When you discover the other driver can’t cover the crash, your priority is two-track: (1) get your medical needs documented and (2) preserve the accident record while it’s still fresh.
In practical terms:
- Request the police report (and confirm the details are correct). In Michigan, claim decisions often start with the same basic facts used in the investigation.
- Document the scene quickly if you’re able—vehicle positions, traffic controls, and visible damage. Even in a residential area, evidence can disappear fast.
- Keep every medical follow-up appointment and make sure your providers record symptoms consistently.
- Write down your timeline while you remember it: when pain started, what you could (and couldn’t) do, and how recovery affected work and daily life.
These steps matter because insurers frequently ask for proof of causation—especially when injuries develop over days, not minutes.


