Leaving the scene of an accident — commonly called a hit and run — is one of the most misunderstood driving charges. It is not a ticket, and in Michigan it ranges from a misdemeanor to a serious felony depending on what the crash caused. Even a minor fender-bender you drive away from can become a criminal charge. This guide explains Michigan's duties after a crash, the penalty tiers, and why any leaving-the-scene charge needs a defense attorney.
Every level of leaving the scene of an accident in Michigan is a crime — from a property-damage misdemeanor to a felony when serious injury or death is involved. A conviction creates a criminal record. This is not something you resolve by paying a fine; you need a criminal defense attorney.
Key Takeaways
- The charge scales with the harm — property damage is a misdemeanor; serious injury or death makes it a felony.
- You have duties after any crash — stop, remain, and provide your information — and render aid when there is injury.
- Even minor hit and runs are crimes — driving away from a property-damage crash is still a criminal misdemeanor.
- Felony tiers carry prison time — serious impairment or death can mean up to 5, or up to 15, years depending on the circumstances.
- This needs a defense attorney — subscribers who submit a leaving-the-scene matter are connected with a criminal defense specialist.
Your duties after a crash in Michigan
Michigan law requires any driver involved in a crash to do several things. Failing to do them is what turns an accident into a leaving-the-scene charge:
- Stop immediately at the scene, or as close to it as safely possible.
- Remain at the scene.
- Provide information — your name, address, vehicle registration, and, on request, your license and insurance details — to the other driver, the police, or the owner of damaged property.
- Render reasonable assistance when someone is injured, such as arranging or seeking medical help.
If you strike an unattended vehicle or property, you are required to locate the owner or leave your information. These duties apply even when you believe the crash was minor or not your fault.
The penalty tiers
Michigan grades leaving the scene by the harm the crash caused. The tiers rise sharply:
- Property damage only. Fleeing a crash that damaged a vehicle or property is amisdemeanor, with jail exposure of up to 90 days and a fine. The least severe tier — but still a criminal charge.
- Personal injury. Leaving the scene of a crash that caused injury is a more seriousmisdemeanor, carrying up to a year in jail, a larger fine, a license suspension, and points.
- Serious impairment of a body function. A felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a substantial fine.
- Death. Leaving the scene of a crash you were at fault for that resulted in death is afelony with up to 15 years in prison and a large fine.
When a leaving-the-scene charge involves serious injury or death, the stakes are enormous — years of potential prison time and a permanent felony record. If you are facing one of these, do not speak to investigators without a criminal defense attorney.
Why these cases are often defensible
Leaving-the-scene charges frequently hinge on specific facts that a defense attorney can contest: whether you actually knew a crash had occurred, whether you were aware of injury or damage, whether you were correctly identified as the driver, and whether the required duties were genuinely unmet. Because the penalties escalate so steeply between tiers, the difference between a favorable and unfavorable outcome can be the difference between a manageable misdemeanor and a felony record. This is exactly why representation matters.
Traffic Ticket Buddy's subscription plans cover civil traffic violations. Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal charge and is not handled through the standard plans. If you are a subscriber and submit a leaving-the-scene matter, we connect you with an experienced criminal defense attorney through our referral network.
Charged with leaving the scene of an accident?
Hit and run is a criminal charge that requires a defense attorney. If you are a Traffic Ticket Buddy subscriber, submit your case and we will connect you with a Michigan criminal defense specialist.
Learn How It WorksCDL holders: a conviction can end your career
For commercial drivers, leaving the scene of an accident is a serious violation that can trigger disqualification of your commercial driving privileges on top of the criminal penalties. If you hold a CDL, see ourCDL plans and consult an attorney immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Is leaving the scene of an accident a felony in Michigan?
It depends on the harm. Leaving the scene of a property-damage-only crash is a misdemeanor. Leaving the scene of a crash that causes personal injury is a more serious misdemeanor. If the crash causes serious impairment of a body function or death, leaving the scene becomes a felony with years of potential prison time.
What is the penalty for a hit and run with property damage in Michigan?
Fleeing the scene of a crash involving only property damage is a misdemeanor that can carry up to 90 days in jail and a fine. While it is the least severe tier, it is still a criminal charge with a record, not a simple ticket.
What am I required to do after an accident in Michigan?
Michigan law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop at the scene, remain there, and provide identifying and insurance information. When the crash involves injury or death, you must also render reasonable assistance. Failing to stop and meet these duties is what creates a leaving-the-scene charge.
Does Traffic Ticket Buddy handle hit and run charges?
Not through the standard subscription. Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal charge, so it is not covered by the ordinary plans. If you are a Traffic Ticket Buddy subscriber and submit a leaving-the-scene matter, we connect you with a criminal defense attorney through our referral network.