Four-way stop intersections are one of the most misunderstood and accident-prone areas on Michigan roads. When two or more drivers arrive at the same time, it’s not always clear who has the right of way and split-second decisions can lead to serious crashes. If you’ve been involved in a 4-way stop accident, figuring out who’s at fault can be confusing, especially when each driver claims the other was to blame. Understanding Michigan’s stop sign laws and how fault is determined is critical if you want to protect your rights, deal with insurance properly, or consider a lawsuit. If you’re unsure where to begin, speaking with a car accident attorney experienced in Michigan traffic laws can make all the difference in how your case moves forward.
Understanding 4-Way Stop Rules in Michigan
At a 4-way stop, every driver is required to come to a complete stop before proceeding. Michigan traffic law follows a basic right-of-way hierarchy that’s designed to keep intersections orderly and safe. However, confusion often arises when drivers arrive at the intersection at nearly the same time or fail to follow proper stop-and-go procedures.
Here are the key rules all Michigan drivers are expected to follow at a 4-way stop:
- First come, first go. The driver who stops first has the right to proceed first.
- Yield to the right. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
- Straight over turning. If two drivers arrive head-to-head and one is turning left, the left-turning driver must yield to the one going straight.
- When in doubt, yield. Defensive driving, yielding even if you technically have the right of way, can prevent crashes when another driver makes a mistake.
While these rules may seem simple, real-life intersection accidents are rarely that clean. When drivers make assumptions or rush through an intersection, crashes happen and the legal aftermath can quickly get complicated.
Who Has the Right of Way at a 4-Way Stop?
Right-of-way decisions at a 4-way stop depend on the sequence of arrival and each driver’s intended movement. While the rules are straightforward in theory, they often get misinterpreted or ignored in practice especially when drivers make assumptions about who’s going next.
Use the table below to understand who legally has the right of way in the most common scenarios:
| 🛑 Situation | ✅ Who Has the Right of Way? |
|---|---|
| One car arrives before the others | That vehicle goes first |
| Two cars arrive at the same time, side by side | Driver on the right goes first |
| Two opposing cars arrive at the same time, both going straight | Both may proceed at the same time |
| One car turning left, one going straight | Vehicle going straight has the right of way |
| All four cars arrive at once | Yield to the vehicle on your right and proceed with caution |
| Any confusion or hesitation | Yield to avoid an accident |
Misjudging the right of way is one of the leading causes of crashes at 4-way stops in Michigan. That’s why it’s important to always pause, assess, and proceed only when it’s clearly your turn.
Common Scenarios That Lead to Intersection Crashes
Even when drivers think they’re following the rules, small mistakes or miscommunications at 4-way stops can lead to major accidents. These intersections rely on driver cooperation, good judgment, and timing, three things that often fall apart under stress or distraction.
Here are the most common scenarios that cause crashes at 4-way stops in Michigan:
- Simultaneous arrival confusion
Two vehicles stop at the same time, and both believe they have the right of way leading to a collision in the center of the intersection. - Rolling stops (“California stops”)
A driver slows down but doesn’t fully stop, assuming no one else is coming only to collide with a law-abiding motorist. - Left turns across oncoming traffic
Drivers misjudge how fast the opposing vehicle is traveling or wrongly assume it’s turning, leading to dangerous angle crashes. - Distracted driving
Cell phone use, adjusting controls, or looking away from the road causes a driver to miss another vehicle entering the intersection. - Impatience or aggressive driving
A driver “jumps” their turn, either misunderstanding the order or simply refusing to wait. - Poor visibility or unclear signage
Obstructed views or faded stop lines can lead to misjudged timing or missed stops especially at night or in bad weather.
Each of these situations complicates the question of fault. If the other driver made any of these mistakes, you may be able to prove they were negligent even if they claim otherwise.
How Fault Is Determined in a 4-Way Stop Accident
In Michigan, fault in a 4-way stop accident isn’t always obvious and it doesn’t come down to who thinks they had the right of way. Insurance adjusters and, if necessary, the courts will look at the facts, evidence, and testimony to determine who violated traffic laws or failed to drive safely under the circumstances.
Here’s how fault is typically determined:
- Traffic laws and right-of-way rules
Violating the basic rules of 4-way stops (e.g., failing to yield, running the stop sign) can make a driver clearly liable. - Eyewitness statements
Independent witnesses can be crucial in confirming who entered the intersection first or whether someone failed to stop. - Police reports
Officers often make an initial determination of fault based on statements, physical evidence, and traffic citations. - Dash cam or surveillance footage
Video evidence can help confirm timing, speed, and who entered the intersection improperly. - Vehicle damage location
The angle and point of impact may support one version of events over another—for example, a front-end vs. side-impact crash. - Driver admissions
If one party admits fault at the scene (“I thought it was my turn”), that can be used as evidence later.
It’s important to remember that even when fault seems obvious to you, the legal system relies on what can be proven. Without evidence, it often becomes one driver’s word against the other’s making documentation essential.
What Evidence Can Help Prove Fault?
The outcome of a 4-way stop accident claim often hinges on the quality and clarity of the evidence. Because drivers frequently give conflicting accounts of what happened, the more documentation you have, the stronger your case will be especially when dealing with insurance companies or preparing a lawsuit.
Below is a breakdown of the most useful types of evidence and how they help establish fault:
| 📂 Type of Evidence | 🔍 Why It Matters | 👤 Who Can Gather It |
|---|---|---|
| Police report | Includes initial fault findings and citations | Law enforcement |
| Eyewitness statements | Neutral account of who stopped first or ran the sign | You or police |
| Dash cam footage | Objective visual proof of timing and vehicle movement | You or other drivers |
| Photos of the scene | Shows position of vehicles, damage, signs, and road markings | You (take them immediately) |
| Vehicle damage analysis | Helps show direction, speed, and point of impact | Insurance adjuster or expert |
| Traffic camera footage | Captures crash sequence if intersection is monitored | Police or city officials |
| Your own statement (written) | Can clarify your recollection while it’s still fresh | You (write it down ASAP) |
Gathering this evidence early is key. Even if police respond to the crash, don’t rely on them alone. Take your own photos, talk to witnesses, and get checked out medically even if you don’t feel hurt right away.
Can You Be Partially at Fault at a 4-Way Stop?
Yes. Under Michigan’s comparative fault law, you can still recover compensation for your injuries even if you were partially at fault for the crash as long as you were not more than 50% responsible.
This becomes especially relevant in 4-way stop accidents, where both drivers may have made mistakes. For example:
- If you rolled through your stop but the other driver also failed to yield…
- If you were distracted but the other driver was speeding or ran the sign…
In these situations, fault may be shared. Here’s how it works:
- If you’re less than 50% at fault:
You can recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. (Example: You’re 20% at fault, so a $100,000 settlement becomes $80,000.) - If you’re 51% or more at fault:
You’re barred from recovering non-economic damages (like pain and suffering), but you may still receive certain No-Fault PIP benefits.
This is why proving fault clearly matters even small percentages can affect what you’re legally allowed to recover. Insurance companies will often argue you were partially at fault to minimize payouts, so having an experienced attorney on your side can make a major difference.
What to Do After a Crash at a 4-Way Stop
The moments after a crash can be chaotic, but what you do next can have a major impact on your health, your legal case, and your ability to recover compensation. Here’s a step-by-step guide for what to do after a 4-way stop accident in Michigan:
Step-by-Step: What to Do After a 4-Way Stop Crash
- Stay calm and check for injuries.
Make sure everyone is safe and call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt. - Do not move your vehicle unless it’s dangerous to leave it.
The position of the cars can help prove fault, take photos first if it’s safe. - Call the police.
Always file a police report, even if the damage seems minor. It creates an official record. - Exchange information.
Get the other driver’s name, contact info, insurance, and license plate number. - Look for witnesses.
Ask nearby drivers or pedestrians if they saw what happened, and get their contact info. - Take photos and video.
Document the scene, vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, signs, and road conditions. - Avoid admitting fault.
Even a simple “I’m sorry” can be misinterpreted later, stick to the facts. - Get medical attention.
Some injuries don’t show up right away. See a doctor as soon as possible and keep records. - Contact your insurance company.
Report the accident, but be cautious with recorded statements, especially if you’re injured. - Talk to a car accident lawyer.
If there’s any dispute about fault or you were hurt, legal guidance can protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
When to Talk to a Lawyer After a 4-Way Stop Accident
Not every fender bender requires a lawyer, but if there’s any dispute about who caused the crash, it’s wise to speak with an attorney as early as possible. This is especially true at 4-way stops, where fault often comes down to one driver’s word against the other’s.
If your accident happened in Mid-Michigan, working with a local car crash lawyer who knows the Lansing area can give you a major advantage. They understand how local roads, intersections, and even police reporting practices may affect your case.
You should strongly consider contacting a lawyer if:
- You were injured or are experiencing pain after the crash
- The other driver is blaming you or lying about what happened
- The police report doesn’t accurately reflect the events
- Your insurance claim was denied or underpaid
- You’re being asked to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer
- You have questions about how Michigan’s No-Fault or comparative fault laws apply to your case
At The Clark Law Office, we handle every car accident case personally, you’ll work directly with Matthew R. Clark, not a team of case managers or associates. We’ll investigate the intersection, gather the evidence, and fight back against any attempt to shift blame unfairly.
FAQ: Fault and Crashes at 4-Way Stops in Michigan
Who is usually at fault in a 4-way stop accident?
The driver who fails to follow Michigan’s right-of-way rules—such as running the stop sign, failing to yield to the vehicle on the right, or turning left in front of oncoming traffic—is typically found at fault.
What if both drivers say they had the right of way?
When it’s one driver’s word against the other, evidence becomes crucial. Police reports, dash cam footage, and eyewitness statements can help establish who entered the intersection improperly.
Can both drivers be partially at fault at a 4-way stop?
Yes. Under Michigan’s comparative fault system, both drivers can share responsibility. You can still recover compensation if you are less than 51% at fault, but your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Is a police report required for a 4-way stop accident?
It’s not legally required for minor crashes, but it’s highly recommended. A police report creates an official record and may include the officer’s opinion on who caused the accident.
Can I file a claim if the other driver lied about the crash?
Yes. If you have supporting evidence—like video footage or witness statements—you can challenge false claims and still pursue compensation.
Should I talk to a lawyer before speaking to the insurance company?
Absolutely. Insurance adjusters may try to get you to say something that hurts your claim. A lawyer can protect your rights and handle communication on your behalf.
