How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Michigan?

March 20, 2026

The statute of limitations sounds boring. Missing it is the fastest way to kill your case.

The General Rule: Three Years

For most personal injury cases in Michigan, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. That includes car accidents, slip and falls, and most negligence cases.

Special Rules That Shorten the Deadline

• Claims against government entities can require written notice within 60 to 180 days
• Dram shop claims require 120-day notice to the bar or retailer
• PIP benefit claims must be brought within one year of the date of the expense or service
• Medical malpractice has a two-year general period plus discovery rules
• Wrongful death runs from the date of death, subject to other applicable rules

The Discovery Rule

Some claims don't start running until you knew or should have known about the injury. This can extend deadlines, but you can't count on it. Always talk to a lawyer early.

Bottom Line

Don't wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses move, and records get overwritten. Even if you're within the statute of limitations, every day that passes makes your case harder to prove.

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