto insurance systems in the country. The 2019 no-fault reform law changed the landscape significantly, and the rules around what you can recover — and from whom — are not always straightforward. Insurance companies have experienced adjusters and legal teams whose job is to minimize payouts. You should have someone equally experienced in your corner.

As your attorney, I handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on recovering. That includes gathering evidence, dealing with insurance companies on your behalf, working with medical providers, calculating the full value of your damages, and taking your case to court if a fair settlement is not offered.

Michigan’s 2019 No-Fault Reform — What Changed and Why It Matters

In 2019, Michigan overhauled its no-fault auto insurance law, significantly affecting accident victims’ rights. Before the reform, Michigan offered unlimited lifetime medical benefits to anyone injured in an auto accident — one of the most generous systems in the country. The 2019 changes introduced tiered PIP coverage options, allowed drivers to opt out of certain benefits under specific conditions, and set fee schedules for medical providers treating accident injuries.

What this means practically is that the coverage available to you after an accident now depends heavily on the policy choices you made — or that were made for you — before the accident happened. It also means that insurance companies have new tools to dispute and limit what they pay for your care. If you were injured after July 2020, understanding how the reformed law applies to your specific policy is essential to protecting your recovery.

This is one of the areas where having an experienced Michigan auto accident attorney makes the biggest difference. I stay current on how courts are interpreting the reformed no-fault law and how to make the strongest possible case for my clients under the new framework.

Michigan’s Serious Injury Threshold — What It Means for Your Case

Under Michigan law, in order to bring a claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages, your injuries must meet what is called the “serious impairment of body function” threshold. This means your injury must have affected a vital body function and impaired your ability to live your normal life.
This threshold is one of the most contested issues in Michigan auto accident cases. Insurance companies will often argue that your injuries do not meet the requirements. I have extensive experience establishing serious impairment in cases involving:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
• Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs
• Soft tissue injuries affecting daily function
• Nerve damage
• Permanent disfigurement or scarring
• Wrongful death

What Damages Can You Recover After a Michigan Car Accident?

Depending on the facts of your case and your insurance coverage, you may be entitled to recover several categories of damages. I work to identify and pursue every available avenue of compensation for you.

No-Fault Benefits (PIP)

Regardless of who caused the accident, your own auto insurance policy covers your medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, and replacement services (such as household help) through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. If your insurance company is disputing or delaying these benefits, I can help you fight back.

Pain and Suffering / Non-Economic Damages

If your injuries meet the serious impairment threshold, you can bring a third-party claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages can be significant, and I fight to make sure they are fully accounted for in any settlement or verdict.

Excess Economic Damages

In serious cases, you may also pursue claims for economic losses beyond what your PIP covers — including long-term care costs, future lost earnings, and out-of-pocket expenses not covered by your policy.

Common Types of Auto Accidents I Handle

I represent clients injured in all types of motor vehicle accidents across Michigan, including:

• Rear-end collisions
• Distracted and texting-while-driving accidents
• Drunk and impaired driving crashes
• Intersection accidents and T-bone collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Highway and freeway accidents
• Accidents involving commercial trucks or semi-trucks
• Hit-and-run accidents
• Accidents caused by road defects or poor road conditions
• Multi-vehicle pile-ups

Understanding Your Michigan Auto Insurance Coverage

One of the most common questions I hear from clients is: “Do I have the right insurance coverage?” The honest answer is that most people do not fully understand their policy until after an accident. Here is a breakdown of the key coverage types and my recommendations.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance protects you if you cause an accident and injure someone else. I strongly recommend carrying at least $500,000 to $1,000,000 in liability coverage. If your assets and lifestyle warrant additional protection, consider adding a personal umbrella policy — often available through your homeowners insurance for as little as $150–$180 per year for $1 million in additional coverage. That is exceptional value for the protection it provides.

PIP Coverage: Coordinated vs. Uncoordinated

When you purchase auto insurance in Michigan, you will be asked whether you want “coordinated” or “uncoordinated” PIP benefits. Here is what that means in plain terms:

Coordinated: Your health insurance pays first for accident-related medical expenses, and your auto insurance covers whatever your health plan does not. In exchange, your auto insurer charges you a lower premium.

Uncoordinated: Both your auto insurer and your health insurer act as primary payers. This means both policies can pay for the same expenses, and your health insurer may actually issue a reimbursement check directly to you for amounts already covered by your auto policy. This is sometimes called a “double dip” in the industry. The tradeoff is a higher premium, but for some people, the financial benefit in the event of a serious accident makes it worthwhile.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

If you are hit by a driver who has no insurance, your uninsured motorist coverage steps in to cover your pain and suffering and other non-economic damages — essentially acting as the at-fault driver’s insurance. I recommend carrying at least $500,000 in uninsured motorist benefits. Given the number of uninsured drivers on Michigan roads, this is not optional coverage in my view — it is essential.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to fully compensate you for your injuries. Michigan’s minimum liability requirement is only $20,000 — nowhere near enough if you have been seriously injured. Your underinsured motorist coverage fills the gap.

One critical detail: most underinsured motorist policies contain a reduction clause. If you carry $20,000 in underinsured motorist coverage and the at-fault driver has a $20,000 policy, your coverage is reduced dollar-for-dollar, leaving you with nothing. This is why I recommend carrying at least $500,000 in underinsured motorist coverage. The premium difference is minimal compared to the protection it provides.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Michigan

The steps you take immediately after an accident can have a direct impact on your ability to recover compensation. Here is what I advise my clients:

• Call 911 and get a police report, even if the accident seems minor.
• Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel okay. Some injuries, like TBIs and soft tissue damage, do not present symptoms right away.
• Document the scene. Take photos of both vehicles, the road conditions, any visible injuries, and traffic signs or signals.
• Get contact and insurance information from all drivers involved.
• Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first.
• Notify your own insurance company of the accident.
• Contact an attorney before accepting any settlement offer.

How I Handle Auto Accident Cases

I take auto accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless I recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs, retainer fees, or out-of-pocket expenses. If I do not win your case, you owe me nothing. This arrangement means that every client I take on, I am fully invested in getting the best possible result — because my fee depends on it.

I also believe in being accessible and straightforward with my clients. You will not spend weeks waiting for a call back or wondering what is happening with your case. When you hire me, you get direct access and honest communication throughout the process.

When you hire me, here is what I do for you:

• Conduct a thorough investigation of your accident, including obtaining police reports, witness statements, and any available surveillance footage.
• Work directly with your medical providers to document the full extent of your injuries.
• Handle all communication with insurance companies to avoid being pressured into a low settlement.
• Retain accident reconstruction experts or medical specialists when needed to support your claim.
• Calculate the complete value of your damages — past, present, and future.
• Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement, and take your case to trial if the insurance company will not offer one.

Related Topics and Resources

Auto accidents often intersect with specific circumstances that affect how your case is handled. I also represent clients in matters involving:

• Wrongful death resulting from an auto accident
• Dog bites occurring in or around vehicle incidents
• Slip and fall injuries at accident scenes
• Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers
• Accidents caused by distracted or impaired drivers

Talk to a Michigan Auto Accident Attorney Today — Free Consultation

If you or a family member has been injured in an auto accident in Michigan, do not wait. Michigan has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, and critical evidence can disappear quickly. There are also shorter deadlines for filing no-fault benefit claims with your insurance company — missing those windows can affect your rights. The sooner you have an attorney involved, the better positioned you are to protect your claim and your recovery.

I offer free, no-obligation consultations and handle cases throughout Oakland County and the entire state of Michigan. You do not have to have everything figured out before you call. Many of my clients come to me with nothing more than a police report number and many unanswered questions — that is exactly where I start. I will personally review your situation, explain your options clearly, and give you an honest assessment of what your case may be worth.

Call my office today or use the contact form on this page to schedule your free consultation. There is no pressure and no commitment — just straightforward answers from an attorney who handles these cases every day.

John Alexander | Personal Injury Attorney | Oakland County, Michigan | Serving Clients Statewide