NovaMedCar accident injury clinic Same-day visits(313) 319-4284
Guide

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.

  1. 1
    At 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.

  2. 2
    At 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.

  3. 3
    Within 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.

  4. 4
    Within 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.

  5. 5
    Ongoing

    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.

  6. 6
    Ongoing

    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.

Hurt? Get checked today

Hurt in a car accident? Tell us how to reach you. Our team calls back to set a time, and same-day visits are often available.

You were the

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Speak with our team today: (313) 319-4284

Delayed car accident symptoms

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.

Find our car accident clinic

Southfield, on Lahser Road

Address
27211 Lahser Rd, Suite 200
Southfield, MI 48034
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.
LAHSER RD NovaMed, Suite 200 27211 LAHSER RD
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