Short answer: After a car accident in Michigan, stop and check for injuries, call 911, and move your car out of traffic if no one is seriously hurt and it still drives. Exchange names, addresses, license and registration information, photograph everything, and get medical care the same day. Then notify your own auto insurer, which pays your No-Fault benefits no matter who caused the crash, and get written notice of your claim to the insurer within one year. A lawsuit against the at-fault driver generally must be filed within three years.
Reviewed by Attorney Koro E. Khamo, Founder and Managing Attorney, Khamo Law, PLLC. Last updated October 2026.
Michigan State Police counted 288,880 crashes and 1,099 traffic deaths on Michigan roads in 2024, roughly one crash every two minutes. Most drivers have never been through one before. This checklist walks through what Michigan law requires, what protects your health and your benefits, and the mistakes that cost people money later.
Michigan Car Accident Checklist
| When | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| At the scene | Stop, check for injuries, call 911 | Michigan law requires drivers to stop and help get medical aid for anyone hurt |
| At the scene | Move the car off the road if no one is seriously hurt and it still drives | Required for minor crashes under MCL 257.618a |
| At the scene | Report the crash to police | Required when anyone is hurt or damage looks like $1,000 or more |
| At the scene | Exchange information and photograph everything | Proves what happened and who was involved |
| Same day | Get checked by a doctor | Some injuries show up hours or days later, and records link them to the crash |
| Within days | Notify your own auto insurer | Your policy pays your No-Fault benefits first, whoever caused the crash |
| Within days | Decline recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer | What you say can be used to reduce your claim |
| First weeks | Order the police report and keep records of every expense | Reports can take 3 to 30 days to post; records support each benefit |
| Within 1 year | Written notice of your No-Fault claim to the insurer | Missing it can forfeit medical and wage benefits |
| Within 3 years | File any lawsuit against the at-fault driver | The general deadline under MCL 600.5805 |
Step 1: Stop, Check for Injuries and Call 911
Every driver involved in a crash must stop. Under MCL 257.619, you must also give reasonable help getting medical aid to anyone who is hurt, including arranging transportation if needed. Turn on your hazard lights, check yourself and your passengers, and call 911 if anyone is injured or a vehicle is blocking traffic. Do not move someone with neck or back pain unless they are in immediate danger.
Step 2: Move Your Car Out of Traffic if You Can
Michigan’s “move it” law, MCL 257.618a, requires drivers in a crash with no serious injuries to move a drivable vehicle off the main part of the road, to the shoulder, an emergency lane or the median, when it is safe to do so. Before moving, take a few quick photos of where the cars ended up. If anyone may be seriously hurt, or the car cannot be driven safely, leave it where it is.
Step 3: Report the Crash to Police
Under MCL 257.622, you must immediately report a crash to the nearest police station or officer if it injures or kills anyone or damages property to an apparent total of $1,000 or more. With today’s repair costs, that covers most crashes. Local police usually handle city streets, county sheriffs cover many township roads, and Michigan State Police typically handle freeways. Write down the officer’s name and the report or incident number before you leave.
A police report matters even more if the other driver is uninsured or drives away. Many uninsured motorist policies require a prompt police report and quick written notice to the insurer, sometimes within days, so read your policy. Our hit-and-run accident lawyer page explains those situations.
Step 4: Exchange Information
Michigan law requires each driver to give their name and address, the vehicle’s registration number, the owner’s name and address, and to show their driver’s license. Insurance information is not on that statutory list, but you need it for your claim, so ask for it. Collect:
- The other driver’s name, address, phone number and driver’s license number
- The vehicle owner’s name if different from the driver, plus the license plate and vehicle make, model and color
- The insurance company and policy number (a photo of the insurance card works)
- Names and phone numbers of passengers and witnesses
- For a commercial vehicle, the company name and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number on the door
Step 5: Document the Scene
Photos taken in the first few minutes are often the strongest evidence in a case. Take wide shots and close-ups of all vehicles, skid marks, debris, traffic signals and signs, road conditions, weather and lighting, and any visible injuries. Note nearby businesses or homes with cameras, since that footage is often recorded over within days. If you or a witness has a dashcam, save the clip right away; our article on dashcam footage after a Michigan car accident explains why.
Step 6: Do Not Admit Fault
Be polite, but stick to the facts. Saying “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you” at the scene can be quoted later as an admission, even when the other driver caused the crash. Fault is decided from the evidence, not from what someone said while shaken up. Our page on what happens if the other driver says the accident was your fault covers this in more detail.
Step 7: Get Medical Care the Same Day
Adrenaline hides pain. Go to the emergency room or urgent care the same day, or see your doctor as soon as possible, and describe every symptom. Watch over the following days for:
- Headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears or trouble concentrating, which can signal a concussion
- Neck or back stiffness, or numbness and tingling in the arms or legs
- Abdominal pain or deep bruising, which can signal internal injury
- Trouble sleeping, anxiety or mood changes
A gap between the crash and your first treatment is one of the most common reasons insurers argue an injury was not caused by the accident. Keep every follow-up appointment.
Step 8: Notify Your Own Insurer and Start Your No-Fault Claim
Michigan is a No-Fault state. Your own auto policy, or the policy of a relative you live with, generally pays your personal injury protection (PIP) benefits first, whether or not you caused the crash. Report the accident to your insurer promptly and ask for a No-Fault application. If no policy applies to you, you can apply through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.
Under MCL 500.3145, written notice of the claim must reach the insurer within one year of the accident, and a lawsuit over unpaid benefits can recover only losses from the year before it was filed. PIP benefits can include:
- Medical care, up to the PIP medical limit on the policy
- Most of your lost wages for up to three years, up to a monthly cap (see wage loss benefits)
- Up to $20 a day for household help you can no longer do yourself (see replacement services)
- Mileage to and from medical appointments (see medical mileage)
- Attendant care after a serious injury
How much medical coverage you have depends on the option chosen on the policy. According to the State of Michigan, the choices are unlimited, up to $500,000, up to $250,000, up to $250,000 with exclusions, up to $50,000 for some people enrolled in Medicaid, or an opt-out for some people with Medicare Parts A and B. Check your declarations page now so there are no surprises. Our Michigan No-Fault insurance lawyer page explains the full rules.
Step 9: Be Careful With Insurance Adjusters
The other driver’s insurer may call within a day or two asking for a recorded statement or offering a quick settlement. You are not required to give them a recorded statement, and signing a release can end your right to future compensation before you know how badly you are hurt. Read why the insurance company wants a recorded statement before you talk to anyone. Your own insurer may also send you to an insurance medical examination; it helps to know what to expect.
Step 10: Get the Police Report
Michigan crash reports, known as UD-10 reports, can be purchased online through the state’s Traffic Crash Purchasing System. Reports can take 3 to 30 days to appear. You will need details such as the incident number, the crash date and a driver’s license number. Check the report for errors and contact the agency that wrote it if something is wrong. If you hire Khamo Law, we order the report for you.
Step 11: Keep Organized Records
- Medical bills, prescriptions and receipts for medical equipment
- Pay stubs and a letter from your employer showing missed work
- A mileage log for medical trips and a list of household help you needed
- Repair estimates, towing and rental car receipts
- Every letter and email from any insurance company
- A short daily journal of pain and the things you cannot do
Avoid posting about the crash or your injuries on social media. Insurers look, and a single photo can be taken out of context.
Who Pays for Your Car Damage in Michigan?
No-Fault PIP does not pay to fix your own car. That comes from your collision coverage, if you have it. If the other driver was more at fault, Michigan’s “mini-tort” rule lets you recover up to $3,000 from them for vehicle damage your insurance did not cover, such as your deductible (MCL 500.3135). It is a small property claim that drivers usually file on their own in small claims court. If you were hurt in the crash, your injury claim is separate and usually far more important than the repair bill.
When You Can Sue the Driver Who Caused the Crash
PIP never pays for pain and suffering. You can pursue that against the at-fault driver only if the crash caused death, permanent serious disfigurement or a serious impairment of body function, and only if you were not more than 50% at fault. The same claim can recover wage loss beyond what PIP pays and medical costs above your PIP limit. The general deadline is three years. See our guide to the Michigan statute of limitations for every deadline in one table, and our Michigan car accident lawyer page for how these claims work.
After a Minor Car Accident
Even a fender bender usually needs a police report, because the $1,000 damage threshold is easy to reach. Move the cars out of traffic, exchange information, take photos and notify your insurer. If you feel even mild soreness, get checked; neck and back injuries from low-speed crashes often get worse over the next few days.
After a Rear-End Crash
The driver who hits another car from behind is usually found at fault, but not always, so photos of brake lights, traffic and road conditions still matter. Whiplash and other neck injuries are common in rear-end crashes, and symptoms are often delayed. Our rear-end collision lawyer page has more.
If You Caused the Crash
Your own PIP benefits still pay your medical bills and lost wages, because No-Fault benefits do not depend on fault. Report the crash, notify your insurer, and do not discuss fault with the other driver’s insurer. Your liability coverage generally handles claims against you, and the other driver can sue you for pain and suffering only under the same serious injury threshold.
When to Call a Lawyer
Not every crash needs a lawyer. It is worth a free consultation if you were injured and treatment continues past a few weeks, if an insurer denies or delays benefits, if the other driver was uninsured or fled, if a commercial vehicle was involved, if someone died, or if you are being blamed for the crash. Khamo Law handles these cases on contingency, so there is no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.
Questions About What to Do After a Michigan Car Accident
Do I have to call the police after a car accident in Michigan?
Yes, if anyone is injured or killed or the property damage appears to total $1,000 or more. You must report it immediately to the nearest police station or officer.
How long do I have to report a car accident to my insurance company in Michigan?
Report it as soon as possible, since many policies require prompt notice. To protect No-Fault benefits, written notice must reach the insurer within one year of the accident.
Who pays my medical bills after a car accident in Michigan?
Your own auto insurer, or a household relative’s insurer, through PIP benefits, regardless of fault. If no policy applies, the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan may pay.
Should I go to the doctor if I feel fine?
Yes. Concussions and soft tissue injuries often show symptoms hours or days later, and early medical records connect your injuries to the crash.
Do I have to move my car after an accident in Michigan?
If no one is seriously hurt and the car can be driven safely, Michigan law requires you to move it off the main part of the road. Take quick photos first.
Can I sue the other driver after a car accident in Michigan?
For pain and suffering, only if your injuries meet the serious impairment threshold and you were not more than 50% at fault. Uncovered vehicle damage up to $3,000 is a separate small claims matter.
What should I not say after a car accident?
Avoid apologizing, guessing about speed or fault, or saying you are not hurt. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before getting advice.
Talk to a Michigan Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a crash anywhere in Michigan, Khamo Law can explain your options in a free consultation by phone, video or in person at our Troy office. Our attorneys and staff speak Arabic, Chaldean and English. Call (248) 466-0606 or contact us online.
General legal information only, not legal advice for your situation. Prior results are not a guarantee of future outcomes.