Whenever someone suffers an injury in a car accident, getting medical attention is the top priority. If you are injured and have to take an ambulance to the emergency room, there is no need to wait for a police response or worry about legal ramifications. You always can contact the police as soon as possible afterward to report the accident, but a police officer might go to the hospital to compile an accident report.
The latest Traffic Crash Data report from the Michigan State Police shows fatal accidents are trending upward in the state and claimed 1,100 lives in 2022. Rising fatalities suggest injuries are on the rise, so it’s important to know what to do following an injury accident. Here are a few additional tips that can help.
File an Insurance Claim as Soon as Possible
You’ll need to file an insurance claim with your auto insurer that underwrote the policy of the vehicle in which you were traveling. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance and your health insurance should pay up to policy limits for the cost of your medical treatment.
If you are hospitalized, you should file your insurance claim when you can. The hospital records will show why you were incapable of filing a claim immediately after the accident.
Retain an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
Car accident injuries can be very costly, which makes it important to hold liable parties accountable for damages. PIP insurance only covers some of your potential damages when injured in a car accident, such as medical costs and a portion of your lost wages if you miss work.
An experienced car accident attorney in Michigan motorists retail can help file strongly supported insurance claims for additional damages, such as pain and suffering and property damages, and ensure any settlement offers are fair and paid in a timely manner. Your attorney also can help compile the evidence needed to support your claims.
Notify Your Insurer, Opposing Attorneys, and Bill Collectors
When you retain an attorney, phone calls from insurers, opposing attorneys, and any relevant debt collectors should stop. You can contact those parties, notify them that you retained an attorney, and give them your attorney’s contact information.
After you do that, all communications must flow through your attorney’s law office until the matter is resolved. Any related debt collections that might occur should cease until the matter is settled, and your attorney can pay any related bills before giving you any remaining settlement funds.
Document the Healing Process
You can help your insurance claims and any legal case by documenting how you feel and your healing process every day. Also, you can compile a journal that briefly details how you feel and how the injuries affect your activities for the day.
You also can take photos of any bruising, swelling, or other signs of injury from day to day. That evidence helps to show the extent of your injuries and the pain and suffering that they cause.
