There are generally two types of personal injury damages recoverable after a car accident. First, if an injured person satisfies the Michigan threshold requirement of serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement, the injured party can be compensated for non-economic damages or injuries to the person. This consists of the following:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Fright and shock
- Denial of social pleasure and enjoyment of life
- Embarrassment, humiliation or mortification
The other form of compensation is for economic damages, which does not require a finding of a threshold injury involving a Michigan resident and includes:
- Medical expenses for care and rehabilitation
- Attendant and nursing care for the injured person
- Past and future wage loss
- Property damage
- Mini tort – up to $3,000.00 for repair or replacement of your car
- Collision repair damages depending on the type of coverage
Please contact our Ann Arbor Personal Injury Law Firm for a free consultation to explain your rights in detail after a car accident causing personal injury in Michigan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two main types of compensation available after a car accident in Michigan?
The two main types are non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life) and economic damages (including medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage). Non-economic damages require meeting Michigan's threshold requirement of serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement.
What is Michigan's threshold requirement for non-economic damages?
To recover non-economic damages in Michigan, an injured person must satisfy the threshold requirement of either serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement. This is a legal standard that must be met before compensation for pain and suffering can be awarded.
What types of economic damages can I recover after a car accident?
Economic damages include medical expenses for care and rehabilitation, attendant and nursing care costs, past and future wage loss, and property damage. Property damage compensation includes mini tort coverage (up to $3,000 for vehicle repair or replacement) and collision repair damages depending on your insurance coverage.
Do I need to meet the threshold injury requirement to recover economic damages?
No, economic damages do not require a finding of a threshold injury for Michigan residents. You can recover medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage regardless of whether you meet the serious impairment threshold.
What is mini tort coverage in Michigan?
Mini tort is a type of property damage coverage in Michigan that allows you to recover up to $3,000 for the repair or replacement of your vehicle after a car accident. This is separate from collision coverage and is available even if you don't have collision insurance.








