Car Accidents
Michigan No-Fault is complex by design. We make sure you receive every PIP benefit you're entitled to — and pursue the at-fault driver for the rest.
No-Fault benefits, no matter who caused the crash.
Michigan is a No-Fault state. Everyone involved in a motor vehicle or pedestrian–motor vehicle accident is entitled to certain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits — even if you didn't carry insurance. Allowable expenses are a lifetime benefit: no maximum dollar amount, no expiration. If you need care thirty years from now, you may still be entitled to coverage.
For the first three years, you are also entitled to lost wages and a $20/day allowance for ordinary household services you can no longer perform — like cutting the grass, doing laundry, or taking out the garbage.
Most insurers are looking for a reason not to pay.
A vast majority of cases result in an injured party being sent to an "independent" medical examination performed by a doctor hired by the insurance company. We can assure you, despite the name, these doctors are anything but independent — and their opinions are routinely used to cut off benefits.
Claim with the right insurer. Michigan's priority rules can be confusing — we handle that.
Meticulous paperwork. Insurers deny entire claims over the smallest inconsistency.
Rebutting "independent" exams. We bring the evidence and experts to push back.
Surveillance & statements. We prepare you for the tactics insurers use to undermine your claim.
Pain & suffering — and the wages No-Fault won't cover.
If you're less than 50% at-fault, you may have a separate claim against the driver who caused the crash. To recover non-economic damages, Michigan law requires you to prove a serious impairment of body function — three elements working together:
Objectively manifested impairment
Of an important body function
Affecting your normal life
Excess Economic Damages
First-party wage loss is capped at roughly $5,300/month and only available for the first three years. If you earn more — or are unable to work for longer — the difference can be claimed as excess economic damages in your third-party case.
No Fee Guarantee
We don't get paid unless we win.
Call our Sterling Heights office toll free at (866) 529-3537 for a free consultation. Third-party claims must be filed within three years — don't wait.
Frequently asked questions
Talk to a Michigan car accident attorney.
Tell us what happened. An attorney will follow up within one business day.
44444 Mound Rd #100, Sterling Heights, MI 48314
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Free phone consultation
- Statewide Michigan representation
- No fee unless we win
What our clients say
"Dear Amy, Jeff, Tim and team — thank you for all your time and effort in the process of getting my mom's affairs settled and making the transfer of her condo to me so smooth. Have a blessed day!"
"I needed results against a powerful insurance company. I felt alone and quite frankly, overwhelmed. I contacted SMD Law and spoke with attorney Patrick Derkacz. Immediately I felt relief; this person really wanted to help my family and I. Pat promised me results, and he got me ju…"
"Dear Pat, (AKA my favorite attorney) — you pitched a perfect game and hit a grand slam! Thank you so much for working hard to make sense of my case with Lincoln and advocating for me. I am thankful for your kindness and compassion throughout the process. I'm glad to have a Hall-o…"
"Dearest Patrick and Jeffrey, I personally, and on behalf of my siblings, thank Patrick, Jeffrey and Amy Klimas, for providing exceptional legal services to my loving parents, Joseph P. (Retired USAF) and Joyce (Honorary Retired USAF) for so many years and at an extremely discount…"
"When I first contacted Patrick, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic. I had no idea of what to expect, but Pat was wonderful to work with. He listened to my predicament, and explained to me the process he was planning to follow. He was upfront and I understood everything I had to…"
"Patrick and his staff has handled my case efficiently and professionally to a positive outcome. He has always promptly returned my phone calls and emails like no attorney before. I can easily say he has made a positive difference in our lives. Glad he continues to have our backs."
"Phil Serafini and the other attorneys in this office are great. I have worked with them over the years and they treat everyone with the utmost respect and are tireless advocates on behalf of their clients."
"Dear Phil, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your hard work. You will never know how tremendously you have changed my life. Six years ago, when no one else would listen to me or take my case, you did. I was living in the worst time of my life, I had lost my…"
"Pat was very professional, kind and always paid attention to detail. He was also very patient with me, and that made me feel at ease and that I was in good hands. He always responded to every inquiry, and always kept us updated. I would highly recommend his services."
"Thanks so much for all your help these past five years in helping me with all the legal aspects of my folks, L & E.M.'s, trust. Thanks for answering all my questions. It's been a difficult last 5 years on making decisions for my father, but I'm so grateful that God blessed me wit…"
"I want to thank you both for all your help and hard work on my case. This certainly was good news! You both did tremendous jobs dealing with Cigna and answering my questions. Thank you and have a wonderful Christmas season!"
"Thank you so much for all of your help getting me thru this mess. You have no idea how much you have helped. I couldn't have done this without you! Only one more hurdle, yay!!"
"I really wanted to thank you, the way you talked with me and worked with me, it was amazing. I was dreading the experience and the deposition and you really made it very easy for me. So, thank you very much for a job well done."
"Dear Amy, Jeff, Tim and team — thank you for all your time and effort in the process of getting my mom's affairs settled and making the transfer of her condo to me so smooth. Have a blessed day!"
"I needed results against a powerful insurance company. I felt alone and quite frankly, overwhelmed. I contacted SMD Law and spoke with attorney Patrick Derkacz. Immediately I felt relief; this person really wanted to help my family and I. Pat promised me results, and he got me ju…"
"Dear Pat, (AKA my favorite attorney) — you pitched a perfect game and hit a grand slam! Thank you so much for working hard to make sense of my case with Lincoln and advocating for me. I am thankful for your kindness and compassion throughout the process. I'm glad to have a Hall-o…"
"Dearest Patrick and Jeffrey, I personally, and on behalf of my siblings, thank Patrick, Jeffrey and Amy Klimas, for providing exceptional legal services to my loving parents, Joseph P. (Retired USAF) and Joyce (Honorary Retired USAF) for so many years and at an extremely discount…"
"When I first contacted Patrick, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic. I had no idea of what to expect, but Pat was wonderful to work with. He listened to my predicament, and explained to me the process he was planning to follow. He was upfront and I understood everything I had to…"
"Patrick and his staff has handled my case efficiently and professionally to a positive outcome. He has always promptly returned my phone calls and emails like no attorney before. I can easily say he has made a positive difference in our lives. Glad he continues to have our backs."
"Phil Serafini and the other attorneys in this office are great. I have worked with them over the years and they treat everyone with the utmost respect and are tireless advocates on behalf of their clients."
"Dear Phil, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your hard work. You will never know how tremendously you have changed my life. Six years ago, when no one else would listen to me or take my case, you did. I was living in the worst time of my life, I had lost my…"
"Pat was very professional, kind and always paid attention to detail. He was also very patient with me, and that made me feel at ease and that I was in good hands. He always responded to every inquiry, and always kept us updated. I would highly recommend his services."
"Thanks so much for all your help these past five years in helping me with all the legal aspects of my folks, L & E.M.'s, trust. Thanks for answering all my questions. It's been a difficult last 5 years on making decisions for my father, but I'm so grateful that God blessed me wit…"
"I want to thank you both for all your help and hard work on my case. This certainly was good news! You both did tremendous jobs dealing with Cigna and answering my questions. Thank you and have a wonderful Christmas season!"
"Thank you so much for all of your help getting me thru this mess. You have no idea how much you have helped. I couldn't have done this without you! Only one more hurdle, yay!!"
"I really wanted to thank you, the way you talked with me and worked with me, it was amazing. I was dreading the experience and the deposition and you really made it very easy for me. So, thank you very much for a job well done."