Adults Involved in an Automobile Crash

Obtain information on circumstances of crash, automobile involved, name of responsible auto insurance company. Provided information handout "Patient's Involved in Traffic Accidents".

• Educate patient/family about no fault insurance; role of case manager if appropriate given injury
• Request family report accident to agent
• Notify admitting and Practice Management
• If everyone involved is uninsured, then start Medicaid application
• Information patient/family about insurance case manager contact and role
• Give family copy of No Fault Booklet(s)
• Issues related to individuals who are not insured in Michigan (live in other states, have car insured in another state or county) are complicated. For a listing of states with no-fault auto and minimum levels of insurance required, Insure. com is some help.

If patient was injured in an automobile crash while working (e.g. truck driver) refer to worker’s compensation. If car belongs to employer it could be their auto insurance will cover rather than the individual's.

If not insured and no insured source but entitled to coverage (e.g. pedestrian, passenger) then provide information about the uninsured pool and an application.

If patient noted to be driving impaired (.07 - .1) or under the influence (> .1)

• Provide “brief intervention” talk to mild to moderate drinkers. For information on Brief interventions for substance abuse go to Social Work Competency - Brief Intervention
• Offer referral or assistance
• Provide pamphlet on Michigan Laws for drunk driving and information on the BAL and explore with them any implications of the law. e.g. loss of driver's license or mandated jail time.
• If another person severely injured or killed as result of their actions encourage them to seek legal advice as well as discussing their reactions.
• Michigan Dept. of Community Health maintains a listing of Impaired Driving Service Providers by County and whether they provide Assessment and/or classes if you wish to give to patient as resource.

If patient had seizure, syncope or blackout that contributed to the accident, s/he may need to be cautioned not to drive. Explore with patient and/or family the implications that this might have and identify any barriers with compliance.

If individual was injured by drunk driver provide with information on crime victims. Information and application on line at Michigan.gov in Department of Community Health. You might consider providing them with the brochure Civil Justice for Victims of Crime which outlines civil suit information. Consider giving them information from the MADD web site. There is excellent information on all aspects of drunk driving and recovery.

As a large percentage of individuals who have been involved in motor vehicle crashed develop Acute Stress Symptoms, consider providing an educational intervention on Responses to Traumatic Events. See section on Acute Stress for specifics of that intervention. (still under construction)

If individual is injured and will be unable to drive for a period of time, explore their need for referral to elderly and handicap transportation resources.

If individual is older consider a discussion with them about driving safety for the elderly. Consider a brief intervention to explore where they are in their decision. If sufficient evidence exists that their cognitive or physical condition puts them and others at risk, it must be discussed with patient and family

If family members or doctors wish to report older or unsafe drivers to the Secretary of State this can be done by completing and submitting a “Request for Driver Evaluation”

Process to obtain a copy of the police report.

If patient/family has questions about legal options to sue in situations of automobile crash, you can provide them with information available on Michigan-E-Law. They can review this before determining if they want to seek legal advice.

Consder providing the patient/family with information about the Crash Survivor Network or Mother's Against Drunk Driving.

For suggestions of ways to document the auto injury process see the attached document.