“When a person is seriously injured, they can’t replace their injured body. They’re going to have to figure out how to live inside that body with all the limitations and impairments they’re now suffering from following that injury. As an attorney, I can’t fix my clients’ injured bodies, but what I can do is help them with their legal rights so that life is somehow easier going forward” ~ Steve Sinas
Stephen Sinas
Steve is a partner at Sinas Dramis Law Firm which was founded in 1951 by his grandfather, Thomas Sinas, and his friend, Lee Dramis. Steve is proud to call himself a civil trial lawyer. He specializes in what’s commonly known as “personal injury law.” Unfortunately, with rampant misinformation in the media and tacky legal advertising practices, many personal injury lawyers get a bad rap. However, Steve embraces the Sinas Dramis Law Firm’s belief that personal injury trial lawyers have the honorable duty of advocating for those seriously injured or harmed by the wrongdoing of another person, company, or government. Steve passionately embraces that duty and believes it is a privilege to represent his clients. Steve does the hard work necessary to effectively tell his client’s stories and fully pursue all their rights under the law.
In addition to his work as an attorney, Steve works as an Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University College of Law where he teaches the course on the Michigan Auto No-Fault Insurance Law. Steve enjoys his teaching opportunity, as it gives him an academic forum to discuss the state of Michigan’s complex no-fault law and allows him to stay up-to-date on the law so he can best represent his clients who have been injured in Michigan auto accidents. In addition to teaching, Steve also presents numerous lectures and has published various articles on personal injury and civil justice matters (see more below).
Personal Injury Representation
Michigan auto injury cases are one of Steve’s primary specialties. Steve regularly represents people in auto negligence cases for injuries or deaths in crashes involving motor vehicles, semi-trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles. In these cases, Steve represents injured people in bringing their claims against the at-fault drivers involved in the crash.
Steve’s also specializes in litigating against auto insurance companies that wrongfully deny payment of no-fault benefits to injured people. Steve has had extensive experience litigating against insurance companies that have wrongfully denied benefits to catastrophically injured auto crash survivors.
In addition to auto-related cases, Steve’ handles a wide variety of other personal injury matters, including sexual assault cases, premises liability cases, dog bites, and many others.
Moreover, Steve also represents people who have suffered an injury as a result of police misconduct. In that regard, Steve has handled notable cases involving people being wrongfully shot and killed by law enforcement officials. These tragic cases cause Steve to reflect on how we must support and protect the courageous men and women who serve in law enforcement, we must make sure that no one is above the law and that human life is not unnecessarily harmed or lost.
Request a Free Personal Injury Consultation
Connect with Stephen Sinas
Email: stevesinas@sinasdramis.com
Phone: 517-394-7500
Toll Free: 866-758-0031
Awards & Recognition
Steve has been honored to receive several awards and recognitions throughout his career, some of which include the following:
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the field of Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law – 2024
- Recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyer in the field of Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law (2013-present)
- Recognized as a Leading Lawyers in the field Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law (2018-present)
- Selected as an Ingham County Bar Foundation Fellow, a distinction given to only 5% of attorneys practicing in Ingham County Michigan
- Won the 2019 Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law Review Distinguished Brief Award for the best civil law brief filed in the Michigan Supreme Court (2019)
- Selected as an Ingham County “Top 5 Under 35” attorney (2013)
- Won the Michigan State Bar Negligence Section Law School Writing Competition (2007)
Testimonials
Here’s what just a few of Steve’s satisfied clients had to say:
Steve and his staff at Sinas Dramis, were diligent, kind, and thorough. Communication was fantastic from start to finish. Because of their efforts, my mother has the resources that she needs to get the care that she deserves. We are so very thankful.–NATHAN, GOOGLE
Steve Sinas’s presentation of me at trial was winning in a style that was believable, honest, thorough, and won with the jury. Everyone at his firm was genuinely helpful and kind. I felt like I’d stepped back a hundred years to a kinder, gentler time in America. My life is forever touched and enriched and my belief in the goodness of humanity is strengthened by Mr. Sinas and his firm! -Anonymous
Mr. Sinas is a real attorney. One that will, and does, fight for his clients and goes the extra mile. Simply put (and biased, by my fantastic experience) he is the best at what he does. He gets the job done and he helps the people. I highly recommend Mr. Sinas to anyone and everyone in Michigan that needs help.–ROBERT, AVVO.COM
Noteworthy Cases
A Few of Steve’s Notable Recent Results
| $7,775,000 | Steve advocated and helped achieve a settlement for one Michigan family in the aftermath of a catastrophic auto accident which resulted in serious physical injuries, emotional and psychological trauma, and the untimely death of a loved one. |
| $2,500,000 | Lansing semi-truck accident catastrophically injuring a 19-year-old woman who sustained a traumatic brain injury, multiple facial, neck, and leg fractures. |
| $950,000 | Underinsured motorist settlement recovery on behalf of the estate of a Michigan resident killed in a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Florida. The recovery also included compensation for the person’s wife, who sustained minor injuries in the crash. The couple was insured under a policy that included $1 million UIM benefits. The liability of the at-fault driver was contested, as the driver appeared to be having an emergency medical event at the time of the crash, which could have negated his liability entirely. |
| $600,000 | Motorcyclist was struck by a turning vehicle and hit head-on. Sustained multiple right upper extremity injuries. |
| $3,000,000 | Settlement for the wrongful death of a 56-year-old man resulting from police misconduct/unjustified use of lethal force. |
| $1,000,000 | Macomb County motor vehicle/pedestrian collision resulting in brain injury and other injuries. Liability was contested as the client-pedestrian was struck at nighttime while jaywalking and wearing dark clothing. |
| $873,353.57 | Recovery of Michigan no-fault benefits for his client, a Lansing man injured in an automobile accident who sustained a serious brain injury. |
| $536,857 | With a settlement offer vastly insufficient for compensating Steve’s client for his serious injuries, Steve and his client proceeded to trial where the jury awarded a verdict nearly five times the amount offered by the insurance company. |
| $500,000 | Policy limit settlement for 26-year-old Lansing woman violently attacked by a dog while working for lawn care service; sustained fractures, scarring, and psychological injury. |
These are just a few of Steve’s results on behalf of his clients. More of the firm’s results can be found here.
Practice Areas
Personal injury, auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, semi-truck accidents, police misconduct, brain injury cases, healthcare law
Leadership Roles and Community Service
Steve believes lawyers should do everything they can to further the causes they believe in and give back. In that effort, Steve serves in the following leadership capacities:
- President, Board Member, former Secretary, former Treasurer, Former Vice President of Ingham County Bar Association
- President of the Board, Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council (MBIPC).
- Member of the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ) Executive Board.
- Legal Counsel for the Coalition for Protecting Auto No-Fault (CPAN).
- Fellow with the Ingham County Bar Foundation.
- Former Member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Character & Fitness Committee (District E) (2012-2018)
Education
- B.A. – University of Michigan (2004) – Economics (major), English Literature Language (major), Modern Greek Language and Culture (minor)
- J.D. – Wayne State University Law School (2007)
More About Steve as a Person.
Steve lives with his spouse and two sons in East Lansing. He tries to remain curious about the world. He enjoys reading and learning as much as his free time allows. He loves music of all kinds. He is also dedicated to physical fitness and has participated in a wide variety of endurance athletic events, including several marathons. Steve finds that exercising is not only essential to physical health but also mental well-being. Steve believes his appreciation for physical fitness and exercise helps him to better advocate for injured people and understand the true extent of their loss.
Media Appearances and Interviews
As part of the firm’s mission to help Michigan residents understand the legal system, Stephen is regularly called upon to help explain a person’s rights regarding personal injury law, auto accidents, and the auto no-fault law.
In partnership with WLAJ 53, Steve regularly appears on “In the Name of the Law” as the show’s foremost thought leader on personal injury law. You can watch all episodes of “In the Name of the Law” here.
A few of Steve’s other media appearances and interviews include:
Experts say Michigan’s “bipartisan success” on no-fault reform is really a “bipartisan failure,” as people lose care – A recent NPR article covers the current struggle that Michigan auto accident survivors are facing due to the 2019 no-fault reforms.
No-fault Reform Continues Impact on Families – In an article on InsuranceNewsNet.com, Steve was featured in explaining some of the history and political influence in the passing of the 2019 Michigan auto no-fault reforms.
Cut-Rate Insurance (2020) – interview by DBusiness Journal regarding whether or not Michiganders will really receive the auto insurance premium rate reduction they were promised as Michigan’s no-fault reform comes into full effect July 1, 2020.
Lawmakers to Committee: Residents Demand Major No-Fault Fix (2019) – Crain’s Detroit quoted Steve in an article regarding the demand of Michigan residents to fix the no-fault system and provide rate relief.
Motorcyclists Worry Insurance Reform Law Leaves Them Vulnerable(2019) – interview by The Detroit News to describe the apparent motorcyclist loophole created by the auto no-fault reform.
No-Fault Supports Say Capping Medical Benefits Hurts Consumers, Does Little to Bring Down Cost(2019) – a conversation with Stateside by Michigan Radio regarding the state’s recent passage of the no-fault reform legislation.
Great Lakes Restoration Plan; Michigan Murder Mystery; Auto No-Fault Reform Pushback (2019) – interview by Michigan Radio to discuss the pushback to no-fault reform efforts.
Off the Record Interviews Steve Sinas (2019) – Steve discussed the no-fault reform issues with Bill Ballenger, Emily Lawler, Jonathan Oosting, and capitol correspondent Tim Skubick
Whitmer Signs Historic No-Fault Auto Insurance Reform Bill(2019) – The Detroit News interviewed Steve, who describes the signing of the new no-fault legislation by Gov. Whitmer a “very sad day.”
MDOT Considers Improvements to US-127/I-496 Interchange(2018) – Steve discussed his concerns with this stretch of dangerous highway as a commuter who travels it every day with WLNS 6.
What Are Your Rights As An Airline Passenger?(2017) – spoke with Lansing’s WILX Channel 10 about airline passenger rights, in light of a United Airlines incident where a passenger was forcibly removed from an overbooked flight.
YouTube
Speaking Engagements
Some of Steve’s recent speaking engagements include the following:
“UM/UIM Claims” – MAJ No-Fault Institute, October 2021
Changes to Auto No-Fault Practice – Detroit Bar Association, March 2021
Right to Recover Medical Expenses in Auto Tort Cases – MBIPC’s 5th Annual Auto No-Fault Boot Camp for Medical Providers, January 2021
New Auto No-Fault Reform – People’s Law School, October 2020
No-Fault Reform – virtual presentation with Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, June 2020
Michigan’s New Auto No-Fault Presentation, East Lansing Kiwanis, March 2020
No-Fault Town Hall, Detroit, February 2020
“The New Auto No-Fault Law”, University Club and Conference Center, January 2020
No-Fault Town Hall, Livingston County, January 2020
No-Fault Presentation, Council of Black Baptist Pastors, December 2019
PIP Choice Options and Opt-Outs – VTC Insurance Group, October 2019
Auto No-Fault Presentation – Therapeutic Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centers, October 2019
“The New PIP Choice Options” No-Fault Institute XVI, October 2019
No-Fault Presentation for Mary Free Bed at Sparrow Hospital, September 2019
Michigan Auto Insurance Promise Rally – sponsored by CPAN, rally on Michigan’s capitol building regarding the 2019 no-fault reform, September 2019
Michigan No-Fault Reform: Understanding the Controversy – People’s Law School, September 2019
BIAMI Annual Fall Conference – spoke with George Sinas and Thomas Sinas regarding the no-fault reform, September 2019
Judicial Update, MBIPC Luncheon, 2019
Judicial Update, MBIPC Luncheon, 2018
“The State of No-Fault Insurance in Michigan” – Michigan Lawyers Weekly live webinar, July 2017
“Auto No-Fault 101” Town Hall, May 2017
Evidentiary Hurdles in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases – 4th Annual No-Fault Summit (ICLE), April 2017
The Continuing Evolution of No-Fault Causation Law: PIP and Tort Cases – MAJ No-Fault Institute, September 2016
To Deny or Not Deny Attorney Fees: What Is Reasonable? – 3rd Annual No-Fault Summit (ICLE), April 2016
Auto No-Fault Update for Trauma Surgeons – Michigan College of Trauma Surgeons, November 2015
Auto No-Fault Update – CPAN Town Hall – Detroit, November 2015
Michigan Auto No-Fault Update for Medical Professionals – Mary Free Bed Spinal Cord Injury Symposium, October 2015
Overview of the Affordable Care Act and its Intersection with the Michigan No-Fault Law – People’s Law School, Lansing, October 2015
The Current Status of PIP Causation Law – MAJ No-Fault Institute, September 2015
Michigan No-Fault Update – ICLE On-Demand Seminar, September 2015
Panelist – Auto No-Fault Town Hall (organized by Michigan State Rep. Henry Yanez), September 2015
Auto No-Fault for Nursing Professionals – Michigan Nurses Association, September 2015
Auto No-Fault Update – CPAN Town Hall, Livonia, Michigan, August 2015
Depositions for Medical Professionals – Brain Injury Association of Michigan Legal Conference, June 2015
Overview of the Michigan No-Fault System – Michigan Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting, May 2015
Third-Party Auto Threshold Update – MAJ Rapid Fire Seminar, May 2015
Social Media for Practicing Attorneys – ICLE On-Demand Seminar, April 2015
Damages in PIP Cases: Understanding the Reasonable Charge Requirement – ICLE No-Fault Summit, April 2015
Auto No-Fault Update, CPAN Town Hall – Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 2015
In-Service Training – Hope Network, April 2015
The Admire Problem – STRIVE Recreational Therapy In-Service Seminar, April 2015
Auto No-Fault 101 for Lawyers – Ingham County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, Expand Your Practice series, February 2015
Auto No-Fault Law for Legal Assistants and Paralegals – National Association of Legal Secretaries, February 2015
Understanding the Auto No-Fault World – Arcadia Home Health Care In-Service Seminar, January 2015
Understanding the Auto No-Fault World – Ambrose Rehabilitation Consultants In-Service Seminar, January 2015
The Affordable Care Act and Its Implications – People’s Law School, East Lansing, 2014
Allowable Expense Benefits: Understanding §3107(1)(a) – Coalition for Protecting Auto No-Fault’s “Admire Workshop III”, 2014
Auto No-Fault First-Party Update On-Demand Webinar (Panelist) – Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2014
Admire v AutoOwners, Supreme Court Summer Seminar, 2013
Price v High-Pointe Oil Company – State Bar of Michigan Negligence Section’s Supreme Court Summer Seminar, 2013
Health Care Law Basics and the Affordable Care Act – People’s Law School, East Lansing, 2013
First-Party No-Fault Update 2013 – On Demand Seminars, 2013
Affordable Care Act Basics for Auto No-Fault Attorneys – No-Fault Institute X, 2013
Tort Liens & Subrogation – Intersection: The Michigan No-Fault Law & The Federal Affordable Care Act, 2013
Beyond Admire: Recent Court of Appeals Cases Regarding the Everyday Living Needs of the Catastrophically Injured – CPAN Admire Workshop, 2013
Constitutional Law & Civil Rights Litigation – People’s Law School, East Lansing, 2012
Johnson v Recca – Michigan Association for Justice’s “No-Fault Institute”, 2012
No-Fault Law Update – Upper Michigan Legal Institute, 2011
No-Fault PIP Causation Law – Michigan Association for Justice Seminar in the Snow, 2011
No-Fault PIP Causation Jury Instructions – Michigan Association for Justice’s “No-Fault Institute”, 2010.
Publications
Some of Steve’s publications include the following:
“Tort Becomes PIP: The New Right to Recover Excess “Allowable Expenses” from At-Fault Drivers” – This article authored by Steve covers the right for injured persons to recover medical expenses from at-fault parties in auto tort cases.
“Protecting the Injured: A Summary Guide to the New Auto No-Fault Law” – co-authored with George and Thomas Sinas, this brochure is an essential resource to those injured in Michigan motor vehicle accidents regarding their rights under the recently reformed no-fault law. “Protecting the Injured” replaces our former publication known as the “Rights and Benefits” brochure, which has been widely used throughout Michigan by injured people and the medical teams that provide them care.
“Making Smart Choices: A Summary Guide to the New Auto No-Fault Law“ – co-authored with George Sinas and Thomas Sinas, an in-depth guide to consumer choices under the 2019 reformed auto no-fault law
“Navigating the Chaos: the New No-Fault Legislation” – a thorough summary of the new auto no-fault legislation following its 2019 reform, co-authors George Sinas and Tom Sinas
“Flawed No-Fault Reforms and Flawed Autonomous Vehicles Laws: Justice is at Stake for Auto Accident Victims” Published article in Michigan Association for Justice Quarterly, Spring 2019
“A Different State of Affairs: Identifying the Rights and Benefits of Michigan Residents Injured in Out-of-State Auto Crashes and Out-of-State Residents Injured in Michigan Auto Crashes” Published written materials for the 2019 Institute for Continuing Legal Education No-Fault Summit.
“Autonomous Vehicles and the Future of Tort Liability in Michigan” Published written materials for the 2018 Michigan Association for Justice No-Fault Institute.
“Michigan Has Work to Do to Make Its Auto Laws as Smart as Its Autonomous Cars” – Opinion article, Detroit Legal News, May 2018
“Patient Assignments: Should Providers Use Them in This Post-Covenant Auto No-Fault World?” – Legal analysis co-authored with George Sinas and Tom Sinas
“Extending the One-Year Back Rule Will Decrease No-Fault Litigation and Benefit Everyone” Published article in Detroit Legal News, January 2017
“The Continuing Evolution of No-Fault Causation: PIP and Tort Cases” Published written materials for the 2016 Michigan Association for Justice No-Fault Institute
“Medical Providers and the Reasonable Charge Requirement” Published written materials for the 2014 Michigan Association for Justice No-Fault Institute
“The Intersection of the Affordable Care Act and the Michigan No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act” – article published as part of a compilation titled “Troubleshooting the Affordable Care Act,” State Bar of Michigan Health Care Law Section, 2015
“Moody v Home-Owners: What Does This Case Mean for Medical Providers?” – Michigan Association for Justice Quarterly Journal, Spring 2014
“Deciphering Two Related Concepts: No-Fault PIP Causation Law and the Decision in Griffith v State Farm” – published in the 2010 Thomas M. Cooley Law Review Symposium
“Fischer v Blankenship & the Seriousness of Permanent Disfigurement” – Michigan Association for Justice, Nov. 2009 Advance Sheet
“The Legal Rights of Michigan Citizens Have Been Limited by Recent Decisions of the Michigan Supreme Court” – State Bar of Michigan Negligence Section Quarterly Newsletter, Summer 2007
Co-Creator and editor of autonofaultlaw.com, a website dedicated to covering all appellate decisions regarding the Michigan Auto No-Fault Law