If you are involved an automobile collision in Michigan, there are important legal, medical, and insurance steps you should take immediately to protect your health and legal rights. Car accidents are scary, stressful ordeals, especially in the unfortunate event you get personal injuries.
From the best personal injury attorney Michigan has to offer, this education guide contains some educational pro-bono advice covering key things you should do immediately after an accident—at the scene, in the hours following, and the days after.
Read this guide to learn about gathering helpful evidence, getting treatment for medical issues, starting your insurance claim, and how to approach experts to stand up for your safety and well-being if the accident was truly not your fault so you can be compensated. Let’s get started!
Check if you are Injured and Call for Help
The first thing you should do (if able)-after any collision is to do a quick visual survey to check if you, your passengers, or the other vehicle’s occupants are injured. You need to do this even if the damage looks minor because adrenaline or shock has been known to mask serious unseen trauma from airbag deployments and impact forces.
If you are in a position to, the next thing you should do immediately is to call 911 if anyone complains of intense pain, bleeding, or if they are unconscious. Calling for help is very important in car accidents as it warrants an ambulance will be on its way to transport injured persons to emergency care.
For less dire complaints like bruising, whiplash stiffness, or mild disorientation, carefully move yourself or the victim to a safe location find private transportation to a hospital or clinic. However, I will always recommend that accident victims call 911 first for a dispatcher evaluation. Police can also be dispatched to officially document the crash.
Important! Never downplay aches and pains – be thorough getting medical assessments because this information will also play a critical role should you choose the legal route for compensation.
Gathering Evidence from The Scene
As you wait for first responders, be collecting useful evidence from the car accident scene. You can take some photos showing damage to all vehicles involved, any skid marks on pavement, scattered debris wide views of the surroundings to cover the weather or road conditions. While at it, try and get the contact details of the other party and statements from bystanders or other motorists.
Also, ensure you note important details like the date, time, accurate location, direction of travel for each car involved, speed limit, any traffic signs or signals, and visual obstacles. Note if the other driver was distracted too. Photos (even cellphone quality) and notes that accurately depict the scene will help you prove causal factors later with your Michigan personal injury attorney.
All this vital crash evidence will also be forwarded to insurance companies and your injury attorneys to establish fault and liability for compensation. You may be shaken but try remaining at the scene to carry out these documentation steps unless your injuries need urgent hospital transport.
Reporting Your Car Crash to Insurance Companies
Once the emergency responders allow you to leave the crash scene, I recommend you take the following insurance reporting steps immediately to be on the safe side:
- Notify your own car insurance provider about the collision and file an initial accident claim – I recommend you get an expert or attorney to help you file your insurance claim
- Get access to the other driver’s insurance company name and policy details including their account number
- Supply insurers your recollection of crash events when asked, but avoid making any statements admitting that it is your sole fault
- Ensure you request a copy of the official police report once complete to share with insurers
- Consult an experienced personal injury attorney before speaking further with insurers about liability matters or negotiating injury claim settlements
- Michigan Insurers will always investigate further to minimize payouts, so protect yourself by quickly retaining legal guidance from the start.
Seeking Medical Care for your car accident Injuries
Even if you feel fine initially after a crash, I advise you get examined by a doctor to check for potential injuries. Symptoms from concussions, internal bleeding, fractures, or soft tissue damage usually manifest hours or days later as adrenaline wears off.
Make sure to share full details of the accident with the doctor for proper diagnostic testing and documentation. Also Keep all records related to medical visits, imaging scans, procedures performed, medications prescribed, devices fitted, and expenses billed. Paperwork will be used to support your injury claims against insurers.
Lastly, please follow the doctors’ orders for complete healing after a car accident. Ignoring your care needs can negatively impact your legal negotiations, so prioritize evidence-backed treatment through qualified providers after any collision.
Final Thoughts
Although you cannot undo the effects of a traumatic accident, following the proper protocols will preserve your rights for fair restitution. Focus most importantly on healing physically and mentally knowing expert counsel is fighting for your best interests.
