How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit After Being in a Car Accident in Michigan?
If you’ve been injured in a Michigan auto accident, you generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for the injuries you sustained. MCL 600.5805(10).
This three-year period is known as the “statute of limitations.” It applies to both bodily injury and wrongful death claims. While there are certain exceptions to this rule if the person injured in the car accident is a child or is mentally impaired, it is typically best to assume that the statute of limitations to file a Michigan auto accident lawsuit is three years from the date of the collision.
It’s also important to note that the limitations period for 1) uninsured motorist claims and 2) underinsured motorist claims may be shorter or longer than three years, depending on the actual language in the insurance policy. To make sure you do not risk losing any underinsured or uninsured motorist benefits, you should have an experienced car accident lawyer in Michigan review your policy.
Act Quickly To Protect Your Right To File A Lawsuit!
Although you have three years after the date of a car accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, you should act quickly to protect 
your rights. It is important that you consult a Michigan auto accident attorney immediately after a motor vehicle collision to make sure:
- valuable evidence is not lost.
- the ability to file a lawsuit is not weakened by the passage of time.
You should also refrain from speaking with any investigators or insurance adjusters who represent the interests of the driver who caused the accident.
Learn more about what you should do after a car accident.