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I was contacted by a concerned parent after dealing with their teen's accident situation.
The parent explained they had talked with their teen about what they should do if they are in an accident, but, in addition to their safety, do teen drivers really understand what they are required to do by law at accident scenes?
With teen drivers only having limited experience operating a vehicle on the roadway, a traffic accident could really cause the teen driver to become distraught. If a teen driver, or any driver, finds themselves involved in a traffic accident, there are a few things they should do for their own safety.
If a driver has a collision with an object -- an animal, another car, or any other item -- they should stop immediately where the accident happened. If the driver is able to move the vehicle out of the flow of traffic and on to the shoulder of the road or into a parking lot, that will allow other traffic to continue without causing further problems or another collision.
Do not move any of the debris from the vehicles, if possible, so the officer has the complete picture if an investigation is needed. The driver should remain at the scene of the accident until an officer responds or you are otherwise directed.
Once it is safe, the driver should then contact their local dispatch center if they know the number, or simply call 911. The driver should then turn off the vehicle to avoid any further issues with the vehicle, such as a fire. The driver should then turn on the hazard lights, if possible, to warn other motorists traveling on the roadway of their disabled vehicle.
If anyone is injured, they could provide basic first aid if they have the knowledge, or notify the dispatch center an ambulance is needed for any serious injuries. After all of the above are completed, in many situations it is safer to wait in your vehicle until law enforcement arrives. Refrain from smoking near the scene, as gas or fumes may being leaking as a result of the accident.
With any accident that happens on the roadway, there is a duty to report that accident.
If a driver fails to report the accident, they could be criminally charged. The specific statute that requires you to report anytime you have been involved in an accident is MCL 257.618. It covers, "Accidents; ... reporting to police agency or officer." Section 257.618(1) states, "The driver of a vehicle who knows or who has reason to believe that he has been involved in an accident upon public or private property (when there is an injury) that is open to travel by the public shall immediately stop his or her vehicle at the scene of the accident and ... immediately report the accident to the nearest or most convenient police agency or officer ..."
That includes car-deer or any other animals you hit, sliding off the roadway causing damage to your vehicle or someone's property, and colliding with another vehicle or fixed objects.
If a driver fails to report the accident, the driver could be charged with a misdemeanor and spend up to 90 days in jail with approximately $150 fine/costs. Under MCL 257.217a, if the driver has reason to believe they were involved in an accident that caused injuries to an individual, but leaves the scene, they could be found guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail and fines/costs up to approximately $1,500.
Ashley Simpson is the community service trooper for the Michigan State Police-Alpena Post. If you have a question for Trooper Simpson, you can email her at asktroopersimpson@gmail.com or mail them to Ask A Trooper, Michigan State Police-Alpena Post, 3283 W. Washington Ave., Alpena, Michigan, 49707.