What to do after a car accident in Michigan
A short checklist for the scene, the next few days and the weeks after. It is general information, not legal advice.
- 1At the scene
Get safe and call 911 if anyone is hurt
Move out of traffic if you can. Michigan law requires you to stop, help anyone injured and exchange information.
- 2At the scene
Collect what you can
Names, phone numbers, insurance and plate numbers of the other drivers; photos of the cars, the road and your injuries; names of witnesses; the police report number.
- 3Within 72 hours
Get examined, even if you feel fine
Pain from neck and back injuries often starts a day or two later. An early exam finds problems sooner and records them from the start.
- 4Within days
Tell your auto insurer
Report the crash and start a PIP claim with your own auto insurer. Michigan generally requires written notice of injury within one year.
- 5Ongoing
Follow your treatment plan
Go to follow-ups, do the home exercises and tell your clinician what has changed. Gaps in care make recovery slower.
- 6Ongoing
Keep your paperwork together
Claim numbers, receipts, mileage to appointments and missed work. If you have questions about a legal claim, talk with an attorney.
Feeling fine after a car accident can change by tomorrow
Adrenaline hides pain. These are common after a crash and often show up hours or days later. Any of them is a reason to get checked.
- 0-24 HNeck stiffness or pain turning your head
- 0-72 HHeadaches that start at the base of the skull
- 24-72 HLow back pain or spasms
- 24-72 HTingling or numbness in arms, hands or legs
- DAYSShoulder pain or trouble lifting your arm
- DAYSDizziness, poor sleep, trouble concentrating
- DAYSBruising or soreness from the seat belt
- WEEKSAnxiety driving or riding in a car again
Severe headache, confusion, vomiting, weakness or loss of feeling can be serious. Call 911 or go to an emergency room.
Southfield, on Lahser Road
- Address
- 27211 Lahser Rd, Suite 200
Southfield, MI 48034 - Phone
- (313) 319-4284
- Visits
- Same-day appointments and walk-ins. Call ahead and we'll have your paperwork ready.
- Serving
- Southfield, Detroit, Oak Park, Royal Oak, Farmington Hills, Dearborn, Livonia, Novi, Troy, Warren and the rest of Metro Detroit.