Broken Bones in Michigan Crashes: When Fractures Become Major Claims
A broken bone after a car accident is often brushed off as a routine injury. Many people assume that a fracture will heal with time and basic medical care. That assumption can be costly. We regularly see clients who were told their injuries were “minor,” only to face months of pain, surgery, missed work, and long-term complications. In Michigan, the legal classification of an injury can directly affect whether you can pursue compensation beyond no-fault benefits. What may seem like a straightforward fracture can quickly develop into a serious legal claim when the full impact becomes clear.
How Broken Bones Are Treated Under Michigan No-Fault Law
Michigan’s no-fault system requires your own insurance company to pay certain benefits regardless of who caused the crash. Under MCL 500.3107, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits cover medical expenses, wage loss, and replacement services.
For broken bones, this typically includes:
- Emergency treatment and hospital care
- Surgery, casting, and follow-up appointments
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Wage loss for up to three years
However, no-fault benefits are limited and do not cover pain and suffering. To recover these damages, you must meet Michigan’s legal threshold for a third-party claim.
When A Fracture Becomes A “Serious Impairment” Under Michigan Law
Not every broken bone automatically qualifies for a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Michigan law requires proof of a “serious impairment of body function” under MCL 500.3135.
Courts evaluate three key factors:
- An objectively manifested injury
- An important body function affected
- An impact on your ability to live your normal life
A simple fracture that heals quickly may not meet this threshold, but many fractures do. For example, a broken leg that prevents walking for months or a wrist fracture that limits your ability to work can qualify. We document how the injury affects daily life, employment, and long-term health.
Common Complications That Turn “Minor” Fractures Into Major Claims
Fractures often become more serious than initially expected. These complications can significantly increase the value of a claim:
- Surgical intervention with plates, screws, or rods
- Nonunion or delayed healing, where the bone does not properly mend
- Chronic pain or nerve damage
- Permanent loss of mobility or strength
- Post-traumatic arthritis
When these issues arise, the injury is no longer minor. It becomes a long-term condition that affects earning capacity and quality of life. Proper medical documentation is critical in these cases.
Proving Liability And Damages After A Michigan Car Accident
To pursue compensation beyond no-fault benefits, we must prove the other driver was negligent. This involves showing that the driver breached a duty of care and caused the crash.
We build these cases using:
- Police reports and crash investigations
- Medical records linking the fracture to the accident
- Testimony from treating physicians
- Employment records showing lost income
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault rule under MCL 600.2959. If you are partially at fault, your compensation may be reduced. If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover non-economic damages. This makes early case evaluation essential.
The Role Of Medical Evidence In Fracture Cases
Insurance companies often try to minimize broken bone claims. They may argue that the injury healed or that it does not meet the legal threshold. Strong medical evidence is the difference between a denied claim and a successful recovery.
We work to secure:
- Imaging studies such as X-rays and MRIs
- Surgical reports
- Physical therapy records
- Physician opinions on long-term limitations
This evidence shows not just the fracture, but its full impact on your life.
Statute Of Limitations For Michigan Injury Claims
Timing matters. Under MCL 600.5805(2), you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. No-fault claims for PIP benefits have additional notice requirements, including the one-year rule for unpaid benefits.
Delays can weaken your case or eliminate your right to recover compensation. Acting promptly allows us to preserve evidence and protect your claim.
Why These Cases Require Legal Representation
A broken bone case may seem straightforward, but insurance companies evaluate these claims aggressively. They often downplay injuries and push for quick settlements before the full extent of the damage is known.
We handle these cases by:
- Identifying whether the injury meets Michigan’s legal threshold
- Calculating long-term financial and medical impact
- Negotiating with insurers or taking the case to trial if needed
Our goal is to make sure the injury is treated for what it truly is—not what the insurance company claims it to be.
FAQs on Broken Bone Claims After Michigan Car Crashes
Can A Broken Bone Qualify For Pain And Suffering Damages In Michigan?
Yes, but only if the injury meets the serious impairment threshold under MCL 500.3135. This means the fracture must affect an important body function and your ability to live your normal life. Many fractures qualify, especially those involving surgery, long recovery periods, or lasting limitations.
What If My Fracture Healed, But I Still Have Pain?
Ongoing pain can support a claim if it impacts daily activities. Even if the bone technically healed, complications such as nerve damage or reduced mobility may still meet the legal threshold. Medical documentation is critical in these situations.
How Are Medical Bills Paid After A Michigan Car Accident?
Your own no-fault insurance pays medical expenses through PIP benefits under MCL 500.3107. This applies regardless of who caused the crash. However, coverage limits may apply depending on your policy.
Can I Still File A Claim If I Was Partially At Fault?
Yes. Michigan law allows recovery as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. Your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault under MCL 600.2959.
How Long Do I Have To File A Claim For A Broken Bone Injury?
You generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit under MCL 600.5805. Claims for no-fault benefits must be filed within shorter timeframes, including the one-year rule for unpaid benefits.
What Damages Can I Recover In A Fracture Case?
You may recover medical expenses, lost wages, and replacement services through no-fault benefits. If the injury meets the legal threshold, you may also pursue pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic damages.
Do All Broken Bone Cases Require Surgery To Qualify As Serious?
No. Surgery strengthens a claim, but it is not required. The key issue is how the injury affects your life. A fracture that limits mobility, prevents work, or causes lasting pain can qualify even without surgery.
Call Our Detroit Car Accident Lawyers
A broken bone after a crash can have long-term consequences that are not immediately apparent. We work closely with clients to understand the full impact of their injuries and pursue the compensation they are entitled to under Michigan law. Our team manages the legal process so you can focus on recovery.
If you suffered a broken bone in a Michigan car accident, call our Detroit car accident lawyers at Ravid & Associates, P.C. today by calling (248) 948-9696 to receive your free consultation. We represent clients in Detroit and throughout Michigan from our Southfield office locations. Let us help you take the next step forward.
