If you are involved in a car accident, your first priority is to secure immediate medical attention for yourself or others who need urgent care. However, you may not understand what other important steps to take following an automobile accident – steps that can help to protect your rights and preserve evidence that may be necessary to determine the cause of the crash.
Michigan Injury Lawyers has handled many car accident claims, and our auto accident lawyers know what you should and shouldn't do if you are involved in a car crash. Based in Bloomfield Hills, our Michigan car accident lawyers represent clients across Michigan, including Macomb County, Oakland County, Warren, Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, St. Clair Shores, Mount Clemens, Utica, Roseville, Troy, Farmington Hills, Waterford, Southfield, Pontiac, Birmingham Michigan, Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills. Call Michigan Injury Lawyers at (888) 454-0801, or contact us online for an evaluation of your claim.
If there is no recovery in your case, there is no fee for our services.
If you become involved in a car accident, the following steps should be quickly taken:
- Seek medical treatment immediately – While this may seem obvious, many people hesitate to go to the ER, hoping their injuries are minor and will clear up without medical care. In fact, many injuries caused by car crashes aren't always visible right away – and it may be hours before pain and other symptoms appear. Seeking prompt care will accomplish two very important goals: (1) you may avoid more serious injuries if you have suffered internal damage or a head injury that requires urgent treatment; and (2) you will have documented that your injuries are directly linked to the car accident.
- When you do seek care, make sure to report all symptoms – Tell the doctors or EMS personnel every symptom you are experiencing. Headaches, dizziness, vision problems, ringing in the ears and feeling lightheaded are all symptoms of potentially serious injuries, yet they can also be associated with other conditions, and auto accident victims tend to report only symptoms they believe to be related to the accident. Tell the medical staff everything – and let them evaluate what is a serious injury-related concern.
- Return for additional care and attend all follow-up appointments – If you experience new or worsened symptoms, see your doctor right away. Don't cancel or delay appointments for follow-up evaluations, either; if you need to take legal action later, failure to attend appointments can be seen by insurance companies as an indication that your injuries weren't really that severe.
- Obtain a copy of your police report – Contact the police department where your accident happened to order a copy of your police report.
- Document everything – Photograph your injuries (if visible) as soon as possible. Keep records of all doctor and hospital visits, medication, lab work, X-rays and other test results, and any other treatments such as physical therapy. Include the date of service and cost for each visit. Also, keep a diary to note your pain and other symptoms – this will help your doctor and any legal case.
- Contact your car insurance company – You must inform your car insurance company right away. Although there is a three-year time limit to file a lawsuit against the other driver's insurance company, there is a strict one-year time limit in Michigan to file your Application for Benefits with your own insurer.
- Make sure you understand your insurance policy – Some insurers have additional time limits beyond the one-year deadline; others have specific deadlines for certain types of accidents. Don't lose your benefits because you didn't understand your policy.
- Don't sign any type of release or statement without an automobile accident attorney – Claims adjusters for insurance companies will often try to obtain your statement very quickly following an accident, when you may not even yet understand the extent of your injuries. These statements can then be used against you when you try to file a claim. In order to protect your rights, contact our experienced car accident attorneys first, before you sign anything.
Car accidents are traumatic events and they can cause significant injury, so it's important that you talk to a qualified automobile accident attorney. Our goal at Michigan Injury Lawyers is to ensure that you and your family obtain fair compensation based on your injuries. Call Michigan Injury Lawyers at (888) 454-0801 , or contact us online for an evaluation of your claim. If there is no recovery in your case, there is no fee for our services.