Auto Accident Injury in Saginaw, MI

Saginaw might not see the same volume of traffic as Michigan’s larger cities, but that doesn’t make its roads any safer. Whether it’s speeding on Davenport Avenue or distracted driving near the Fashion Square Mall, accidents happen frequently—and their consequences can be life-changing.

After a crash, you may be dealing with more than just physical pain. There’s the challenge of medical bills, missed work, insurance adjusters asking tough questions, and a legal process that isn’t always friendly to injury victims.

This guide is built to help Saginaw residents take the right steps after a car accident. From understanding local crash trends and Michigan’s no-fault system to knowing when to involve an attorney, you’ll find the information you need.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Saginaw, Michigan

Saginaw may be a smaller city, but its traffic risks are anything but minor. According to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, Saginaw County reported 4,074 traffic crashes in 2022 alone. Of these, 945 resulted in injuries, and 21 were fatal—a concerning trend for a county with fewer than 200,000 residents (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, 2022).

Within the city limits, crash hotspots include intersections like State Street and Bay Road, and the stretch of I-675 that cuts through downtown. Common contributing factors include speeding, distracted driving, failure to yield, and weather-related hazards—particularly during the icy winter months. Snow and freezing rain frequently lead to multi-car pileups and rear-end collisions, especially in areas lacking adequate lighting or plowing.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

The moments after a car crash are often chaotic—your heart’s racing, adrenaline is high, and you may not be thinking clearly. But what you do in the minutes and hours after an accident in Saginaw can greatly impact your recovery and your ability to receive compensation.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

Always check for injuries first. If you or anyone else is hurt, call 911 immediately. Emergency responders from the City of Saginaw Fire Department or Mobile Medical Response (MMR) will arrive to assess the scene and provide care. They may take you to Covenant HealthCare or Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, both of which serve the greater Saginaw area.

Even if you feel fine, it’s critical to get evaluated. Many injuries, including whiplash, soft tissue damage, and concussions, may not show symptoms right away.

Getting prompt medical treatment also creates a formal record that links your injuries to the crash—something insurers often require. Be sure to keep all documentation, including hospital intake forms, discharge summaries, prescriptions, and follow-up recommendations.

File a Police Report

Michigan law requires you to report any motor vehicle accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. If police respond to the scene, they’ll complete the report for you. In Saginaw, this is typically handled by the Saginaw Police Department, but state troopers from the Michigan State Police Tri-City Post may also be involved if you’re on the highway.

If no officer arrives, you’re still legally required to report the accident by filing a UD-10 Traffic Crash Report with local law enforcement or the Michigan State Police within five days (Michigan Vehicle Code § 257.622). Be sure to ask for the police report number and follow up to obtain a copy—it’s one of the most important pieces of evidence in your case.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

If you’re physically able and it’s safe to do so, begin collecting information at the scene. Exchange the following with all drivers involved:

• Full names and contact details
• Driver’s license numbers and issuing states
• Vehicle registration and license plate numbers
• Insurance providers and policy numbers
• Contact information for any eyewitnesses

Take as many photos and videos as possible using your phone. Capture vehicle positions, road conditions, signage, traffic signals, visible injuries, and any debris or skid marks. These visuals often prove more reliable than memory and can be instrumental when filing your claim or lawsuit.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

Because Michigan follows a no-fault insurance system, your first source of compensation is your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Regardless of who caused the crash, PIP typically pays for:

• Reasonable and necessary medical expenses

• Up to 85% of lost wages, capped at a state-determined monthly maximum (for up to three years)

• Household replacement services, like help with chores or transportation

• Funeral and burial costs, in fatal accident cases (Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services)

However, PIP benefits may not cover the full extent of your losses—especially if your injuries are serious, ongoing, or result in permanent disability. If your injuries meet Michigan’s legal definition of a “serious impairment of body function”, you may file a third-party claim against the at-fault driver to recover additional damages.

Auto Accident Laws in Michigan

Liability Laws for Saginaw

Michigan also enforces a modified comparative negligence rule. This means:

• If you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault
• If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any non-economic damages at all (MCL 600.2959)

This rule makes it critically important to avoid admitting fault at the scene and to consult an attorney before giving a statement to the other driver’s insurer. Even casual remarks can be used to assign blame and reduce your settlement.

Statute of Limitations in Saginaw

For most personal injury lawsuits related to a car accident—whether you’re suing for serious injuries, pain and suffering, or other losses—the statute of limitations in Michigan is three years from the date of the crash (MCL 600.5805). This applies if you’re filing a third-party claim against an at-fault driver or other negligent party once you’ve stepped outside the no-fault system.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Saginaw, MI

After a car accident in Saginaw, you shouldn’t have to face the stress of recovery, insurance negotiations, and legal deadlines alone. Between Michigan’s no-fault system, strict comparative negligence rules, and complex statutes of limitations, it’s easy to make a costly mistake if you don’t have someone in your corner who understands the law.

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Michigan!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.