If you crash on ice, stay buckled until the vehicle stops moving, check yourself and your passengers for injuries, turn on the hazard lights, and call 911 if anyone is hurt or the vehicle is blocking traffic. Slick roads make a second collision more likely, so protecting yourself from oncoming vehicles comes before collecting information.
Winter crashes also raise questions about blame, since icy roads can make a crash feel like nobody’s fault. Fault still applies on slick roads, and it helps to know what to do immediately after an accident before the first call to an insurer. The guidance below uses Michigan rules, though the practical steps apply across the Upper Midwest.
What should you do first after a crash on ice?
Get to a safe position, call for help, and avoid standing where other cars can slide into you. Check for injuries first, because shock and cold can hide pain, and do not move anyone with a possible neck or back injury unless fire or another danger makes it necessary.
If the vehicle can be driven and the crash is minor, move it to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot with the hazard lights on. If it cannot be moved and is still in a travel lane, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services advises carefully exiting and standing at the side of the road, clear of oncoming traffic. In a storm, a vehicle that is safely off the roadway is usually the best shelter while waiting for help, so stay inside with the seat belt on if that is where the car ended up.
Michigan law (MCL 257.622) requires a crash to be reported to police when it involves an injury, a death, or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more. During heavy snow or ice, police and tow trucks may take longer to arrive, so ask the 911 dispatcher for guidance and keep the phone charged and the engine off or running only when the tailpipe is clear of snow.
Why do ice crashes happen, and who is at fault?
Most winter crashes happen because drivers travel too fast for conditions, according to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) and its “Drive Slow on Ice and Snow” campaign. Michigan Traffic Crash Facts records thousands of snow- and ice-related crashes every winter, which shows how routine winter driving trouble is.
Ice and snow explain why a car slid, but they do not automatically explain who is responsible. Drivers are expected to adjust speed, following distance, and braking to the conditions in front of them. A driver who rear-ends another car on a slick road, or who enters a curve too fast for the surface, can still be found at fault even if the pavement was glare ice.
Michigan uses comparative fault rules in injury lawsuits, which means damages can be reduced by each person’s share of responsibility. A person found more than 50 percent at fault cannot recover noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering. No-fault personal injury protection (PIP) benefits for medical expenses are paid by the injured person’s own insurer regardless of who caused the crash, subject to policy limits and a one-year notice deadline under MCL 500.3145.
What should you document after an icy-road crash?
Document the conditions as well as the damage, because the road surface, weather, and visibility are central to deciding what happened. If it is safe to do so, collect the following:
- Photos of the vehicles, damage, and final resting positions before anyone moves them
- Photos of the road surface, including ice patches, slush, snow depth, and whether the road looks salted or plowed
- Skid marks, guardrail hits, signs, and signals near the crash
- The time, temperature, and weather, including freezing rain, blowing snow, or fog
- Names, phone numbers, and insurance details for every driver, plus witness contact information
- The responding officer’s name, agency, and report number
Notes about your own driving help too. Write down the speed you were traveling, how far you were from the vehicle ahead, and what happened in the seconds before the crash, while memory is fresh. Dashcam footage, if available, can capture road conditions and the sequence of events better than any description.
Report the crash to your insurer promptly and see a doctor even for minor soreness. Cold weather and bulky clothing can mask injuries, and symptoms such as neck pain or headaches may not appear for a day or two.
How can you avoid a skid and recover if one starts?
The most effective prevention is slowing down early and leaving extra room, since stopping distances grow sharply on ice. Increase following distance well beyond what is normal in dry weather, brake and accelerate gently, and be cautious on bridges, overpasses, and shaded stretches, which freeze first.
Before leaving, clear snow and ice from the whole vehicle, including the roof, lights, and windows. Keep the vehicle maintained with good tires, working wipers, and a full washer fluid reservoir, and stock a winter kit with a charged phone cable, blanket, flashlight, gloves, water, and snacks.
If the car starts to skid, ease off the accelerator, avoid slamming the brakes, and steer gently in the direction you want the car to go. If the vehicle has anti-lock brakes, press the pedal firmly and keep steering rather than pumping it. Once the tires regain traction, straighten out and slow to a speed that suits the road.
Final Thoughts on Crashes on Icy Roads
On days when freezing rain or heavy snow is in the forecast, the safest option is to postpone the trip or leave extra time. A crash on ice can happen in seconds, but a few simple habits and a clear plan for what to do afterward make the aftermath far easier to manage. Families who drive snowy Upper Midwest roads all winter can keep this plan in mind for the season ahead.
