Is it against the law in Michigan not to report a car accident?

In 2022 Michiganders were involved in almost 300,000 car accidents.

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Some of those accidents were fatal, while others were simple fender benders.

Law enforcement needs to get involved when you have those major accidents, but what about when you have a smaller accident? do you have to call the police and report the car accident?

Here is what the law in Michigan says.

Is It Against The Law In Michigan Not To Report A Car Accident?

Michigan law requires drivers to report any vehicle accident that causes more than $1,000 in property damage, results in death or injury or damages an unattended vehicle or other property.

The driver is typically not required to draft an actual report, but must immediately alert the police that an accident has occurred.

Cities and counties can also have additional crash reporting rules.

For example, Detroit requires you to report an accident whenever a car can no longer be driven in its usual manner.

So even if the crash is minor but you end up in a ditch and needs to be towed out, you must report it to the Detroit Police Department.

Michigan Has Strong Penalties For Not Reporting Certain Accidents

If the accident is serious, the police must be immediately informed. A hit and run without injuries can result in a suspended license, fine, and misdemeanor conviction.

If you flee the scene and someone is seriously injured or dies, you could receive a felony conviction punishable by 15 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Mechanics are also held to a high standard when it comes to reporting vehicles that were in an accident.

When a garage or repair shop receives a vehicle for repair that shows evidence of being involved in an accident, the garage manager is required to immediately report this information to the nearest police station or sheriff's office.