What to do after a car accident in Michigan?

If you’re involved in a traffic accident, don’t do what two Oakland County police officers did: Don’t sit in your car in the highway lane.

Despite officers assisting a tow truck with their blue lights on, they were struck by a pickup truck on M-59 one minute before midnight on Saturday, August 19. Both officers were injured, one seriously, but the pickup truck driver died after being extricated by Rochester Hills rescue crews.

For everyone except the police, sitting in a parked car on the highway is a no-go. If you have ever had an accident, this is an invitation another Accident. It’s at the top of the list of five mistakes you shouldn’t make after a collision.

Don’t just sit there

Get your vehicle and yourself off the road as quickly as possible. Michigan and most other states have had a law to that effect since 2015. Police say, “If you can drive it, get it out of the way.” You must get off the road if your car is drivable and no one has obvious injuries. Whoa, the online advice from a law firm is, “Do not move your vehicle. For insurance purposes, it is very important that your vehicle remain in its original location.” Wrong. What should you do? Pull over to the shoulder or nearest exit, then stay in your car with your seatbelt fastened. Getting to a safe location, perhaps a parking lot or even a police station, is not the same as leaving the scene of an accident under Michigan law. Of course, turn on your hazard lights immediately.

The pickup truck hitting the officers at a speed estimated by accident investigators to be over 70 miles per hour was, according to a statement by Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, “a tragic reminder to the public to stay ready to drive, stay focused and move one lane away from emergency vehicles,” as required by state law.

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Do not hesitate to call 911

Be prepared to say exactly where you are and your name. Also say if you left the scene of the accident and why. For example, you felt threatened by speeding cars, darkness, an unfamiliar area or the other driver’s behavior. By law, if you’re in an accident that causes injuries or damages exceeding $1,000, you must call 911. Rule of thumb: “If there’s visible damage, call,” Bouchard says. But even for minor accidents, it never hurts to call the police. Many drivers say that speaking to a 911 operator after an accident has calmed them down and helped them know what to do.

Do not show your driving license

Protect your identification, including your home address. If there are no police nearby, give the other driver your name, phone number, and insurance information. But be aware: Some at-fault drivers give false names. If there is a serious accident, wait until the police arrive before exchanging information. While you wait, simply say you are waiting for the police, no matter who might be at fault – while rolling up your window. Once a police officer arrives, give them any information the officer wants. Try to reach the other driver. driver Name, insurance company, phone number and license plate number. Also make note of the officer’s name.

Don’t take the blame

Instead, take photos — of both cars, if possible, including the license plates. Do this quickly as the other driver leaves the scene. But don’t blame others for the accident. Just tell police what you think happened. Stick to the facts, at the scene of the accident and when questioned later. Taking blame and starting to make excuses can affect your insurance payout. Although Michigan is a no-fault state, some accidents do end up in court. And if your accident happens elsewhere, remember that Michigan’s neighboring states — Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin — don’t have no-fault insurance.

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Do not forego medical care

Many accident victims are dazed and want to believe that everything will be OK. If in doubt, get yourself checked out. Injuries may not become apparent for several hours or even days or weeks. If you feel fine, your passenger may need help.

Another tip? This one doesn’t apply if you have an accident, but if you happen to witness an accident that just happened. Sorry, churchgoers: Don’t be a Good Samaritan.

“We really don’t want people to stop and help,” says Lt. Mike Shaw, spokesman for the Michigan State Police. “We’re seeing more and more people stopping to help, becoming an obstacle for emergency responders and putting themselves in danger,” says Shaw. What’s the most helpful thing for a driver when they see a recent accident?

“We would prefer if you would stop at another safe location and simply call 911. Be sure to make your location known,” Shaw says.

So are you at risk? Traffic fatalities are up — in Michigan, by 15% from 2018 to 2022, according to state police. Today’s vehicles are bigger and faster, and more drivers are reckless. That’s a trend from the pandemic, when roads were nearly empty. “We call it the COVID hangover,” says Gary Bubar, traffic safety specialist with AAA Auto Club Group.

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