What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Grand Rapids

Being in a car accident is one of the most stressful
experiences you can go through. In the chaos of the
moment, it’s easy to make mistakes that can hurt your
health and your legal case later. Here’s exactly what
to do in the first 24 hours.

Step 1 — Check for Injuries First

Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers
for injuries. Do not move anyone who may have a neck or
spine injury. Call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt.

Even if you feel fine, many accident injuries — like
whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries — don’t
show symptoms right away. You may feel the effects
hours or days later.

Step 2 — Call the Police

Always file a police report, even for minor accidents.
The police report is a critical document for your
insurance claim and any legal case. Never agree to
handle the accident privately without documentation.

Step 3 — Document Everything at the Scene

Use your phone to photograph:

• All vehicles involved
• License plates
• The accident scene and road conditions
• Any visible injuries
• Insurance and driver’s license information from
  all drivers

Get contact information from any witnesses — their
statements can be invaluable later.

Step 4 — Seek Medical Attention Immediately

This is the most important step most accident victims
skip. Even if you feel okay, see a doctor within 24
hours of your accident.

Insurance companies use gaps in medical treatment to
deny or reduce claims. Getting evaluated immediately
creates a medical record that connects your injuries
directly to the accident.

In Grand Rapids, there are chiropractors, orthopedic
doctors, and neurologists who specialize specifically
in accident injuries and understand how to document
them properly for insurance and legal purposes.

Step 5 — Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

Before you speak to the other driver’s insurance
company — contact a lawyer. Insurance adjusters are
trained to minimize payouts. A personal injury attorney
will protect your rights and handle all communication
on your behalf.

Many Grand Rapids personal injury lawyers offer free
consultations and work on contingency — meaning you
pay nothing unless you win.

Step 6 — Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your own insurance company
promptly. Be factual and brief — do not speculate
about fault or describe your injuries in detail until
you’ve spoken with a lawyer.

The Bottom Line

The steps you take in the first 24 hours after a car
accident significantly impact your health outcomes and
your ability to recover fair compensation. Don’t wait.