Car accidents are traumatic experiences that can leave lasting emotional and psychological scars sometimes long after physical injuries have healed. If you’re suffering from anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other emotional distress after a crash, you may be wondering if Michigan law allows you to sue for those mental and emotional injuries. The answer is yes, but there are specific legal thresholds and evidence requirements that must be met.
Under Michigan’s no-fault system, emotional distress and PTSD are considered non-economic damages and are not automatically covered by your own insurance. However, if your emotional harm is tied to a serious impairment of body function or results from another driver’s negligence, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit for compensation. This page explains when and how emotional distress becomes legally actionable, what proof you need, and how an experienced attorney can help protect your rights.
Common Emotional and Psychological Injuries After a Crash
Not all injuries from a car accident are visible. Many victims experience severe emotional or psychological effects that disrupt their daily lives just as much—if not more—than physical injuries. These mental health conditions can develop immediately after the crash or surface gradually over time. Some of the most common emotional and psychological injuries that result from car accidents include:
While these conditions may not leave physical scars, their impact can be just as debilitating. Emotional injuries can affect your ability to work, maintain relationships, and function in everyday life. Recognizing these symptoms early and seeking professional help is critical not only for your recovery but also for documenting your condition for a potential legal claim.
How to Prove Emotional Distress or PTSD in a Lawsuit
Emotional distress and PTSD are real injuries, but they’re not always easy to prove. Unlike physical injuries that show up on scans or X-rays, emotional trauma requires different forms of evidence and in Michigan, meeting the legal threshold is essential if you’re pursuing a third-party lawsuit. To build a strong claim for emotional harm, you’ll need documentation that shows both the severity of your symptoms and the impact on your daily life. This often includes professional diagnoses, consistent treatment, and statements from people who’ve observed changes in your behavior.
Having the right evidence can make or break your emotional distress claim. Courts in Michigan look for more than just temporary stress. They want to see proof of a serious mental injury that has a lasting effect. Working with an experienced attorney ensures that the necessary evidence is gathered and presented effectively.
Can You Sue Without a Physical Injury in Michigan?
This is one of the most common questions people ask after a crash and the answer depends on Michigan’s unique auto insurance laws. Under the state’s No-Fault system, you typically cannot sue for non-economic damages like emotional distress or PTSD unless your injuries meet a certain threshold.
To file a third-party lawsuit, Michigan law requires that you suffer a “serious impairment of body function” under MCL 500.3135. This usually means there must be a significant physical injury that affects your ability to live your normal life. However, emotional distress or PTSD can be part of your claim if they accompany or result from qualifying physical injuries.
In rare cases, Michigan courts may consider severe emotional harm such as medically documented PTSD as part of the overall impairment, especially when it has long-term effects on your daily life. But without a physical injury, emotional distress claims are more difficult to pursue and win. If you’re unsure whether your emotional injuries qualify, speaking with a personal injury lawyer can help clarify your options under Michigan law.
Damages for Emotional Distress and PTSD After a Car Accident
If your emotional injuries meet Michigan’s legal threshold, you may be eligible to recover non-economic damages through a third-party lawsuit against the at-fault driver. These damages compensate you for the mental, emotional, and psychological toll the accident has taken on your life even if your financial losses are minimal. Courts recognize that emotional harm can affect every part of your life, from your relationships to your ability to work or enjoy everyday activities. The exact amount you can recover depends on the severity of your condition, medical documentation, and how deeply your trauma impacts your day-to-day living.
These damages aren’t capped in Michigan, but they do require strong evidence and expert support. A skilled attorney can help you demonstrate how your life has changed due to the crash and ensure you’re not left without compensation for your suffering.
Understanding Michigan’s No-Fault Law and Emotional Harm Claims
Michigan’s No-Fault insurance system was designed to ensure that crash victims can get immediate medical and wage loss benefits without needing to prove fault. But when it comes to emotional distress and PTSD, your No-Fault (PIP) coverage doesn’t provide compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering or mental anguish. That means if you’re suffering emotionally after a crash, your PIP benefits may help with things like:
However, if you want to pursue compensation for emotional pain, mental trauma, or loss of enjoyment of life, you’ll need to file a third-party lawsuit against the at-fault driver. To do so, your emotional injuries must be tied to a serious physical injury or meet Michigan’s legal threshold for impairment. This distinction is why so many emotional distress claims fall outside of the No-Fault system and require the help of an experienced car accident attorney. The right legal guidance can help you recover what PIP does not cover.
Let Us Help You Recover from the Emotional Impact of a Crash
If you’re dealing with PTSD or emotional distress after a Michigan car accident, you don’t have to face it alone. These cases can be challenging to prove, but with the right legal support, you can pursue the compensation you deserve. At The Clark Law Office, you’ll work directly with an experienced attorney, not a case manager or associate. We’ll help gather the evidence, guide you through the legal process, and fight for fair compensation. If the insurance company won’t take your claim seriously, we will. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Explore how emotional harm fits into your legal recovery options in our car accident compensation guide.
FAQs About Emotional Distress and PTSD After Car Accidents
