A crash takes seconds. The decisions you make in the next 24 hours can affect your health, your insurance claim, and your case for the next two years. Michigan’s no-fault system also adds a layer most other states do not have, which trips people up. Here is the order to do things in.

Step 1: Check for injuries, then call 911

Check yourself first. Then your passengers. Then the other driver if it is safe. Call 911 even if everything looks minor. A police report is one of the most important pieces of paper in your case if there is a dispute later. Michigan also requires you to report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000.

Do not move someone who is hurt unless the car is on fire or in traffic. Wait for paramedics.

Step 2: Document the scene before anything moves

If it is safe to walk around, take photos. A lot of photos:

  • Every angle of every vehicle, including damage, plates, and where each car ended up
  • Skid marks, debris, traffic signals, weather conditions, and the road surface
  • Names, phone numbers, and insurance info from every driver
  • Witness names and numbers (these are gold in disputed cases)
  • Time, date, and the exact location

Your phone is the most useful tool you have. Take more photos than you think you need.

Step 3: See a doctor that day

Even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain, and many crash injuries do not show up for hours or days. Whiplash, concussion, and internal bleeding are common examples.

Do not skip this step. A gap between the crash and your first medical visit is the single most common reason injury claims get lowballed. The insurance adjuster will argue that if you waited three days to see anyone, you were not really hurt.

Step 4: Call your insurance company, carefully

Most policies require you to report the accident promptly. Under Michigan’s no-fault law, your own insurer pays your medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. That is your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.

What to say: stick to facts. Where, when, what happened. What not to say: anything about fault, anything that minimizes your injuries, anything in a recorded statement. If they ask for a recorded statement, tell them you will get back to them and call a lawyer first.

How Michigan’s no-fault system actually works

Michigan is a no-fault state, which means your own insurance company pays your medical bills and lost wages even if the other driver caused the crash. The system has three parts:

  • PIP benefits. Your insurer pays your medical and a portion of lost wages.
  • Property Protection Insurance (PPI). Covers damage your car does to other people’s property. It does not cover damage to your own car, which is what collision coverage is for.
  • Residual liability. You can sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only if your injuries meet Michigan’s “threshold” of serious, permanent, or fatal injury.

The 2019 reform also created tiers of PIP coverage. Your benefits depend on which tier you picked. Pull your policy and check.

Step 5: Keep a paper trail

Start a folder, digital or physical, with:

  • Police report number, then the report itself when it is available
  • Every medical bill, prescription receipt, and visit summary
  • Every email, letter, and message from any insurance company
  • Pay stubs and a record of missed work
  • A short journal of how you are feeling each day, what hurts, and what you cannot do

When to actually call a lawyer

You probably want a personal injury attorney if any of these apply:

  • You were injured, even if it seemed minor at first
  • Your PIP claim is being delayed or denied
  • The other driver was uninsured or underinsured
  • Your injuries required surgery, hospitalization, or are likely to be permanent
  • An adjuster is pushing you to settle quickly

Represented claimants generally recover more than unrepresented ones, and personal injury cases run on contingency. The lawyer is not paid unless you recover.

Michigan gives you 3 years to file a personal injury lawsuit and 1 year to file a PIP claim with your own insurer. Both clocks start the day of the crash.

FAQ

Do I really need a lawyer for a car accident?

If you were not injured and the other driver’s insurance is paying out without a fight, probably not. If you were hurt, your claim is being disputed, or anything about Michigan’s no-fault system is confusing, yes. Contact us and we can usually give you a clear read on whether your case needs an attorney within a short call.

How long do I have to file?

3 years for a personal injury lawsuit. 1 year for PIP benefits. Do not wait until month 11 to make the call.

What if the other driver was uninsured?

Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply, and your PIP still covers your medical bills regardless. An attorney can help find every source of recovery, which sometimes includes places you would not think of, such as employer policies or umbrella coverage.