You're sitting at a red light on Woodward Avenue. The car behind you bumps into your rear bumper. You both get out. There's a small scuff on your bumper. The other driver apologizes profusely. Everything seems fine. No injuries. Minimal damage. They offer to pay cash for any repairs. You're wondering: do you really need to call the police and file a report for something this minor?
This decision feels insignificant at the moment. You're inclined to just exchange information and move on. Filing a police report seems like overkill for a parking lot-speed bump. But this casual decision could cost you thousands of dollars or leave you without recourse when problems emerge later. Understanding Michigan's accident reporting requirements and why they exist protects you from making choices that feel reasonable now but create serious problems later.
When you're involved in any collision in the Detroit area, even seemingly minor ones, consulting with an experienced Detroit car accident lawyer helps you understand your obligations and rights rather than relying on what the other driver tells you or what seems easiest in the moment.
Michigan law requires police reports for accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. That $1,000 threshold sounds high. It's not. Modern vehicle repairs hit $1,000 quickly, even for damage that looks minor. A bumper replacement on newer vehicles can cost $1,500 to $3,000, including paint matching and sensors.
The law also requires reporting within a reasonable time, typically immediately or as soon as practical. Waiting days or weeks to report an accident creates problems even if you eventually file a report.
Police don't always respond to minor property damage accidents, especially in busy Detroit precincts dealing with serious crimes. You might call and be told to exchange information and file an online report later. This doesn't mean reporting isn't required. It means police are prioritizing resources.
The fact that police didn't come to the scene doesn't eliminate your reporting obligation or the benefits of having an official accident record.
The most common problem from unreported accidents emerges when you try to file an insurance claim. Insurance companies want police reports. Without one, they're skeptical. They question whether the accident happened as you describe. They suggest you might be committing fraud. They delay or deny claims that would have been straightforward with proper documentation.
Even if the other driver promised to pay out of pocket, that promise often evaporates. Once they see the actual repair cost, they disappear. Now you're trying to file a claim weeks or months after the accident with no police report and no way to verify what happened.
Many car accident injuries don't appear immediately. Whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue injuries often manifest hours or days later. If you didn't report the original accident, proving your injuries came from that specific collision becomes extremely difficult.
Medical providers and insurance companies want documentation showing when and how you were injured. Without a police report from the accident date, you're asking people to trust your uncorroborated story about an unreported accident.
When someone offers to pay cash for damages instead of going through insurance, they're usually motivated by self-interest. They might have no insurance. They might have a terrible driving record and can't afford another accident on their record. They might be driving without a valid license.
Accepting cash payments seems simple. You get money immediately without insurance hassles. But you're trusting someone who just hit your car to accurately assess damage they're not qualified to evaluate and fairly compensate you for repairs they have every incentive to lowball.
Modern vehicles hide extensive damage behind minor exterior marks. A slight bumper dent might conceal $4,000 in frame damage, sensor repairs, or structural issues. You won't know until a qualified body shop does a proper inspection.
When you agree not to report an accident based on visible damage alone, you're gambling that nothing expensive is hidden underneath. That's a bet you'll often lose.
Always call the police, even for seemingly minor accidents. If they won't send an officer, file an online report immediately. Get the other driver's insurance information, license plate, and driver's license details. Take photos of all vehicles from multiple angles, including license plates and damage. And get contact information from any witnesses, even for minor accidents.
These steps feel excessive when you're standing in a parking lot looking at a small scratch. But they're necessary protection against problems you can't predict standing at the accident scene.
The "minor" accident you didn't report can evolve into serious legal and financial problems. The other driver might claim injuries you don't remember. They might file their own accident report, blaming you entirely. They might sue you. Without your own contemporaneous accident report, you're fighting from a defensive position.
Working with experienced attorneys at Cochran, Kroll & Associates P.C., who handle Detroit area accident cases regularly, helps you understand these risks before making casual decisions about whether to report accidents. They can explain your rights, your obligations, and why following proper procedures protects your interests even when it feels unnecessarily formal.
Report every accident, regardless of how minor it appears. The time and inconvenience of filing a report are trivial compared to the problems you'll face trying to fix an unreported accident later. Michigan's reporting requirements exist to protect everyone involved. Follow them even when it seems like overkill for your specific situation.
