As easy as it is to go down the hypochondriac rabbit hole, we all know that WebMD is no replacement for a real doctor. Your medical history, your family’s medical history, and your unique living conditions are all relevant factors that a trained medical professional takes into account when assessing your health. Ignoring these factors can lead to an incomplete or completely incorrect diagnosis.

The same is true for legal advice.

As tempting as it may be to earn your “web JD” at two in the morning the day after an accident, don’t. The internet is a divisive, polarizing, and sometimes downright scary place. Compounded with the shock from your accident, frantic late-night searches rarely bring clarity. They usually create more questions.

In this blog, we’ll review the most common Google searches after an accident in Michigan, explain why these search results fall short, and offer you some alternative outlets to channel your fear and anxiety.

Common Searches After an Accident

Uncertainty and paranoia run rampant after a serious auto accident.

Your body, which likely exhibited some type of fight or flight response, undergoes a period of adjustment after this type of trauma. As your adrenaline levels settle and reality begins to set in, many people gravitate to Google for answers:

• Do I need a lawyer after a car accident?
• Should I talk to the insurance company?
• What is my car accident case worth?
• How long do I have to file a claim or lawsuit?
• Is this pain normal after a car accident?
• What should I do after a car accident?

As common as these searches are after an accident, the results they yield are often less than helpful. The reason isn’t about the quality of the information available. It’s that search results can’t account for the timing, context, and specifics of your situation.

Issues with Relying Solely on Internet Information

Just as with a medical diagnosis, online information can point you in the right direction. But a definitive diagnosis isn’t possible without the help of a trained health care professional.

Legal advice isn’t any different.

Online information can give you a general understanding of your legal situation, but is no replacement for a personal injury attorney. Below, we’ll discuss why search results alone fall short of sound legal advice.

Search Results Don’t Equal a Strategy

Good advice depends on more than a single question or answer. Truly helpful legal advice, like that you would receive from an attorney, is part of a broader strategy.

While Google can give you answers to individual questions, it can’t help you understand how those answers fit together. Decisions after an accident build on each other over time. Without understanding the bigger picture, even correct information can lead you astray.

Generic Advice Ignores Timing and Context

Timing and context are crucially important when dealing with insurance after an auto accident.

Most online legal content is written to apply broadly. It’s not tailored to where you are in the claims process, the specific injuries you’re dealing with, or how your situation has evolved since your accident.

Generic advice that seems helpful early on can carry completely different implications weeks or months down the line. Search results rarely take this into account, which is why timing and context mean just as much as the information itself.

Comparison Creates Anxiety, Not Clarity

Upon searching Google, you might encounter some accidents that sound very similar to your own. The key word here is similar.

While the facts may seem to align, no forum post or blog discussion is going to capture all of the relevant details of your accident. Comparing your injuries, timeline, or financial outcomes with that of a random stranger typically amounts to more anxiety than clarity. Without full context, comparisons tend to raise new questions rather than providing any meaningful insight.

What Actually Helps (More Than Another Search Result)

Despite having access to the most abundant source of information ever, another search result isn’t going to bring you clarity.

While it might feel natural to dump every ounce of your uncertainty into the Google search bar, don’t. Doing so will only prompt new questions and create a deeper sense of panic.

The solution to your troubles isn’t going to be found in a Reddit discussion or Quora post. The answers you’re seeking lie with a personal injury attorney.

The perspective of an injury attorney is an invaluable tool to have at your disposal after a wreck. These accident aficionados are trained to look at the full picture, understand where you are in the compensation process, and explain how individual decisions connect over time.

The same way a doctor is the only person who can diagnose and treat certain physical ailments, an injury attorney is uniquely qualified to provide legal counsel after an accident. So instead of researching Michigan auto insurance laws until you’re blue in the face, put your trust in someone who’s already done their homework.

Get David Get Paid

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, do yourself a favor and take the guesswork out of the equation. Contact Femminineo Law to discuss your situation and better understand your options.

Our seasoned team of personal injury attorneys is experienced, compassionate, and more than ready to answer any questions you might have. We’ve navigated the accident compensation process countless times and want to share our expertise with you!

Give us a call at 855-65-CRASH to speak with our team and learn how we can help.

Get David. Get Paid.