Michigan Car Accident Lawyers

Remain at the Scene of the Michigan Car Accident and Contact the Police

Don’t let panic cause you to flee the scene of the accident; in fact, Section 257.618 of the Michigan Vehicle Code shows that it is against the law to do so.

Instead, Michigan law requires you to immediately contact the police and remain on the scene until their arrival, where you should answer their questions and provide them with needed information.

While you wait for the police, only move the vehicles involved if they are blocking traffic or put you in further danger. Leave the hazard lights on to alert other drivers to the situation so they can safely go around you. It will also help the police find the scene of the accident.

Document What Happened

It’s essential to immediately start obtaining the information you’ll need from your Michigan car accident. This documentation includes:

• Police report

At the scene of the car accident, the police will interview the drivers, passengers, and witnesses. They will also inspect the vehicles, gather information, and assess the situation. They will then put these findings in a police report.

Also called an accident report, a police report is a detailed record written by law enforcement that contains information surrounding an accident. This will be an essential document if and when the time comes to prove what happened for injury settlements, medical bill payments, and property damage.

This report may include damage to vehicles, injuries, where and when the accident occurred, and names of eyewitnesses to the accident. It may also include a diagram of the accident scene and information about who was cited for the accident.

You can get this report either online or from the records division at the police station that responded to the car accident.

• Witness accounts

In addition to the police report, try and get the contact information of anyone who was an eyewitness to the car accident. This can include any passengers, pedestrians, bystanders, as well as any drivers who may have pulled over to help.

• Photos

If you are able to do so, take photos of anything related to the accident: the vehicles involved in the crash and their license plates, the scene of the accident from different angles, as well as any injuries on the day of the accident and as they heal.

Seek Medical Treatment After Your Michigan Car Accident

Adrenaline from the car accident can temporarily mask injuries and dull pain. That means you may be injured from the accident without even realizing it.

Promptly seeing a physician after an auto accident is therefore very important, regardless of whether or not you are in a lot of pain. Medical professionals can check for injuries that require immediate attention, such as internal organ damage or concussions. A trained physician can also detect injuries such as whiplash that may have delayed symptoms but are still serious.

Make sure that health care providers also record and document all car accident injuries as well as symptoms of injuries, such as blurred vision, headaches, dizziness and loss of consciousness.

Contact Your Michigan Auto Insurance Provider

Michigan insurance firms only allow you a certain amount of time to report an accident–as short as 30 days. Your insurance company will want to know the location, injuries, damages, names of those involved, witnesses, and the police officer’s name and contact information who investigated the car accident.

However, you may first want to check and understand your insurance coverage before contacting your insurer. Reading the fine print for any exceptions or caveats relating to your accident is much easier with an attorney on your side, especially one that specializes in understanding Michigan insurance policies.

Keep Good Records After Your Car Accident

Along with the police report, witness accounts, and photos of the accident and injuries that were mentioned above, it’s important to keep track of other important records pertaining to your Michigan auto accident.

These records include:

• Any bills, expenses, or income loss as a result of the accident
• Medical records such as prescriptions, visits to the doctor, laboratory services, x-rays, and physical therapy, the dates of service and how much you paid.
• Any physical or mental trauma that resulted from the car accident and how it affected your daily life, work, mental health, or relationships.

Get Help From an Auto Accident Attorney

A qualified auto accident lawyer can help you with each one of the steps mentioned above. They can also make sure the steps are handled correctly to help you earn every dollar that you deserve under Michigan law.

What Not to Do After a Michigan Car Accident

Along with taking the aforementioned steps after an auto accident, it’s just as important to avoid making certain mistakes that may prevent you from receiving the treatment and compensation you deserve from your accident.

• Don’t Admit Fault

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, and consequences can be immediate. But even though you feel sorry for the loss and suffering of others, it’s important not to verbally accept fault for them if you weren’t the cause.

It’s also important to remember that both car crash victims and witnesses don’t always remember things correctly. This is just one more area in which an experienced Michigan auto attorney can help.

• Don’t Talk Unnecessarily to the Other Driver

After the auto accident, it’s important to exchange essential information such as driver’s license details and insurance policy documents, as well as offering any help if they are injured. However, Michigan car accident victims need to allow their attorney to acquire anything further or follow up with any more requests of information.

• Don’t Avoid Medical Treatment

If you are injured or are in pain from your Michigan car accident, you need to get medical treatment–regardless of what insurance companies say you deserve. Be sure to follow up with any orders or prescriptions from doctors or medical professionals in order to make the best recovery possible.

• Don’t Talk to an Insurance Adjuster or Sign Releases

Insurance companies are businesses. That means they are often looking out for their own interests, not yours.

You can expect a call from insurance adjusters within days or even hours of the car accident. But don’t be fooled; even though they may tell you they need your statement on file or are sympathetic to your suffering, they are likely looking to gather evidence against you so that they don’t have to pay as much.

If you happen to pick up one of their calls, tell them to contact your attorney. If they leave you a voicemail, have your attorney return their call.

Get Help From a Michigan Auto Accident Attorney

A qualified Michigan auto accident attorney can help you with each one of the steps mentioned above. They can also make sure the steps are handled correctly to help you earn every dollar that you deserve under Michigan law.

Contact Our Michigan Car Accident Lawyers For Help

With access to over 133 years of combined legal experience, Kajy Law knows how to help you after your car accident.

Our Michigan car accident attorneys will work hard to get you the largest settlement possible while providing the care and attention you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Call 248-702-6641 or use our contact form.