What to Do After a Car Accident in Michigan

If you have been involved in a car accident in Michigan, the most important things to do are to move to safety, call 911, document the scene, seek medical attention, and report the accident to your own insurance company within the required time frames. Michigan is a no-fault state, which means your own insurer is responsible for paying your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits regardless of who caused the crash. Taking the right steps early protects both your health and your ability to recover full compensation.

Below is a comprehensive checklist that walks through every critical action, from the first moments at the scene through the insurance filing process.

Immediate Steps at the Scene

The minutes after a collision are disorienting, but what you do at the scene can make or break your claim later. Follow these steps in order:

• Check for injuries. Before anything else, assess yourself and your passengers. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately.
• Move to safety. If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to do so, move them to the shoulder or out of traffic lanes. Turn on your hazard lights.
• Call 911. Under Michigan law, you must report any accident that involves injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. A police report creates an official record of the crash.
• Exchange information. Collect the other driver's name, phone number, address, insurance company and policy number, driver's license number, and license plate number.
• Document the scene. Use your phone to photograph vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signs, and the general layout of the intersection or roadway. Take photos from multiple angles.
• Gather witness information. If bystanders saw the crash, ask for their names and phone numbers. Witness testimony can be valuable later.
• Do not admit fault. Be polite and cooperative, but avoid saying "I'm sorry" or "it was my fault." Liability determinations are complex, and an apology can be used against you.

Seeking Medical Attention

Even if you feel fine at the scene, you should see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours. Many serious injuries — including whiplash, soft tissue damage, concussions, and internal bleeding — do not produce noticeable symptoms right away.

Prompt medical treatment serves two purposes. First, it protects your health by catching injuries early. Second, it creates a documented medical record linking your injuries to the accident. Insurance companies routinely argue that gaps in treatment mean the injuries were not serious or were caused by something else. Seeing a doctor quickly closes that argument.

Follow your doctor's treatment plan and keep every appointment. If you are referred to a specialist, physical therapist, or imaging center, follow through. Consistent treatment strengthens your claim.

Reporting the Accident

Michigan law requires you to take several reporting steps after a crash:

• Police report. If law enforcement did not respond to the scene, you can file a report at the nearest police station or the county sheriff's office. Michigan's Traffic Crash Report (UD-10) is the standard form used statewide.
• Notify your insurance company. You must notify your own auto insurer of the accident as soon as reasonably possible. Under Michigan's no-fault system, PIP benefits come from your own policy, so prompt notification is essential.
• Written application for PIP benefits. Under MCL 500.3145, you must submit a written application for PIP benefits within one year of the date of the accident. Missing this deadline can result in losing your benefits entirely.

Filing Your Michigan PIP Claim

Michigan's no-fault insurance system requires every driver to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP benefits can cover reasonable and necessary medical expenses, wage-loss benefits (up to 85% of your gross income for up to three years), replacement services for household tasks you can no longer perform, and attendant care provided by family members or professionals.

When you file your claim, your insurer will assign an adjuster. The adjuster will request medical records, employment documentation, and other proof. Respond to these requests promptly, but be careful about signing broad medical authorizations that allow the insurer to access your entire medical history. You are only required to provide records related to the accident.

What NOT to Do After a Michigan Car Accident

Certain mistakes can weaken your claim or cost you benefits. Avoid the following:

• Do not leave the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or significant property damage is a criminal offense under Michigan law.
• Do not give a recorded statement without legal advice. The at-fault driver's insurance company may contact you and ask for a recorded statement. You are generally not required to provide one, and anything you say can be used to minimize your claim.
• Do not post about the accident on social media. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys routinely monitor claimants' social media accounts. Photos, check-ins, and casual comments can be taken out of context and used against you.
• Do not accept a quick settlement. Early settlement offers rarely reflect the full value of your claim. Once you sign a release, you cannot go back and ask for more.
• Do not miss treatment appointments. Gaps in medical treatment give insurers a reason to argue your injuries are not serious.

When to Contact an Attorney

While minor fender-benders may not require legal help, you should strongly consider consulting a Michigan car accident lawyer if any of the following apply:

• You suffered injuries that required medical treatment.
• You missed work due to your injuries.
• Your PIP benefits were denied or delayed.
• The other driver was uninsured or underinsured.
• Your injuries may meet the serious impairment of body function threshold under MCL 500.3135, allowing you to pursue a third-party claim.
• A loved one was killed in the crash and you need guidance on wrongful death options.

An attorney can evaluate your case, identify all available sources of recovery, handle communications with insurers, and ensure you meet every filing deadline. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless you recover compensation.

If you were hurt in a Michigan car accident and have questions about your rights, reach out to Baldori Law. We offer free consultations and can help you understand your options.