What to Do After a Car Accident in Michigan
Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran
Car accident laws in Michigan determine what to do after a car accident to access compensation or protect your legal rights. They regulate reporting requirements, timelines, and benefits that you are entitled to if you or a loved one is injured in a car accident. Working with a car accident lawyer in Michigan can simplify this process, allowing you to focus on recovery while an attorney handles legal matters.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident
Protecting your safety and that of others is the first step to take when involved in an accident. You can do this by:
- Moving your car to the side of the road
- Setting up flares and reflective triangles
- Turning on your hazard lights
- Calling 911 to report the accident and help other injured parties
The next step is to gather as much evidence as possible from the scene. Take photographs of the accident, traffic conditions, and the vehicles involved. Use a timestamp on your photographs for better documentation.
You should also exchange contact information with the other drivers involved in the accident, regardless of who is at fault. Request contact information from witnesses who may also help with the case.
Seek medical treatment immediately, even if you feel physically okay. It is possible for the rush from the accident to mask serious injuries, including internal injuries and soft tissue damage. Visit a doctor and request a checkup. Let them know you’ve been in a car accident so they know what to look for.
Prompt medical attention helps you establish the link between your injuries and the car accident, forming a strong basis for future legal claims.
Finally, report the car accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Be careful about admitting fault or speculating. If you’re uncertain how to deal with the insurance company, contact a car accident lawyer in Michigan to serve as your representative.
Understanding Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance System
No-fault insurance in Michigan helps victims of car accidents recover certain benefits after an accident, regardless of who is responsible for the accident. Through this system, you can recover a percentage of your medical bills, lost income, replacement services, and survivor’s benefits (if your loved one died in a car accident).
Under Michigan’s no-fault benefits insurance, you must file your claim within a year of the accident to recover compensation.
While the no-fault insurance benefits can cover some of your losses from the accident, you have additional avenues to seek compensation. Michigan car accident compensation benefits from personal injury claims allow you to recover additional damages from the party responsible for the accident.
Common Challenges in Car Accident Claims
Negotiating with insurance companies can be a challenge in car accident claims. Insurance companies may deny your claim or offer low settlements.
Dealing with insurance companies is a common challenge in car accident claims in Michigan. The insurance company may deny the claim or offer low settlements, trapping you in lengthy negotiations.
Liability is another common challenge that you must handle to identify the party responsible for the accident. Multiple parties can be liable for car accidents, including:
- Drivers
- Local, state, or federal agencies in charge of road maintenance
- Manufacturers (defective products)
When to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Michigan
Seeking legal help after a car accident can help you navigate some challenging issues in your case while protecting your rights and maximizing your compensation. Hiring an auto accident lawyer is not always necessary. However, if your case involves the following, working with a lawyer may be the best option:
- You were involved in a serious accident resulting in serious injuries or significant long-term medical needs and disability
- The insurance company has denied your claim
- There are disputes over liability
- There were multiple parties involved in the accident
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident?
Michigan car accident compensation benefits include:
- Medical Expenses: Under Michigan’s no-fault system, your PIP benefits cover medical expenses, including emergency room treatment, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, and ongoing medical care. If you’re eligible to sue the at-fault driver, you may also recover medical expenses that exceed your PIP coverage.
- Lost Wages and Income: No-fault benefits provide up to 85% of your gross income for up to three years if your injuries prevent you from working. If you’re eligible to pursue additional damages, you may be able to recover the remaining 15% of your lost income, as well as compensation for reduced earning capacity if your injuries permanently affect your ability to work.
- Pain and Suffering: If your injuries meet Michigan’s “serious impairment” threshold, you can pursue compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages can be substantial, especially in cases involving permanent injuries or a significant impact on your quality of life.
- Property Damage: No-fault insurance doesn’t cover property damage to your vehicle. You’ll need to pursue compensation for vehicle repairs or replacement through the at-fault driver’s property damage coverage or your collision coverage if you have it.
Protecting Your Rights and Securing Fair Compensation
What you do after a car accident affects your ability to secure fair compensation for your injuries. If you’ve been in a car accident in Michigan, contact an experienced car accident lawyer to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
The sooner you seek legal help after a car accident, the better positioned you’ll be to handle insurance companies, document your injuries, and maximize compensation.
Find a Car Accident Lawyer in Michigan
If you or someone you love has had their life changed by a car accident, get the legal representation you need. Speak with our compassionate, knowledgeable car accident lawyers at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C.. We can review your case, guide you through the claims process, and draft an impactful victim impact statement for your car accident case. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-642-4529 and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.
Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.
