What To Do After A Semi Truck Accident In Michigan: 13 Steps To Take

We’ve broken down the most important actions to take after a crash. Below, you’ll find a concise guide to the time-sensitive steps.

For help from one of our attorneys now, call us at (800) 968-1001, or fill out our contact form for a free consultation. We can answer all of your questions, and the advice is free.

1. Prioritize safety
2. Call 911 immediately
3. Seek prompt medical attention
4. Document the crash and report all injuries.
5. Gather evidence at the scene
6. Refrain from discussing who is at fault
7. Consult our Michigan semi truck accident lawyers quickly.
8. Notify your auto insurance company
9. File an application for No-Fault benefits.
10. Check insurance policy for notification requirements.
11. Check insurance policy for uncoordinated benefits.
12. Be careful of what you say or sign.
13. Liability laws differ

Prioritize safety

Prioritizing safety after a semi truck accident in Michigan is critical to protect yourself and others from further harm. Big rig crashes often occur on busy roads or highways, where the risk of secondary collisions is high. Moving to a safe location—if you’re able—helps reduce the chance of being struck by oncoming traffic. Turning on your hazard lights can alert other drivers and emergency responders to the scene, making it easier for help to arrive safely. In the immediate aftermath of a crash, staying calm and focused on safety not only protects your physical well-being but also ensures that you are in a better position to take the next steps, such as calling 911, gathering evidence, and seeking medical care.

Call 911 immediately

Calling 911 immediately after a semi truck accident in Michigan is essential for both your safety and the success of any potential legal or insurance claim. Tractor trailer crashes often involve serious injuries and significant vehicle damage, so having emergency responders on the scene as quickly as possible ensures that anyone hurt receives prompt medical attention. Additionally, when law enforcement arrives, they will investigate the crash, speak with witnesses, and file an official police report. This report serves as a key piece of evidence when determining fault and liability. Delaying the 911 call can not only put your health at greater risk, but it may also weaken your ability to prove what happened and pursue compensation later on.

Seek prompt medical attention 

Seeking prompt medical attention after a semi truck accident in Michigan is crucial, even if you don’t feel seriously injured at the time. The force of a collision with a large commercial vehicle can cause hidden or delayed injuries—such as internal bleeding, concussions, or soft tissue damage—that may not show symptoms right away. Getting evaluated by a medical professional helps ensure that any injuries are properly diagnosed and treated early, which can prevent complications later. In addition, timely medical care creates a clear record linking your injuries to the crash, which is essential if you decide to pursue an insurance claim or legal action for compensation. Delaying treatment can not only impact your health but may also give insurance companies a reason to question the severity or cause of your injuries.

Gather evidence at the scene

After a semi truck accident in Michigan, Gathering evidence is a critical step in protecting your legal rights. The moments immediately following a crash are often the only opportunity to capture key details before vehicles are moved, debris is cleared, or memories fade. Taking photos or videos of the crash scene—including vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signs, and weather—can help establish how the crash happened. Collecting contact information from witnesses and all parties involved can also be vital for future investigations. Because commercial vehicle crashes can involve multiple liable parties, such as the driver, transportation company, or maintenance provider, having strong on-the-scene evidence can make a significant difference when proving fault and building a strong case for compensation.

Refrain from discussing who is at fault

It’s important not to discuss who is at fault after a semi truck accident in Michigan because doing so can seriously harm your ability to recover compensation, even if you were not actually responsible for the crash. The aftermath of a tractor trailer crash can be chaotic and emotionally charged, and you may not have all the facts about what caused the collision. Discussing fault—whether to the other driver, witnesses, or insurance companies—can be used against you later, even if a full investigation reveals that the commercial vehicle driver, transportation company, or another party was to blame. Instead, stick to the facts when speaking with law enforcement and avoid making statements that suggest responsibility. Let the police and our trusted and experienced attorneys handle the investigation and determine who was truly at fault.

Document the crash and report all injuries

After a semi truck accident in Michigan, it’s crucial to obtain contact information for any passengers and witnesses involved in the crash. If your injuries make it difficult to identify circumstances that may have contributed to the crash, friends or family should aid the injured victim at the scene. This information will be extremely important if it becomes necessary to hire one of our trusted and experienced lawyers, because all too often, the commercial vehicle driver who caused the crash will change their story along the way. Furthermore, if witness information is not preserved at the scene, or if it’s missing from the police investigation, it becomes much more difficult for an attorney to prove negligence.

Consult our Michigan semi truck accident lawyers quickly

Consulting our trusted and experienced Michigan semi truck accident lawyers after a crash is essential due to the complexity and high stakes involved in these types of cases. Unlike typical car crashes, big rig crashes often involve multiple parties—such as the commercial vehicle driver, the transportation company, cargo loaders, and insurance providers—each with their own legal teams working to limit liability. Our attorneys understand our state’s No-Fault laws, federal regulations, and the tactics used by insurance companies to minimize payouts. We can conduct a thorough investigation, preserve critical evidence, determine liability, and help you pursue full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Having legal representation ensures your rights are protected and greatly increases your chances of achieving a favorable outcome.

Notify auto insurance company

In Michigan after a semi truck accident contact your auto insurance company as they must be notified after a crash because according to state law, there’s a strict one-year time limit to notify your own (first-party) auto insurance company of the crash, in order to receive your No-Fault insurance benefits. There is a three-year time limit to file a pain and suffering lawsuit against the negligent driver’s (third-party) insurance company.

File an application for No-Fault benefits after a semi truck accident in Michigan

Filing an application for benefits form with your insurance company after a crash is essential for protecting your No-Fault rights, even if your injuries from the crash do not seem severe. The form is required to receive five important benefits: medical expenses, wage loss, replacement services (help around the house), mileage to medical appointments and attendant care (nursing services). Use the form available through your auto insurance company. Please be as accurate and complete as possible, and include all of your injuries and impairments.

Check your auto insurance policy for very specific notification requirements

In addition to the above legislative deadlines, many auto insurance policies pose even more strict notification requirements, such as 30 days notice for hit-and-run crashes. Unlike statutes, insurance carriers can change their policy filing requirements at any time. Many contracts have separate provisions for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage requiring very prompt notice of a crash. So if tractor trailer crash victims fail to adhere on time, they can lose this important coverage. For this reason, it’s critical to carefully review your entire auto insurance policy after a crash with one of our experienced and trusted lawyers who are very familiar with our state’s No-Fault insurance law.

Check your auto insurance policy for uncoordinated benefits

It’s important to review your auto No-Fault insurance policy and any additional contractual coverage you might have. There can be some common pitfalls and loopholes posed by some typical auto insurance policies. For example, some people have lost tens of thousands of dollars because they did not understand the interplay between health insurance plans, managed care plans and ERISA plans, as well as coordinated (excess) and uncoordinated (primary) policies. Most policies are coordinated, meaning that if you have existing health insurance in the event of a Michigan semi truck accident, your health insurance pays first and your auto insurance pays the remaining balance. With uncoordinated coverage, big rig crash victims may be entitled to receive a “double dip recovery” under the policy. This may seem confusing, but our attorneys can take a quick look at your policies and tell you how to protect yourself and who will pay for your No-Fault benefits after a tractor trailer crash.

Be careful of what you say or sign

After a semi truck accident in Michigan be careful of what you say to an auto insurance claims adjuster and never sign a release or allow the adjuster to look at your vehicle damage. Too many people rush into signing adjusters’ documents without having the language reviewed by a lawyer. Therefore, they may lose their right to sue the negligent commercial vehicle driver and the transportation company for crash-related injuries. Keep in mind, claims adjusters often try to get recorded statements early, aiming to minimize the crash victim’s pain and injuries for later use in court. Even limited property damage releases can contain unrelated language releasing all personal injuries suffered from a car crash. Always speak with our trusted and experienced attorneys first.

Liability laws

Our liability laws are different from all other states. Damages recoverable from an injury after a crash will include first-party claims (victim’s insurance), such as medical bills, wage loss, replacement services, attendant care and medical mileage. Third-party auto negligence tort claims (negligent driver’s insurance) involve personal injury and excess economic loss. All auto insurance policies sold in our state include some limited coverage for vehicle damage, property damage and pain and suffering compensation for physical and emotional injuries.

Why choose a Michigan Auto Law semi truck accident lawyer?

At Michigan Auto Law, we are the most trusted and experienced semi truck accident lawyers in the state, securing record-breaking settlements and verdicts for our clients year after year.

Unlike regular car crash cases, these cases involve complex federal and state regulations, multiple parties, and trucking company insurance carriers that fight aggressively to limit payouts. Our attorneys know these rules inside and out, and we’ve secured record-breaking settlements and verdicts for commercial crash victims year after year.

We are the only law firm in the state with a board certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy—the highest designation of skill and experience available. Attorney Steven Gursten is a former president of the American Association for Justice Truck Accident Litigation Group and one of only three lawyers nationwide to receive the Hall of Fame Award for semi crash litigation (out of more than 110,000 attorneys who claim to handle these cases).

With a deep knowledge of our state’s no-fault insurance system and comparative negligence law, we protect your rights and fight for maximum compensation. Beyond results, we are also the most awarded semi truck accident firm in Michigan—and we pride ourselves on being caring, compassionate lawyers who keep you informed every step of the way.

If you were injured in a semi crash and don’t know what to do, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced Michigan truck accident lawyer. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

Our law firm is the state’s largest and most successful law firm that specializes exclusively in helping people who have been injured in automobile crashes.

Our secret? Our attorneys deliberately handle fewer cases than other personal injury law firms.  This allows us to focus more time and attention on our cases.

Unlike other law firms, our attorneys are never too busy to promptly return phone calls and answer questions. 

We have more than 2,500 5-Star Reviews that reflect this care and attention to detail.

More importantly, this client-focused approach leads to better and faster settlements for our clients. Our attorneys have recovered more million-dollar settlements and trial verdicts for motor vehicle crashes than any other lawyer or law firm in the state. We’ve also recovered the highest ever reported car crash and big rig crash settlement in the state.

Call now so we can start making a real difference for you.