What to Know About Crashes Involving Young Drivers in Michigan
Michigan’s Graduated Driver Licensing system is designed to reduce the risk of crashes involving new and young drivers by limiting when and how they can drive during the early stages of licensing. When a young driver is involved in a crash, whether as the at-fault driver, an injured passenger, or a victim, specific legal questions may arise depending on the driver’s age, licensing level, and circumstances of the collision.
Michigan’s Graduated Driver Licensing System
Michigan’s GDL system is codified at MCL 257.310e. The system has three levels. Level 1 status may be issued to a person at least 14 years and 9 months of age who has passed a vision test, completed segment 1 of a driver education course, and received parental consent. A Level 1 driver may only operate a motor vehicle when accompanied by a licensed parent or legal guardian, or a licensed driver 21 or older with parental permission.
Level 2 status may be issued after at least 6 months at Level 1, completion of segment 2 driver education, 50 hours of supervised driving including 10 hours at night, and satisfaction of the applicable testing and driving-record requirements. Level 2 drivers face nighttime and passenger restrictions. According to the Michigan Secretary of State, Level 2 drivers generally may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and may not carry more than one passenger under 21, subject to exceptions for employment, authorized activities, immediate family members, and certain supervised driving situations.
Under Kelsey’s Law, codified at MCL 257.602c, Level 1 and Level 2 drivers generally may not use a cell phone while driving, subject to limited statutory exceptions, including certain emergencies and use of a voice-operated system integrated into the vehicle.
Level 3 is automatically issued at age 17 or older after at least 6 months at Level 2 and 12 consecutive months without violations or at-fault crashes, according to the Michigan Secretary of State.
What the 2024 Data Shows
According to Michigan State Police data, fatalities among teens ages 13 to 19 increased 17 percent in 2024, from 66 in 2023 to 77 in 2024. The state also separately tracks crashes involving young drivers ages 16 to 20 as part of its traffic-safety reporting.
Legal Questions After a Young Driver Crash
When a young driver causes a crash that injures another person, civil liability follows the same general framework as other negligence claims, but additional questions may arise depending on the circumstances. If a Level 1 driver was operating a vehicle without a required supervising adult, or if a Level 2 driver violated nighttime or passenger restrictions at the time of the crash, those violations may be relevant to how fault is evaluated.
In Michigan, parents or legal guardians who sign a minor’s license application may have civil exposure depending on the circumstances of a crash caused by that minor. An attorney can evaluate the specific facts, including the licensing level, any applicable restrictions, and the conduct of each party involved.
Michigan’s no-fault system may provide eligible injured people with PIP benefits, depending on the applicable coverage and circumstances. Whether additional claims may be available depends on the injuries and the specific facts of the crash. When an injured person is a minor, special rules under MCL 600.5851 may affect certain filing deadlines, but different deadlines can apply to different claims and insurance benefits. Families should not assume that every deadline is extended simply because the injured person is under 18.
If you or a family member were involved in a crash involving a young driver in Macomb, Wayne, or Oakland County, our team may be able to help. To speak with a Michigan personal injury attorney, contact us today.
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Note: Our law office relies on external sources for the content of this post. Although we aim for accuracy, we have not independently verified all facts related to this incident. Please notify Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC for corrections if you identify any inaccuracies. Posts will be removed upon request.
Disclaimer: The content of this post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for business. The information contained herein is not intended to offer legal or medical advice. If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident, it is recommended to seek immediate medical assistance. The photo featured in this post was not taken at the actual scene of the accident.
