I’ve Been In A Car Crash In Michigan. What Should I Do Now?

Jun 9

People never plan to be in a car crash in Michigan, and for good reason. However, the moments immediately after a car crash can be critical to getting a recovery under Michigan law. What you do immediately after an accident can affect what happens with your potential case in the future. If you inadvertently admit fault, post the wrong thing on social media, or sign insurance papers prematurely, you may lose valuable insurance benefits as well as monetary compensation. Sadly, this happens far too often.

Here are some tips from our experienced car accident attorneys on what you should, and should not do, immediately after a car crash.

If you have been injured in a car accident and would like to discuss your situation with a lawyer at Schinkai Law, click here or call us at (616) 613-6777. One of our attorneys will be in touch with you directly.

Things To Do

If You Are Able, Move Your Car To A Safe Location

This first step is often overlooked, and that can lead to more serious injuries. If you are physically able to move your car to a safe location, and if your car is safe to move, doing so will lessen the chance of further collisions to you or your vehicle. It will also make it easier, and safer, for first responders to arrive at the scene of the crash.

Call An Ambulance If Anyone Is Hurt And Get Medical Attention If Needed

Right after a car crash, you might be injured, dazed, or confused. It is a very surreal and scary event. If you are able, call 911 and request an ambulance. A trained medical team should arrive on-site and provide medical assistance for all parties involved. They will help with serious injuries and may also assist with injuries that may not seem severe at the onset.

Take Photos Of The Crash Scene And All The Vehicles Involved

Most likely, the police will create a diagram of the crash scene and file a crash report, and they may take photos. However, your own photos can be critical in helping you get a financial recovery in your case. Your own photos may better show the damage to the cars involved. At worst, they will be used to supplement other information.

Take Photos Of Your Injuries

Once you have been medically treated, it is vital that you take photos of your own injuries. Both at the time of treatment and as they begin to heal. This will become important evidence in your case. These photos will allow your experienced car crash attorney to better explain your injuries and your recovery. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Exchange Information With The Other Drivers

If a police officer comes to the crash site, they should get this information as well. However, there is no guarantee that they will get the information, nor that it will be accurate. If you are able, try to get the names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information for all of the drivers involved in the crash. This will be used by your experienced car crash attorney to build out your case, interview possible witnesses, and also begin discussions with the appropriate insurance companies.

Get Contact Information For All Passengers And Other Witnesses

This is trickier, but serves an important purpose. When building out your case, your experienced car crash attorney will need to talk to different witnesses. Having this information available right after the crash helps… a lot. Contact information may change and witnesses may become forgetful. The sooner that witnesses can be contacted, and a statement is recorded, the better it will be for your car crash case.

Call An Experienced Car Crash Lawyer As Soon As Safely Possible

After a crash, it is always a good idea to contact an experienced car crash attorney as soon as safely possible after the crash. They will be able to help assess your case if you were the victim. They can work with you to gather crucial information right away, building the strongest case possible.

Before you contact a lawyer though, please make sure that you are in a physically safe location and that you have received proper medical care. Your physical well-being is the top priority.

Things Not To Do

Don’t Admit Fault Or Talk About The Accident Or Your Injuries With The Other Drivers

After a car crash, your adrenaline might be very high. You might be dazed, injured, and/or have a concussion. These things can all lead to you providing bad information that could hurt your case in the future. Limit what you say and who you talk to in order to only share the most important information. Tell the EMTs about your injuries. Explain to the police what happened to cause the crash. Share your contact information with the other drivers. Don’t expound.

Don’t Post About The Crash, The Other People Involved, Or Your Injuries, On Social Media

This is a very dangerous spot. You might initially think that your injuries are not severe and post something like “the crash was bad, but thankfully, I was not hurt.” Unfortunately, car crash injuries may not initially display themselves immediately, and a statement like that can harm your case.

This is just one of a million examples of things that you could post to social media after a crash. None of it will be helpful to you. However, it can be discovered by an insurance company or defense attorney. Therefore, after a crash, your best social media post is no social media post.

Don’t Talk To An Insurance Adjuster Or Sign Any Papers Before You Speak To A Lawyer

The insurance company’s goal is to save itself money, not protect you. If it’s your insurance company, it wants your premium, not to pay out on that premium. If it’s someone else’s insurance company, its goal is to simply minimize its exposure. This is harsh, but as our experienced car crash attorneys have seen far too often, it is also true.

Our legal team once represented a woman who had severe injuries, but waited to contact us. As we began to build her case, we contacted the insurance company only to find out that she had accidentally settled her case already for a fraction of its value. It broke our hearts; she potentially lost tens of thousands of dollars; and the insurance company moved on having tricked her to save itself a few bucks.

If you have hired an experienced car crash attorney, and the insurance company contacts you, tell them to contact your attorney and nothing else. That way, you are protecting your interests, and your case.

If you want more information about car crashes in Michigan, please read this FAQ.

Peter Schinkai