The moments after a car accident are often upsetting and disorienting, so you may not know what to do or who to call. To protect your chance of recovering damages, you must report the crash and start documenting the accident scene as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t let panic lead you to make bad choices. Instead, use this checklist to protect yourself and your legal interests. You can also seek help from the\u00a0auto accident attorneys<\/a>\u00a0at Christensen Law to protect your rights.<\/p>\n Immediately after an accident, your first priority must be your personal safety. If you can drive your car off the roadway, do so. Otherwise, get a safe distance away onto a shoulder or median. If the weather is bad, find a public place to get inside and out of the elements.<\/p>\n Mich. Comp. Laws \u00a7 257.618<\/a> requires motorists to report collisions when someone is injured or killed or when vehicle damage is $1,000 or more. If your car is impeding traffic or if someone has been injured, call 9-1-1 to get police and an emergency medical team headed your way as soon as possible.<\/p>\n If no one is injured and traffic is flowing freely, you may choose to call the non-emergency police number instead. Never assume the other driver will make the call for you<\/strong>. Contacting police helps you avoid accusations of fleeing the accident scene and lays groundwork for a future claim or lawsuit. Reports include information like:<\/p>\n These reports can provide key information that could help you prove your position if the other party in your insurance claim or lawsuit disputes your version of events.<\/p>\n While you are still on the scene, your next step should be to document as much as you can about the accident. That could include:<\/p>\n As you do this, minimize conversation with the other people involved in the accident. Just exchange essential information rather than discuss what happened and why. You may think you\u2019re just being polite or trying to get answers, but the other party could use what you say against you later.<\/p>\n If a paramedic recommends transporting you to the hospital after a wreck, don\u2019t refuse. No matter how small the crash, you should always see a doctor, just to make sure there are no hidden injuries or traumatic brain injuries<\/a>. Getting medical treatment promptly serves several key purposes:<\/p>\n Your health records will form the foundation of your personal injury claim, so establishing that causal link is critical. Furthermore, if you delay or avoid seeking care, insurance adjusters may try to use that as an excuse to deny or undervalue your claim. After a wreck, think long-term instead of short-term when it comes to your health and financial well-being.<\/p>\n Insurance companies impose deadlines for reporting accidents, which vary by policy \u2014 some as short as 30 days. A Michigan car accident lawyer can review your policy to ensure you meet all deadlines.<\/p>\n Generally, you have one year<\/strong> to file a No-Fault (first party) claim with your insurer, which provides benefits regardless of fault. You also have three years<\/strong> to pursue a third-party claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering. An attorney can help determine which claims you may be eligible to file.<\/p>\n While\u00a0reporting an accident<\/a>\u00a0to your insurer is important, you don\u2019t have to answer all their questions \u2014 and you shouldn\u2019t. Insurance adjusters often look for ways to minimize payouts. Be careful to avoid:<\/p>\n Instead, only provide basic information:<\/p>\n Whenever possible, let your Michigan personal injury lawyer<\/a> handle communications with the insurance company to protect your claim.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n PERSONAL INJURY DESERVES PERSONAL ATTENTION!<\/p>\n Call Us<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Ideally, you contact a car accident attorney right after the crash, and they notify the insurance company for you. That way, you don\u2019t have to talk to an adjuster. Going forward, a lawyer can handle all calls, emails, or other communication from the insurance company.<\/p>\n However, the insurance adjuster may contact you before you\u2019ve even had time to look for a lawyer. They might even offer you a settlement. Even if you don\u2019t have legal representation yet, you can politely tell the adjuster that you will be working with a lawyer and the adjuster can go through your attorney instead.<\/p>\n You will need to notify your insurance company of your intent to file a claim<\/a> within days of your accident. But this isn\u2019t something you should do on your own. Statements made to your auto insurance company in this initial claim can limit your benefits later on. Contact an auto accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Our team will help you file your claim correctly and on time.<\/p>\n Your insurance company could even act in bad faith or fail to prioritize your needs and concerns. Knowing your rights after a car collision can help you recognize signs that an insurer isn\u2019t handling your claim well. If you were hurt in an accident, you can:<\/p>\n You also have the right to pursue a lawsuit under certain circumstances. For instance, if you suffered serious injuries, you can pursue an injury lawsuit, according to\u00a0Mich. Comp. Laws \u00a7 500.3135<\/a>. Additionally, you can sue insurance companies that fail to honor your policy\u2019s terms.<\/p>\n A lawyer can help you navigate compensation options while protecting your rights in the process.<\/p>\n After a car crash, an insurance company may offer you money. Unfortunately, initial offers are usually too low for what you need or deserve. This is especially true if an adjuster offers you a settlement before you\u2019ve even had time to heal or consider your future.<\/p>\n Some insurers will make their settlements seem like limited-time-only offers. They might try to get you to agree to one over the phone without seeing it in writing. These tactics are designed to disguise the fact that an offer is too low or inadequate for your post-accident needs.<\/p>\n Despite what insurers say, you can negotiate a settlement offer\u2019s terms. You also have a right to consider it and have your legal team review it. Our personal injury attorneys may even have you wait until we have more information about your medical condition and losses. Rather than accepting the first offer, check that it considers your past and future. Once you agree to a settlement, you cannot request more compensation from the opposing party.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve suffered serious injuries in a Michigan car accident, the compensation you receive from your No-Fault insurance may not cover the costs of your injuries and related losses. Let a car accident lawyer from Christensen Law review your claim so you are not under-compensated. Your first consultation is free. Call us or\u00a0contact us online<\/a>\u00a0today.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nPrioritize Your Safety Following an Auto Accident<\/h2>\n
\nReport the Car Crash to the Proper Authorities<\/h2>\n
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Document the Car Accident Scene<\/h2>\n
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Seek Medical Treatment After the Crash<\/h2>\n
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Check Your Insurer\u2019s Requirements After an Accident<\/h2>\n
\nWhat You Do and Don\u2019t Have to Tell Them<\/h3>\n
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Refer Them to Your Car Collision Lawyer<\/h2>\n
\nProtect Your Rights as a Car Accident Victim<\/h2>\n
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Settlement Offers Are Negotiable<\/h3>\n
Christensen Law Will Stand Up for You After an Auto Accident<\/h2>\n
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