What Is In My Michigan Accident Report?
If you were involved in a crash in Michigan, the responding officer would likely fill out an official Michigan Traffic Crash report. In your crash report, the officer will be as objective as possible as they take down all of the facts of your accident. This will prove to be a key piece of evidence when you file a claim with your insurance company.
Once your crash report is filed, it is important to obtain a copy for your records as soon as possible. It is essential that you are able to understand how to read each section of your report. This could protect you from any false or misleading information being brought forward later on.
Although it is easy to understand for most attorneys and law enforcement officers, seeing a crash report for the first time can be overwhelming for the everyday person. That is why we have explained every section of your report to help you through the initial steps of the claims process.
The Eight Sections Your Michigan Traffic Crash Report
In the first section, the investigating officer will take down the most basic details of your accident, including:
- The investigating department and officer.
- The date and time of the crash.
- The number of vehicles involved.
- The type of crash (head-on, rear-end, hit-and-run, etc.)
- The county and city where the crash occurred.
- Special circumstances surround the crash.
- This section will include specific details regarding every driver involved in the crash. Including,
- Driver names, addresses, and contact information.
- Owner names, addresses, and contact information.
- Driver’s license and license plate information.
- If the drivers were wearing seat belts.
- If the airbags were deployed.
- The number of occupants in the vehicle.
- If anyone was ejected in the crash.
- The number and extent of any injuries sustained in the crash.
- Details of any hospital and EMS information.
- Distraction or impairment information.
The standard report has enough space for two drivers. If more than two vehicles were involved in the crash, the officer would use a supplemental sheet to take down the information for any additional drivers.
The fourth section contains important information about all vehicles involved in the crash. It includes:
- Vehicle registration information.
- Insurance information.
- Towing company location and information.
- The vehicle make, model, and year.
- Trailer information (If applicable).
- Vehicle Identification Numbers.
- The extent of any damages sustained in the crash.
- Vehicle defects.
In this section, the investigator will list information about all other occupants involved in the crash, such as:
- The occupant’s name, address, and contact information.
- The occupant’s location in the vehicle.
- If the occupant was trapped or ejected in the crash.
- The extent of injuries sustained by the occupant.
- Hospital and EMS information (if applicable/).
If any serious or fatal injuries were sustained in the crash, that information may be documented in a supplemental sheet.
If your accident resulted in damage to property other than a motor vehicle, that information would be documented in this section. The investigator will indicate whether the damaged property was publicly or privately owned. If the property is owned by a private entity, the officer will record the following:
- Type of property that was damaged.
- The property owner’s name and phone number.
If you were involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer or a bus, the investigating officer will take note of those details in this section. These details include:
- The commercial carrier’s name and address.
- The type of vehicle involved in the crash.
- The cargo body type.
- Hazardous material information, including Hazmat ID and Class.
- The commercial carrier’s licensing numbers.
- The driver’s CDL license, endorsements, and exemptions.
The final portion of your crash report is among the most important sections to be considered by your insurance company. Here, the investigator has the opportunity to document, in their professional option, the events that took place during your crash. In addition, they will establish fault and causation, two key elements that will be used by the insurance company while investigating your claim and determining your settlement.
The officer’s opinion will be greatly considered by the adjuster assigned to your claim. This is because the officer represents an objective third-party witness. If an officer does not respond to the scene, that eliminates the opportunity for an official crash report to be filed, which could significantly damage your case.
Common Questions About the Michigan Traffic Crash Report
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