Involved in a Car Accident in Michigan? 7 Steps to Take With an Auto Accident Attorney in Southfield, MI
Getting hurt on the road can feel overwhelming, and knowing what to do in the minutes and days after a crash may protect your health, your rights, and your ability to recover fair compensation. This guide outlines seven steps every Michigan driver should take after a collision, including what you need to know about working with an auto accident attorney in Southfield, MI, to navigate the state's complex no-fault insurance rules.
Step 1: Move to Safety and Check for Injuries
Your immediate safety comes first. If vehicles are drivable, move them out of active traffic lanes. Turn on hazard lights, set up flares or warning triangles if available, and stay out of the roadway.
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries before anything else. Some injuries, such as whiplash or internal trauma, may not produce obvious pain right away due to adrenaline. Never assume everyone is fine just because no one is visibly bleeding.
Step 2: Call 911 and Report the Accident
Michigan law requires that a crash be reported immediately if it involves death, injury, or property damage of $1,000 or more. Given that even a minor fender-bender in Southfield, MI, can easily exceed that threshold, calling 911 is almost always the right move.
A police report provides an independent record that may prove valuable if your claim is disputed. If you cannot report at the scene, file a report within 24 hours of the accident.
Step 3: Exchange Information and Document the Scene
Exchange contact and insurance information with all other drivers. Collect each party's full name and phone number, driver's license number and state of issue, vehicle make, model, year, and license plate, and insurance company name and policy number.
Then document the scene with your smartphone. Photograph all vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and visible injuries. Capture wide shots and close-ups. If witnesses are present, get their names and contact information before they leave.
Step 4: Seek Medical Attention Promptly
See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Injuries common in rear-end and intersection crashes, such as traumatic brain injuries or soft tissue damage, can develop symptoms over hours or days. Prompt care creates an official record linking your injuries to the accident.
Oakland County and the greater Southfield area offer numerous urgent care centers and emergency rooms for quick evaluation. A gap in medical care can be used against you during an insurance claim or lawsuit. An auto accident attorney in Southfield, MI, can advise you on how a delay in treatment may affect your claim before you speak with any insurer.
Step 5: Report the Crash to Your Insurance Company
Notify your auto insurance company as soon as reasonably possible. Michigan is a no-fault state, meaning your own insurer pays your medical bills, wage loss, and related expenses through personal injury protection (PIP), regardless of who caused the crash. You do not have to sue the at-fault driver to access these benefits.
Be factual when speaking with your insurer. Do not admit fault, speculate about injuries, or give a recorded statement without first consulting an auto accident attorney in Southfield, MI. Gordon & Pont PC has been serving Michigan accident victims since 1958 and can help you navigate these conversations carefully.
Step 6: Understand Michigan No-Fault Deadlines
Michigan's no-fault system carries strict time limits. You must file an application for PIP benefits with the applicable auto insurance company within one year of the date of your accident.
For third-party lawsuits against an at-fault driver, the statute of limitations is generally three years from the date of the accident under MCL 600.5805(2). Missing either deadline can permanently bar your recovery. An auto accident attorney in Southfield, MI, can track these deadlines on your behalf and ensure no filing window is missed.
What Is Michigan's Serious Impairment Threshold?
To pursue a pain and suffering lawsuit against an at-fault driver, your injuries must result in death, permanent serious disfigurement, or a serious impairment of body function, meaning an injury that significantly affects your ability to lead a normal life, such as a traumatic brain injury, broken bones, or spinal cord damage. The injury does not have to be permanent, but it must be more than a minor inconvenience.
Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Michigan Car Accident?
Your own insurance company covers medical bills up to your PIP policy limit, regardless of fault. If your PIP coverage is exhausted or your injuries meet the serious impairment threshold, a third-party claim against the at-fault driver may be an option worth exploring with a car accident attorney in Southfield, MI.
Step 7: Consult a Michigan Auto Accident Attorney
Legal guidance can significantly affect the outcome of your claim. An auto accident attorney in Southfield, MI, can help you apply for PIP benefits correctly, meet critical deadlines, gather evidence, and evaluate whether you qualify for a third-party lawsuit for pain and suffering. If your crash involved a motorcycle or a commercial truck, the firm also handles semi-truck accident claims, which often involve additional layers of liability.
Drivers in Southfield, MI, and throughout Oakland County deal with high-traffic corridors including Northwestern Highway, Telegraph Road, and I-696, all of which see significant collision volume each year. Local representation means working with someone who understands the courts, the insurers, and the realities of accident claims in this area. Contact the firm today to speak with a member of the team about your situation.
Ready to Discuss Your Michigan Car Accident Claim?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, taking the right steps early can make a meaningful difference. The firm offers a free consultation with no fee unless you win. Call (248) 395-4100 or toll-free at 1-800-LAW-MICH to get started.
