Auto accidents are among one of the most common causes of accidental injury in the United States and injure hundreds of thousands of people each year. In fact, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning indicates1 that 71,378 were injured in traffic crashes in Michigan in 2014 alone. When these accidents are caused by the negligence of others, victims are often legally entitled to compensation for the losses they sustain, including their medical expenses, lost income, damage to their property, and pain and suffering.
After an accident, those involved may be scared, confused, and uncertain what to do next. It is important to be aware that the things that car accident victims say and do in the days and weeks following a car accident can have an impact on whether they will be able to recover compensation. Some of the steps that victims should take are detailed below.
Call emergency services – The first thing anyone involved in a car accident should do is call 911. This will ensure that anyone who is seriously injured receives emergency medical attention and will also result in the generation of a police report detailing how the accident took place.
Collect information – If they are able, people who are involved in a car accident should collect and document as much information of the accident as possible. Among the information to collect include:
- The names of the other drivers involved
- The license plate numbers of the vehicles involved
- Contact information from anyone who happened to witness the accident
- Insurance information from the other drivers who were involved in the accident
- Photographs of any dangerous conditions that may have contributed to the accident
In addition, accident victims should make note of any other details that they think may have played a role in causing the accident.
Seek medical attention – Of course, anyone seriously injured in an accident should seek emergency medical treatment immediately. In addition, even people who do not believe that they were seriously injured should nonetheless undergo a thorough medical evaluation. Some kinds of injuries, like whiplash, may not become symptomatic for days or even weeks after an accident occurs. Seeing a medical professional will ensure that your injuries are diagnosed and that a record connecting your injuries to your accident exists.
Retain legal counsel – Anyone injured in an accident should retain legal counsel as soon as possible. An attorney will thoroughly review the facts of your case and make sure that you receive the full and fair value of your claim, should you have one. Importantly, car accident claims are subject to Michigan’s statute of limitations,2 meaning there is a limited amount of time in which victims may file a claim. As a result, people involved in accidents should call a lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact a Michigan car accident attorney today to schedule a free case evaluation
Many people who are involved in car accidents are able to recover significant financial compensation. In many cases, people who retain legal counsel obtain significantly larger settlements or awards more quickly than care accident victims who choose to represent themselves. For this reason, it is highly recommended that anyone involved in an accident retain legal counsel as soon as possible. The auto accident lawyers of the Michigan Injury Lawyers work hard to protect the legal rights of people injured by the negligence of others. To schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys, please call our office today at (888) 454-0801.
References:
1 http://publications.michigantrafficcrashfacts.org/2014/First+Look_2014.pdf
2 http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28jkzfpqrcobcdxi1lrp2xgnyh%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-600-5805