If you’ve been involved in a car crash, the things you do in the early days can make all the difference in getting the compensation you deserve for medical bills and other expenses or damages. That includes what you do immediately after the crash.
If you weren’t too injured to get photos or videos of the damage to your vehicle and any others involved in the crash (or one of your passengers was able to), those are important evidence. It’s also crucial to have the name and insurance information of the other driver(s).
It’s always better if police are called to the scene and there’s a police report. Police can get photos and other information and evidence you might not have been able to get. If there’s a police report, you’ll want to get a copy of that.
Get a medical evaluation
If you weren’t injured seriously enough to be taken to the hospital or you declined medical attention at the scene, it’s important to go to a medical facility or your personal doctor as soon as possible. Even if you don’t believe you have any serious injuries, you may have internal injuries or even a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that need to be diagnosed right away to prevent serious consequences.
Further, getting a medical evaluation as soon after the crash as possible will give you evidence that any injuries you have are a direct result of the collision. It helps prevent the other side from claiming those were pre-existing injuries.
Start a claim with your insurer
It’s important to notify your auto insurer as soon as possible to get the claims process started. They’ll ask you for any information they need, so be ready to provide them with everything you have.
Report the accident if there’s no police report
If police didn’t come to the scene and prepare a report, it’s important to know when Michigan law requires a driver to report it. The law states, “The driver of a motor vehicle involved in an accident that injures or kills any person, or that damages property to an apparent extent totaling $1,000.00 or more, shall immediately report that accident” to police.
Don’t talk to any other parties
What you say to other drivers at the scene or any time later can affect your case. Too often, people are quick to apologize even if it wasn’t completely their fault or to even admit to doing something like looking at their phone or going too fast, which can lead to being held responsible for the crash when the other driver may have done something much worse.
It’s smart not to talk to any other drivers or their insurers on your own. That’s one reason it’s wise to get legal guidance as soon as possible. This can help you protect your rights and your claim for compensation.
