Yes, you need to file a police report for a car accident in Michigan if the crash results in death, injury, or property damage of $1,000 or more.
To satisfy the law’s requirements, you must “immediately” report that accident “at the nearest or most convenient police station, or to the nearest or most convenient police officer.”
Reasons why you Need to File a Michigan Police Report
- Most Insurance Companies require a police report to determine fault when paying out a Michigan Mini-Tort Claim. Michigan Mini-Tort allows a vehicle owner to collect up to $3,000 for vehicle damage repair costs from the at-fault driver. This limit is now $3,000 as of July 1, 2020. You collect a portion of these totals if you are partially at fault and the other driver is also partially at fault.
- To claim with your insurance company, they will require you to File a police report for “uninsured motorist” or “underinsured motorist” benefits if the other party did not have auto insurance at the time of the accident.
- Making a police report will require you to file an official statement with the State of Michigan. This documentation is essential if the other at-fault party tries to dispute being at fault or causing the accident. Take pictures to document the facts of the accident so the other driver cannot deny being in the accident. Insurance companies may need this documentation to determine if they will waive your deductible if you have broadened collision.
- You will need a police report to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for your injuries. The other party’s insurance companies require the police report to verify the facts.
- Insurance companies may need a police report to prove loss. As an insured, it is your responsibility to provide the requested documentation. Failure to do so can result in the insurance company denying your claim.
Where to order Michigan Traffic Accident Reports
You can order a Police report at the police station in the city where the accident occurred. The cost for the report is $10.00; two sites where you can order a traffic report online:
- You can visit the Traffic Crash Purchasing System website to request a copy of a Michigan Traffic Crash Report (UD-10).
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- When ordering online, you must have the date of the crash, the driver’s license number and the driver’s date of birth.
- You will also need the Crash number and date of the crash.
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- You can order a report online from Clemis. Reports should be available 2 – 3 days after the incident. You can purchase crash reports with Visa, MasterCard, and Discover via the Website. The information you need to order the report is below.
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- Please provide the incident number, driver/owner/passenger’s date of birth, and the date of the crash incident (the incident number is on the crash slip the police gave you).
- Driver’s license number, Driver’s Date of Birth, and Date of Crash Incident
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- You can order a Detroit Police Report online at LexisNexis.
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- You must have the exact date of the accident.
- The cross streets where the accident happened
- Valid ID
- Cost of the Accident Report is $10.00 cash or money order (exact amount, no change provided)
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