Statute of limitations in Michigan

A statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing a civil lawsuit in Michigan. For a claimant here, the practical effect is direct. Once the window closes, a court will generally dismiss the case, and the strength of the underlying facts rarely matters after that point. The clock does not pause because you are still negotiating, gathering paperwork, or waiting to feel better.

For personal injury, Michigan sets that deadline at 3 years. This figure comes from Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805, the general statute governing time limits for injury to a person or property. It reaches the common situations people picture when they think of an accident claim, such as a fall on someone else's property or an injury caused by another driver.

Other claim types carry their own periods, and they are not all the same length. This page currently lists the personal injury deadline. Where your situation involves a different kind of claim, the applicable period may be shorter or longer, and confirming it against the official code or with a licensed Michigan attorney is the safer course.

Most Michigan deadlines run from the date a claim accrues. Accrual generally happens when the wrong is done and the resulting harm occurs, not when you decide to take action. For a straightforward injury, that is often the day of the incident itself.

Some situations are less obvious. A person may not know right away that they were harmed, or that someone else's conduct caused it. Michigan law addresses these discovery-type questions through specific statutory provisions rather than a single blanket rule, and how they apply depends heavily on the type of claim and the facts. The general limitations statute sets the baseline period, while separate provisions can shift when the clock is treated as starting.

Because accrual can turn on small details, two claims that look similar may carry different filing deadlines. Counting from the wrong date is a common and costly mistake. When the start date is unclear, write down what happened and when you learned of it, then check the controlling statute before assuming the window is still open.

Michigan recognizes several circumstances that can pause, or toll, a limitations period, along with a few that change how it is measured. These rules are narrow, and they do not apply automatically to every case.

Age and mental capacity matter. When a person is a minor or is legally disabled at the time a claim accrues, Michigan law may extend the time to file, though the details and any limits are set by statute. A defendant who leaves the state or conceals themselves can also affect the running of the clock in certain situations.

Claims against government bodies deserve separate attention. Suing a state or local entity in Michigan often involves formal notice requirements and shortened timelines that differ sharply from ordinary claims, and missing an early notice step can end a case before the main deadline is ever reached. Because these exceptions carry precise conditions and numbers that are not listed on this page, treat them as reasons to read the statute closely rather than assumptions you can lean on.

This page currently covers one claim type, with more detail than a single number can show.

Personal injury carries a 3-year deadline under Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805. This category reaches many everyday injury situations: harm from a vehicle collision, a fall caused by an unsafe condition, or another person's careless conduct that leads to physical injury. The same general statute also addresses injury to property within its provisions. The 3-year figure is the current general rule for these claims.

The label on a claim is not always obvious. What looks like a simple injury matter can involve overlapping theories, and a different legal category can carry a different deadline. Contract disputes, professional malpractice, defamation, and similar matters run on schedules that are not shown here. For any claim type not listed on this page, the periods differ, so check the official Michigan code or ask a licensed attorney rather than assuming the 3-year period applies.

Time is easier to manage when you act early. If you think you may have a claim, start by preserving records the situation generated, such as medical records, photos, repair bills, correspondence, and the names of anyone who saw what happened. Evidence fades, and memories fade with it.

Next, confirm which period actually applies to your situation. The personal injury deadline on this page is 3 years, but the right figure depends on how your claim is classified, and a misread here can be hard to undo. Reading Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805 and any related provisions gives you the statutory language rather than a summary.

Give yourself margin. Filing close to the last day leaves no room for the delays that routinely come up, from tracking down a defendant to finalizing paperwork. A licensed Michigan attorney can help you confirm the controlling deadline and the steps that fit your facts. This page offers general legal information, not legal advice about any particular case.