Michigan Crash Damages, Serious-Impairment Threshold & Mini-Tort

Serious impairment, death, or permanent serious disfigurement

MCL 500.3135 permits noneconomic tort recovery when the statutory threshold is met, including death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement. The statute defines serious impairment through an objectively manifested impairment of an important body function that affects the person’s general ability to lead a normal life. The analysis is individualized and should be supported with medical and functional proof, not diagnosis alone.

Economic loss and current PIP values

PIP and tort economic-loss analysis should be coordinated to avoid omission or double counting. DIFS Bulletin 2026-20-INS sets the maximum work-loss and survivors’-loss benefit at $7,455 per 30-day period for October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. DIFS also publishes fee-schedule and qualified-health-coverage adjustments that must be refreshed periodically.

Mini-tort vehicle damage

Michigan’s limited property-damage tort remedy under MCL 500.3135 allows qualifying recovery for uninsured vehicle damage subject to statutory conditions; for accidents after July 1, 2020, the maximum is $3,000. Collision coverage and PPI are separate forms of protection and should not be confused with mini-tort.

Comparative fault

MCL 600.2957–600.2959 reduce damages according to claimant fault and can bar noneconomic damages when claimant fault exceeds the aggregate fault of others under the statutory framework.