Many people in auto accidents often ask our lawyers about the costs for small claims and how small claims court works in Michigan. This is often after people are involved in a fender-bender and they have questions about getting their vehicle damage paid for and how the Michigan mini tort law works. We hope the following information helps.
Costs to file in small claims court are as follows:
Claim amount Filing fee
$1-$650 $25 + cost of certified mail or personal service
$651-$1,750 $45 + cost of certified mail or personal service
$1,751-$3,000 $65 + cost of certified mail or personal service
There are other possible fees including motion fees, witness/subpoena fees, fees if the process server is sent to the wrong address, etc.
It should also be noted that the mini tort fee will change from $25 to $45 on October 1, 2012, and the maximum amount that people can recover under the mini tort for car damage is changing from $500 to $1,000.
– Steve Gursten is an experienced car accident lawyer at Michigan Auto Law, Michigan’s largest law firm specializing in serious automobile accidents. Steve wrote the book, How to Repair Your Car Damage.
Michigan Auto Law helps people injured in car accident, truck accident and motorcycle accident cases throughout the entire state. We have offices in Farmington Hills, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Sterling Heights. Call (248) 353-7575 to speak with one of our lawyers.
