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Lansing Car Accident Lawyers You Can Trust
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After a car accident in Lansing, the stress can build quickly. Medical bills begin piling up, missed work affects your income, and insurance adjusters start asking questions. At the same time, Michigan’s no-fault system can make it difficult to understand what benefits are available and whether you can bring a claim against the driver who caused the crash.
Insurance companies handle these claims every day and often look for ways to limit what they pay. Delayed benefits, denied treatment, and low settlement offers can leave injured drivers struggling to move forward.
At Matz Injury Law, we have helped Lansing car accident victims pursue compensation for nearly five decades. We understand how personal injury protection (PIP) claims are built, where carriers push back, and what it takes to put you in the strongest possible position.
Why Lansing Crash Victims Choose Matz Injury Law
Matz Injury Law has spent decades advocating for the legal rights of accident victims, helping them recover financial compensation after auto collisions and other accidents. Our legal team listens to clients and works with them to get the most out of their car accident claims. The following are only a few of our experienced Lansing injury attorneys’ successes:
- A $4.15 million settlement for the family of a college student killed in a motorcycle accident, collected from three insurance companies
- A $1.3 million settlement in a truck accident case involving severe injuries to a mother and daughter
- A $500,000 settlement in Ingham County for catastrophic injuries to a two-year-old girl in a car crash
We have the experience, verdicts, and knowledge to represent you. Our fee structure is also just 22%, significantly lower than the industry standard of 33⅓%, so you receive more from your compensation. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case today.
Client Testimonials
“Steve Matz was there when I needed him. Nobody expects to be a victim of a car accident but when I found myself in that situation it was overwhelming. Steve made everything easy. Steve did not accept the insurance Company’s first offer. He held out and got me a better settlement. Steve is very kind and professional. I highly recommend Matz Injury Law.” — Sharon K.
“Jared Matz very professional made this process very easy we trusted him and he delivered, very easy to communicate with him and he made sure that we understand everything he went over every little detail and keeps you updated every step of the way. Thank you so much for getting the settlement as fast you did” — Doha A.
“This team was highly professional but also caring and compassionate. Every call, text and email was answered quickly and they all showed genuine concern and friendliness toward my family and I.” — Racheal M.
Lansing Car Accident Attorneys
What Should I Do After a Lansing Car Accident?
The days after a crash can feel overwhelming, and the decisions you make early often shape the rest of your claim. Here are four steps that can protect your case from the start:
- Report the crash. Contact law enforcement so a police report can be filed. In Lansing, you can obtain a copy of your Ingham County crash report through the Lansing Police Department or online through LexisNexis.
- Get medical attention right away. Even if you feel fine, some injuries take days to surface. A documented medical visit also creates a paper trail for your claim.
- Try to avoid giving a recorded statement until seeking legal counsel. Early statements can be used against you to limit or deny compensation.
- Try to hold off on any settlement offer. Early offers rarely reflect the full value of your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Speaking with a Lansing car accident lawyer early in the process can help you avoid costly mistakes and better understand your options under Michigan law. An attorney can deal with the insurance companies, protect important evidence, and help pursue compensation.
What Does Michigan No-Fault Insurance Actually Cover?
Under Michigan’s no-fault system, your own insurance pays your PIP benefits regardless of who caused the crash. These benefits can cover:
- All crash-related medical bills, if you selected unlimited coverage
- Up to $20 a day for three years for help around the house, if a doctor deems it necessary
- A nurse’s aide on an hourly basis, if medically necessary
- Mileage reimbursement to and from medical appointments, the hospital, pharmacy, and therapy
- Lost wages at 85% of your pre-tax income for up to three years, and that money is not taxable
While unlimited coverage remains available, Michigan drivers can now choose different levels of PIP medical coverage, including $50,000, $250,000, and $500,000. Some drivers may also qualify to opt out of PIP medical coverage entirely.
If your PIP coverage has a cap and your medical bills exceed that limit, this is where fault comes into play. You may need to bring a claim against the at-fault driver to recover the remaining losses.
Do You Have a Pain-and-Suffering Claim After a Lansing Car Accident?
PIP benefits cover your medical bills and lost wages, but they do not cover everything you’ve been through. Michigan law allows crash victims to file a claim against the at-fault driver for pain, suffering, aggravation, and inconvenience, but only if you meet specific legal thresholds.
To pursue that kind of third-party claim, you must be no more than 50% at fault for the crash, and your injury must fall into one of these three categories:
- Death
- Serious permanent disfigurement, such as significant facial scarring
- Serious impairment of an important body function that can be objectively identified and that affects the way you live your life
The third threshold is the most common. Spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and broken bones can all qualify, but whether your specific injury meets the legal standard depends on the facts of your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Michigan?
Michigan gives you three years from the date of your crash to file a personal injury lawsuit under MCL 600.5805(2). That may sound like plenty of time, but evidence disappears quickly after a crash. Witness memories fade, surveillance footage gets deleted, and the insurance company’s investigation is already underway from day one.
For PIP benefit claims, the deadline is shorter. You generally have one year from the date of the accident to file under MCL 500.3145. If your carrier has been delaying or underpaying your benefits, the deadline still applies.
Keep in mind that these are hard cutoffs. Missing either deadline can eliminate your right to recover entirely, regardless of how strong your underlying case might be. If you are unsure of the deadline that applies to your case, contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
How Matz Injury Law Handles Your Lansing Car Accident Case
We start with a free consultation to review what happened, walk you through your options under Michigan’s no-fault law, and give you an honest overview of what to expect. There’s no cost and no obligation.
From there, we move quickly. Evidence fades after a crash, and the earlier we can begin building your case, the stronger your position. Here is what that process may look like:
- Case investigation: We help gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, and any available surveillance or accident reconstruction evidence.
- Insurance negotiations: Our legal team handles all communication with the insurance companies involved, both yours and the at-fault driver’s.
- PIP benefit advocacy: If your insurance company delays, underpays, or cuts off your benefits, we can pursue reinstatement and fight for everything owed.
- Litigation, if needed: When a fair settlement is not possible, we take the case to court and handle everything through trial.
From investigation to trial, our fee is 22%, not 33%, and you do not have to pay unless we recover compensation. That difference can put thousands of extra dollars back in your pocket on a typical settlement. If you have difficulty getting to our office, we can make arrangements to meet you anywhere in Michigan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Lansing
Will My PIP Benefits Cover All My Medical Bills?
If you selected unlimited coverage, your PIP benefits cover all necessary crash-related medical expenses. If you chose a capped policy ($50,000, $250,000, or $500,000), bills beyond that cap may not be covered by PIP. In that situation, pursuing a third-party claim against the at-fault driver may be the path to covering the difference.
What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Michigan’s no-fault system still provides PIP benefits through your own insurance, regardless of whether the other driver was insured. You may also have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy that can help cover additional losses. Our legal team can review your policy and identify every available source of compensation.
Do I Have to Meet With My Insurance Company’s Doctor?
It depends on the type of case. In a PIP matter, if your carrier has already cut off your benefits without first requesting a defense medical exam (DME), you may be able to refuse one under Michigan’s “mend the hold” doctrine. In a third-party case, refusing a court-ordered DME can result in dismissal of your claim. Try to call us before responding to any DME request, because the right answer depends on your specific situation.
How Much Does a Lansing Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Generally, Michigan personal injury lawyers charge 33⅓% of whatever you recover. At Matz Injury Law, we charge 22%. On a $100,000 settlement, that difference is more than $11,000 that stays in your pocket. We offer free consultations and collect no fee unless you recover.
Talk to a Lansing Car Accident Lawyer Today
A car accident can leave you dealing with medical treatment, lost income, insurance disputes, and uncertainty about what comes next. You do not have to handle those challenges on your own. At Matz Injury Law, we are here to support you at every step of the legal process.
Steve and Jared Matz at Matz Injury Law bring decades of combined experience handling car accident cases and have extensive knowledge of Michigan law. Our firm has recovered over $300 million in settlements and judgments for clients, and they are ready to fight for you.
Contact us through the online form or by calling 866-226-6833 for your free consultation today.
Written By Steven Matz
Steven J. Matz is the founder of Matz Injury Law, specializing in personal injury litigation with a focus on car accident victims. With over 40 years of legal experience, Mr. Matz has achieved numerous million-dollar settlements. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized among Michigan’s Top Attorneys. Steven J. Matz is a frequent lecturer on legal ethics and personal injury law, and serves on the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board.
