What To Do After a Car Accident in Warren, Michigan
The minutes after a collision can be confusing. Your vehicle may be blocking traffic, someone may be hurt, you may not know whether the car is safe to drive, and insurance questions start almost immediately. This guide walks Warren drivers through the important steps from the accident scene through the collision repair process.
Call The Collision Repair Shop Send Us Your Accident InformationThe First 10 Minutes Matter More Than the Repair Estimate
Before thinking about body shops or insurance estimates, make sure the immediate accident scene is handled safely.
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone appears injured, there is a dangerous roadway condition, a vehicle is disabled in traffic or emergency assistance is needed, contact 911.
Michigan State Police advises drivers to move a vehicle to the shoulder or another safer location when the vehicle can be moved safely. Turn on emergency flashers and avoid remaining in an active traffic lane when it is possible to clear the roadway.
Once immediate safety is addressed, begin documenting the scene and gathering information.
First Things to Do
Step-by-Step: What to Do After a Collision
You may not need every step in every crash, but this sequence can help you avoid forgetting important information while the event is still fresh.
Check for Injuries
Check yourself, passengers and others involved before focusing on vehicle damage.
Move to Safety
If the vehicle can be safely moved, clear active traffic and activate hazard lights.
Contact Police
Report qualifying crashes and request assistance when the scene, injuries or circumstances call for it.
Exchange Information
Gather driver, vehicle and insurance information from the other involved parties.
Take Photographs
Document vehicle damage and the scene when it can be done safely.
Decide Whether to Tow
Do not continue driving a vehicle that may have unsafe mechanical or structural damage.
Notify Insurance
If you are filing a claim, provide the insurer with the required accident and vehicle information.
Choose a Collision Shop
Decide where you want the vehicle inspected and repaired.
Save Your Records
Keep reports, photographs, estimates, claim information and repair paperwork together.
When Does a Michigan Car Crash Need to Be Reported?
Michigan State Police states that a driver involved in a crash that injures or kills a person, or causes apparent property damage totaling $1,000 or more, must immediately report the crash to the nearest or most convenient police officer or police station.
Injury, Death or $1,000+ Apparent Property Damage
If the crash meets Michigan's reporting requirements, it should be reported immediately.
Keep the Report Information
Save the reporting agency, report number and any information provided at the scene. Your insurer may ask for this later.
What Should You Photograph After a Warren Car Accident?
When it is safe to do so, photographs can preserve details that may be difficult to remember later.
Take several wide photographs from different angles rather than photographing only the damaged panel.
Photograph dents, cracks, broken lights, displaced bumpers, wheel damage and other visible impact areas.
When appropriate, document the damage visible on other vehicles involved.
Wider photographs may document lanes, intersections, traffic signals, debris and the general crash location.
What Information Should You Exchange With the Other Driver?
Driver & Vehicle Information
- Driver's name
- Contact information
- Vehicle make and model
- License plate
- Driver's license information when appropriate
- Vehicle owner information if different from driver
Insurance & Accident Information
- Insurance company
- Policy information
- Police report information
- Witness contact information when available
- Date and time
- Approximate accident location
What Should You Avoid Doing Immediately After a Crash?
Do Not Stand in Active Traffic
Vehicle damage can be replaced. Protect yourself and others from secondary collisions first.
Do Not Assume It Is Safe Because It Starts
A running vehicle can still have cooling, suspension, steering, tire or hidden structural damage.
Keep Your Documentation
Save photographs, estimates, police information, claim numbers and receipts related to the collision.
A Vehicle That Moves May Still Need to Be Towed
Warren drivers frequently look at the body damage, start the vehicle and assume everything underneath is fine.
That can be a mistake. A wheel strike may affect suspension. A front collision can damage the radiator or condenser. A rear impact can move the exhaust. A bumper may hide reinforcement or sensor damage.
When you are uncertain about the condition of the vehicle, towing it for inspection can be preferable to continuing to drive and risking additional damage.
Warning Signs Before Driving
What Happens When You Call the Insurance Company?
If you are filing an insurance claim, the carrier will generally collect information about the collision, damaged vehicle and people involved.
You may receive a claim number and be assigned a claims representative or adjuster. The carrier may request photographs, schedule an inspection or prepare an initial damage estimate.
Keep in mind that the first insurance estimate may be written while the vehicle remains assembled. Additional accident-related damage can become visible later during disassembly.
Save This Information
The Insurance Company May Recommend a Shop. The Repair Decision Is Still Important to You.
Michigan's collision-repair consumer guidance states that vehicle owners are entitled to choose where their vehicle will be repaired.
An insurance company may provide a list of repair facilities or recommend a shop in its program, but you can still decide which repair facility you are comfortable using.
If the insurance company has already inspected the vehicle, bring the existing estimate and claim information to the shop you choose.
Already Have an Insurance Estimate?
You do not necessarily need to restart the entire claim just because you choose a different collision repair facility.
Bring:
- Insurance estimate
- Claim number
- Adjuster information
- Accident photographs
- Police report information
The Damage You See at the Accident Scene May Not Be the Entire Repair
Exterior components can hide other damaged parts until the vehicle is disassembled.
Reinforcement & Absorbers
A bumper cover can flex back while reinforcement, absorber or mounting components remain damaged.
Sensors & Wiring
Parking sensors, radar units and wiring can be damaged without obvious exterior evidence.
Cooling & Suspension
Front and wheel impacts can affect mechanical systems that may not be visible in accident-scene photographs.
Brackets & Retainers
Cracked brackets can affect the way replacement exterior components fit.
Vehicle Geometry
Larger impacts can affect structural reference points even when the vehicle still looks reasonably straight.
Cameras & Sensors
Windshield damage can involve cameras, sensors and calibration considerations on modern vehicles.
What Should You Do During the Next 24 Hours?
Save Everything Together
Keep accident photos, police information, claim documents and contact information in one place.
Notice New Symptoms
Pay attention to leaks, warning lights, noise, steering changes or overheating.
Get the Damage Evaluated
Schedule the collision-damaged vehicle for an estimate or inspection.
Ask About Rental or Loaner Options
Confirm rental coverage or other transportation arrangements before repairs begin.
Warren Drivers Encounter Many Different Collision Situations
Warren combines major north-south roads, mile roads, residential areas, industrial traffic and busy commercial corridors.
Rear-end collisions can happen during stop-and-go traffic. Side impacts can occur at intersections. Parking-lot collisions can damage doors, bumpers and sensors. Michigan winter weather can create curb strikes and sliding impacts.
The important point is that every collision creates a different damage pattern. The next step should be based on what happened to your vehicle—not simply how large the dent looks.
Common Warren Driving Corridors
If your accident happened in Warren or you live or work in Warren and your vehicle was damaged elsewhere, our collision team can help you determine the next step.
Continue With the Information You Need Next
After the immediate accident scene is handled, these Warren guides explain the next decisions in more detail.
Common Questions After a Car Accident in Warren Michigan
Should I call 911 after a car accident in Warren?
When does a Michigan crash have to be reported?
Should I move my car after the accident?
What photos should I take?
Should I drive my vehicle if the bumper is damaged?
Can the car have hidden damage even if the accident was minor?
When should the vehicle be towed?
Do I have to use the body shop my insurance company recommends?
What if the insurance company already wrote an estimate?
Why can the insurance estimate change?
What is an insurance supplement?
Should I save my police report number?
Should I contact the collision shop before the insurance company?
What information should I bring to the repair shop?
What if warning lights appear after the accident?
What if my car begins overheating after a front collision?
How do I start my Warren collision repair?
Accident in Warren? Once Everyone Is Safe, We Can Help With the Vehicle.
If your vehicle needs towing, you already have an insurance estimate, or you simply want someone to look at the collision damage, contact The Collision Repair Shop and let us help you determine the next step.
Call (248) 545-4600 Start Your Warren Collision Estimate