February 25, 2021
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Michigan in 2021?
Did you know that 20 to 50 million people globally sustain auto-related accidents every year? Accidents are inevitable and can happen to anyone. But thanks to auto accident injury lawyers, accident victims don’t have to suffer in silence anymore. If you have been involved in any car accident, an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer can walk you through the process and help you get the justice you need. So don’t lose hope in your case. The situation can be devastating, but you can get compensated for the time and wages lost. Here is a guide on what you should do after a car accident.
Get Medical Treatment
Visit the hospital immediately for a checkup if you have been injured; even when you don’t have any physical wounds. You may have sustained internal injuries which might cause future health issues. At the hospital, tell the doctor everything that happened, including the body parts with the most pain. Also, remember to keep a record of your conversations with the doctor and the receipts you use to make the medical payments. With the help of a reputable auto accident lawyer, you can use the hospital documents as evidence for your auto accident case.
Take Photos or Videos
Collect evidence. You can do so by recording photos or videos at the accident scene. Assuming that you sustained severe injuries and you are admitted, you can ask a friend or relative to help you take the photos on your behalf. Some of the things that you should focus on in the recording include the number plates of cars involved at the scene, visible damages on your vehicle, bloodstains, and so on. Your auto accident lawyer can also help in gathering the right evidence to support your case.
Get the Contacts of Witnesses
Don’t ignore the other accident victims or the people around the accident scene. They are your witnesses, and they can help you in court in case things go south. If possible, you should write their names and numbers so that you can call them later. Be warned that false witnesses can land you in huge troubles. Just make sure that your witnesses speak the truth and that they are reliable.
Report the Incident
You should report the incident as soon as possible. If the police have not yet visited the scene, you can call them or go to the station. Prompt reporting allows the police to inspect the accident scene and write the correct records. Besides the police, you can report the accident to your Michigan no-fault insurance agent. Many insurers require the insured to initiate claims within 48 hours. After reporting, the agent should confirm the accident’s date and time and ask other accident-related questions. The insurer records all the conversations, and so, it’s advisable to speak the truth.
Don’t Admit Fault
Never admit fault for an auto accident even when you think that you are responsible for the accident. You should wait for the police to investigate the case to determine the party at fault. You might have caused the road accident unintentionally, and the investigations may find out the other driver/party was not adhering to the road rules by the time of the accident. In that case, it can be challenging for you to file a claim against the other party if you had already admitted fault. So, don’t admit fault, and also, watch what you say at the scene as it may be used against you in the future.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney
As mentioned earlier, you need a Car accident lawyer to help you with the acclaims application process. If you have managed to gather evidence alone, you should call the attorney as soon as possible to advise on the way forward. And if you don’t have a lawyer, you should find a reputable one from the available sources. The best lawyer should help you in the legal process and give you emotional support during that trying moment. In the long run, the attorney should save you money and time you would have spent handling the case alone.
The process of dealing with an auto accident may not be easy, but you can navigate throughout successfully. You only need to follow the six things mentioned above, emphasizing the auto accident injury lawyer. Here at Elia & Ponto, we are standing by to help you.
