Collisions involving a vehicle turning left into a private driveway or business entrance are common on Michigan highways. Drivers leaving the travel lane to enter a driveway have a legal duty to ensure the turn can be made safely and provide adequate notice before changing direction.

Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 257.649a, a driver turning left at a location other than an intersection must yield the right-of-way to approaching traffic that constitutes an immediate hazard. Drivers must also signal before turning and ensure the maneuver can be made safely under MCL § 257.648.

A late turn signal does not relieve that responsibility. Even if you were lawfully passing in a marked passing zone and a car activated its signal only when you were already beside it, the car driver may be considered negligent for failing to check mirrors, blind spots, and surrounding traffic before turning.

Preserving evidence is essential. Document road markings, obtain the police report, save any dashcam footage, and collect witness information. Because Michigan uses comparative fault, insurers may attempt to assign partial blame, making detailed evidence especially important. Please contact us if you were injured in an accident for a free consultation at 231-486-6556.