Michigan law imposes several duties on a driver involved in a car accident.
After an accident, a driver must:
There are several types of leaving the scene crimes, with escalating levels of consequences.
Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in damage to fixtures upon a highway is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $100 fine, or both. There are no licensing sanctions for this offense. MCL 257.621
Leaving the scene of an accident involving damage to a vehicle is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $100 fine or both. Six points are assessed on the driver’s license and a $1,000 driver’s responsibility fee is to be paid for two consecutive years. MCL 257.618
A misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury to a person carries a steeper penalty of imprisonment of not more than 1 year, a $1,000 fine, or both, with six points and a $1,000 driver’s responsibility fee to be paid over two consecutive years. The law also requires you to render reasonable medical assistance where a person is injured. MCL 257.617a
It is a felony to leave the scene of an accident where serious impairment of a bodily function or death has occurred. Penalties include up to 5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. If the driver who fled the scene caused the accident, penalties may up to 15 years in prison, a $10,000, or both. Six points are assessed on the driver’s record, in addition to a $1,000 driver responsibility fees to be paid for two consecutive years. MCL 257.617
A person charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident may also be charged with the misdemeanor Failure to Report an Accident involving personal injury or property damage of over $1,000, which carries the penalty of imprisonment for not more than 90 days, a $100 fine, or both. There are no licensing sanctions for a conviction. MCL 257.622
If you have been charged with leaving the scene of an accident contact ArborYpsi Law at (734) 883-9584 or at bernstein@arborypsilaw.com to speak with attorney Sam Bernstein and discuss your case.