Three years is the general Michigan deadline to file a crash injury lawsuit, but that number misleads people. Waiting can still wreck the case long before 3 years runs out.

Factor 1: what deadline is really in play.

The big myth is "we've got three years, so we can wait." For a negligence claim against the at-fault driver, Michigan usually gives 3 years from the crash date. But if your husband needs No-Fault PIP benefits for medical bills, wage loss, or replacement services, delay is dangerous because unpaid benefits are limited by Michigan's one-year-back rule. Missed paperwork with the auto insurer can also create avoidable fights fast.

If the crash involved a government vehicle, bad road condition, or another public agency around Lansing, the notice rules can be much shorter and harsher.

Holiday weekend crashes also create early evidence problems: 911 audio, bar receipts, surveillance video, and witness memories disappear long before any court deadline.

Factor 2: how serious and complicated the injuries are.

If this was a minor soreness claim and treatment was brief, hiring a lawyer may not be necessary.

If he has a broken jaw wired shut, internal injuries, pelvic damage, surgery, a long work absence, or a dispute over who pays ongoing care, that is when a lawyer usually matters. Michigan's post-reform No-Fault system changed what insurance must pay, and insurers know overwhelmed families in Lansing often miss categories of benefits.

The more serious the injury, the less smart it is to "see how it goes."

Factor 3: whether the lawyer's fee agreement helps or traps you.

Most Michigan injury lawyers work on contingency, meaning they get a percentage only if money is recovered. Ask what percentage applies, whether it changes if suit is filed, and who pays case costs.

Red flags:

• pressure to sign immediately
• no clear explanation of fees, costs, or liens
• promises of a guaranteed dollar amount
• pushing a recorded statement without preparation

You can fire a lawyer mid-case in Michigan, but read the contract first. The first lawyer may claim a share of the fee for work already done, so switching late can get messy. If no lawsuit is filed yet and communication is bad, changing lawyers is usually easier than people think.