After a car accident in Michigan, check for injuries, call 911 if anyone is hurt, move to a safe location if possible, exchange driver and insurance information, take photos of the scene, get medical care, and notify your insurance company promptly.
The most important steps after a Michigan car accident happen right away. Use the checklist below to see what to do at the scene, what to handle within the first 24 hours, and what mistakes to avoid in the days that follow.
Download the Michigan Car Accident Checklist PDF
Save a printable copy of the key steps to take after a crash.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Michigan
Focus on safety, documentation, and avoiding mistakes that can hurt your insurance claim.
- Check for injuries and call 911.
If anyone is hurt or the crash is blocking traffic, call 911 right away. - Move to safety if possible.
If your vehicle can be moved safely, pull out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights. - Stay at the scene.
Do not leave before exchanging information or speaking with police if they respond. - Exchange driver and insurance information.
Get the other driver’s name, phone number, license plate number, and insurance details. - Take photos and gather witness information.
Photograph the vehicles, damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries, and get witness names if possible. - Report the crash to police when required.
Michigan law requires reporting crashes involving injury, death, or significant property damage. - Do not admit fault or speculate.
Stick to the basic facts and avoid saying anything that could be interpreted as accepting blame.
What to Do Within 24 Hours After a Michigan Car Accident
Focus on medical care, symptom documentation, insurance notice, and protecting your claim.
- Get medical care even if you feel okay.
Some injuries, including concussions, whiplash, and internal injuries, may not show symptoms right away. - Tell the doctor about every symptom.
Mention pain, headaches, dizziness, stiffness, numbness, or anything else that started after the crash. - Notify your insurance company and open a claim.
Report the accident promptly so your insurer can begin processing your Michigan No-Fault benefits. - Start saving records and receipts.
Keep medical paperwork, prescriptions, repair estimates, towing bills, and other crash-related documents in one place. - Be careful with insurance adjusters and recorded statements.
Do not give a detailed recorded statement before you understand your injuries and your rights.
What to Do in the Days After a Michigan Car Accident
Over the next few days, focus on medical follow-up, insurance documentation, and keeping organized records.
- Get a copy of the police report.
Review the police report for accuracy and keep a copy for your insurance claim and records. - Follow up on medical treatment.
Attend follow-up appointments and report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor. - Keep track of missed work and expenses.
Save wage-loss information, medical bills, prescriptions, mileage, and other crash-related costs. - Organize your crash-related records.
Keep your police report, medical records, receipts, and insurance communications in one place. - Be cautious about early settlement offers.
Do not accept a quick settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries or losses.
What Not to Do After a Car Accident in Michigan
The wrong move after a crash can create insurance problems and weaken your claim. Avoid these common mistakes.
- Do not admit fault.
Even a simple apology can be used later as evidence that you caused the crash. - Do not give a recorded statement too soon.
Insurance companies may use early recorded statements to minimize your injuries or dispute your claim. - Do not skip medical care.
Delayed treatment can make it harder to connect your injuries to the crash. - Do not ignore symptoms that appear later.
Concussions, whiplash, and other injuries may not become obvious right away. - Do not throw away receipts or records.
Medical bills, repair estimates, prescriptions, and mileage logs may all matter later. - Do not assume the insurance company handled everything correctly.
A claim number does not always mean your paperwork was completed or your benefits are protected.
What Michigan No-Fault Means After a Crash
Michigan is a No-Fault state, which means your own auto insurance usually pays Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, benefits after a crash, regardless of who caused it. These benefits can include medical expenses and wage loss, subject to the coverage you selected on the policy.
But No-Fault does not mean every claim stops with your own insurance company. If your injuries are serious enough, Michigan law may still allow you to pursue pain and suffering compensation from the at-fault driver. As part of the legal process after an accident, you may also need to file a No-Fault application to protect your benefits, so it is important not to ignore insurance paperwork after a crash.
Important Michigan Deadlines to Know After a Car Accident
Most of the steps after a crash happen right away, but a few Michigan deadlines matter later too. Missing them can cost you important benefits or legal rights.
- 1 year to file your No-Fault application.
If you do not file on time, you may lose the right to recover medical expenses, wage loss, and other No-Fault benefits. - 3 years to file most injury lawsuits.
If you do not sue before the statute of limitations expires, you may lose the right to pursue pain and suffering damages. - Shorter deadlines may apply in some cases.
Claims involving government vehicles, road defects, or certain insurance coverages can have shorter notice requirements.
What to Do After a Minor Car Accident in Michigan
Even after a minor car accident in Michigan, you should still take the right steps. Move your vehicle to a safe location if possible, check for injuries, exchange contact and insurance information, and take photos of the vehicles and scene. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information before anyone leaves.
You should also notify your insurance company promptly and watch for symptoms that appear later, such as pain, stiffness, headaches, or dizziness. Even a low-speed crash can lead to hidden injuries, unexpected vehicle damage, or insurance disputes, so it is important to keep records and take the accident seriously from the start.
Talk to a Michigan Auto Accident Attorney As Soon As Possible
Do not wait to talk to an attorney if you were injured in a Michigan car accident. A case can go off track quickly when evidence is lost, deadlines are missed, or the insurance company starts shaping the story before you understand your rights. If your injuries are serious, fault is being disputed, or No-Fault benefits are delayed, early legal help matters.
The Clark Law Office works with Michigan car accident victims to protect their legal rights, deal with insurance companies, and pursue full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Learn how a Michigan auto accident attorney can help you take the right steps and protect your claim. Contact us today to understand your options.
Download the Michigan Car Accident Checklist PDF
Save a printable copy of the key steps to take after a crash.
FAQs About What To Do After a Car Accident in Michigan
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Michigan?
Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move vehicles out of traffic if it is safe to do so, report the crash when required, exchange driver and insurance information, take photos of the scene, and avoid admitting fault or guessing about what happened.
Do I have to call the police after a car accident in Michigan?
You should call the police if the crash involves injuries, death, or significant vehicle damage. Even when police response is not strictly required, having an official report can help with insurance claims and later disputes about fault or what happened at the scene.
How soon should I see a doctor after a car accident?
You should get medical care as soon as possible, ideally within the first 24 hours. Some injuries, including concussions, soft tissue injuries, and internal injuries, may not be obvious right away. Prompt treatment also helps connect your injuries to the crash in your medical records.
When do I need to notify my insurance company after a Michigan crash?
You should notify your insurance company promptly after the accident. Early notice helps open your claim, protect your No-Fault benefits, and reduce the chance of coverage disputes. Give basic facts about the crash, but be cautious about detailed or recorded statements before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
How long do I have to file a No-Fault claim in Michigan?
In most cases, you must file your No-Fault application within 1 year of the accident. Missing that deadline can cause you to lose your right to recover medical expenses, wage loss, and other Personal Injury Protection benefits under Michigan law.
How long do I have to sue after a car accident in Michigan?
In most cases, you have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering or other third-party damages. Shorter notice deadlines may apply if a government vehicle, road defect, or public agency is involved.
Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?
Be careful. Insurance companies may ask for a recorded statement early, before the full extent of your injuries is clear. Giving a statement too soon can hurt your claim if your condition worsens later or if fault is disputed. It is usually smart to understand your rights before agreeing to a recorded interview.
Can I sue the other driver if Michigan is a No-Fault state?
Yes, in some situations. Michigan’s No-Fault system means your own insurance usually pays medical expenses and wage loss first, but you may still be able to sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering or excess damages if your injuries meet Michigan’s serious impairment threshold.
Attorney Review
Legally reviewed by
Matthew R. Clark focuses exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Mid-Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University College of Law and trained at The Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute. His practice includes serious car accident, no-fault insurance, and catastrophic injury claims, and he has recovered millions for injured clients while providing direct attorney-level representation from start to finish.