When winter hits Michigan, it hits hard. Heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, and fast-moving storms make winter road maintenance not just important—but essential. As plows and salt trucks increase their activity to keep roads passable, drivers find themselves sharing lanes with some of the largest and most complex vehicles operating on our roadways.

But when a collision involving a snowplow or salt truck occurs, the legal landscape becomes significantly more complicated than that of a typical car crash. These vehicles may be operated by state or local governments, protected by forms of governmental immunity, or contracted through private companies—each scenario carrying different legal implications. Michigan’s No-Fault system also plays a major role in determining what benefits are available immediately after a crash.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, our attorneys bring more than 50 years of combined experience navigating complicated roadway, municipal, and maintenance-vehicle litigation. Clients turn to us when clarity matters most—because we provide exactly that. Our firm’s philosophy is simple: your rights first. Every client receives the full support of our entire team, reflecting the collaborative and integrity-driven culture that has defined our office for decades.

Understanding Snowplows & Salt Trucks in Michigan

Who Operates These Vehicles?

Throughout Michigan, winter road maintenance is the responsibility of multiple entities:

• State of Michigan (Michigan Department of Transportation)
• County road commissions
• Local municipalities, including city and township public works departments
• Private contractors, hired to supplement public operations

Because liability varies depending on who operates the vehicle, identifying the responsible entity is a critical first step after any maintenance-vehicle crash.

Their Legal Duty on the Road

Snowplow and salt truck operators, like all drivers, must use reasonable care. But winter maintenance vehicles present unique challenges:

• Significant blind spots on both sides and behind the vehicle
• Wide, sweeping turns that extend into adjacent lanes
• Slow operation, often necessary during active plowing
• Snow spray that can instantly reduce visibility for nearby drivers
• Raised or lowered blades that can cause serious vehicle damage

Their size and function require greater vigilance—and when an operator fails to uphold that duty, collisions can happen in an instant.

Michigan No-Fault Benefits After a Maintenance Vehicle Crash

What No-Fault Covers

In most cases, injured drivers and passengers can rely on the following protections:

• Medical bills — including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and long-term treatment
• Rehabilitation — covering ongoing therapy and recovery services
• Wage loss, up to the statutory limits
• Attendant care and household replacement services, such as help with daily living tasks or hiring someone to complete chores you can no longer perform

These benefits can be essential after collisions with large maintenance vehicles, which often cause more severe injuries due to their size and weight.

What No-Fault Does Not Cover

Although No-Fault provides critical support, it does not pay for everything. Drivers often need additional legal help because:

• Full vehicle repairs are not covered when the plow or salt truck operator is at fault
• Pain and suffering damages are not available unless the injury meets Michigan’s threshold for serious impairment or permanent disfigurement
• Damages beyond Mini-Tort limits cannot be recovered through No-Fault alone

These limitations are especially important in winter maintenance cases, where vehicle damage is often extensive and medical needs can grow over time.

Can You Sue a Snowplow or Salt Truck Operator?

Governmental Immunity Basics

Under Michigan law:

• Government employees are generally protected when performing governmental functions,
• Snow removal—including plowing and salting—nearly always qualifies as a governmental function,
• But immunity is not absolute.

Whether immunity applies depends on the specific actions of the operator and the circumstances of the crash.

Exceptions That Allow Lawsuits

A claim against a government entity or operator may proceed when:

• The operator’s behavior constitutes gross negligence, meaning conduct so reckless it shows a disregard for whether an injury results
• The operator acts outside the scope of employment, such as using the vehicle for unauthorized purposes
• The government vehicle exception applies, which allows certain lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage caused by government-owned vehicles

Understanding these exceptions requires careful legal analysis—something LSM’s team is well-equipped to handle.

When Private Contractors Are Involved

Many Michigan counties and municipalities hire private companies to supplement plowing and salting operations.

Unlike government agencies:

• Private contractors do not receive the same immunity protections, and
• Their employees can be held liable under traditional negligence standards.

This often results in more straightforward claims—but only after the responsible party is correctly identified.

Gathering Evidence in a Plow/Salt Truck Case

What Evidence Is Crucial

To build an effective claim, LSM gathers key forms of evidence, such as:

• Police reports documenting the crash
• Photos and videos of the scene, vehicle damage, and road conditions
• Weather and visibility reports at the time of the collision
• Maintenance logs for the plow or salt truck involved
• GPS logs and route sheets showing the vehicle’s movements and assignments
• Dashcam or surveillance footage, when available

These materials help clarify what happened, why it happened, and who is responsible.

How LSM Helps Build the Case

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, clients don’t just get one lawyer—they get the full support of a team-based investigation, a hallmark of the firm’s culture. Our approach includes:

• Comprehensive accident reconstruction
• FOIA requests to government agencies for logs, GPS data, and training records
• Detailed analysis of road commission or municipal documentation
• Expert testimony, including engineering and maintenance professionals
• Review of vehicle data, such as speed, blade position, braking, and salting activity

What to Do Immediately After a Crash With a Snowplow or Salt Truck

Safety First

Before anything else, focus on getting yourself and others to safety:

• Move to safety if your vehicle is drivable and it’s safe to relocate
• Turn on hazard lights to make your vehicle visible to other drivers in low-visibility conditions
• Call 911 so medical responders and law enforcement can assess injuries and document the scene

Document Everything

Evidence is strongest in the moments right after a crash. Collect as much as you can:

• Photos of vehicle damage, including close-ups and wide-angle shots showing positioning of both vehicles
• Photos of the road, snow conditions, ice patches, plow blade position, and salt spread patterns
• Identification markers on the plow or salt truck, such as unit numbers or contractor logos
• Witness names and phone numbers — bystanders often leave quickly during storms
• Photos of any injuries, even if they seem minor

These details help establish visibility, weather patterns, and operator behavior—critical in winter maintenance cases where fault can be disputed.

Be Careful When Speaking With Insurance or Municipal Employees

After a crash with a snowplow or salter, you may receive calls from:

• Insurance adjusters
• Municipal risk managers
• County road commission representatives

When speaking with any of them:

• Provide basic facts only
• Do not admit fault, even casually (“I didn’t see him,” “I should have slowed down,” etc.)
• Do not minimize your injuries, since symptoms often worsen over time

Be especially cautious about recorded statements. Insurance companies—and government agencies—may use your early comments to reduce or deny your claim. Consulting with an attorney before giving any formal statement protects your rights.

Contact an Attorney Early

Winter maintenance cases move fast. Evidence disappears, weather changes, and municipal documentation can be overwritten. An experienced attorney helps:

• Protect your claim from procedural traps, particularly those involving governmental immunity
• Ensure timely preservation of municipal evidence, such as route sheets, GPS logs, and maintenance reports
• Prevent insurers or municipalities from shifting blame, a common tactic in plow and salter collisions

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, every case receives support from the entire legal team—reflecting the firm’s deeply rooted collaborative culture. This team-based approach is especially valuable in winter maintenance claims, where investigation, documentation, and legal strategy must all work in unison.

Winter Maintenance Vehicles Keep Roads Safe—but Accountability Still Matters.

Snowplows and salt trucks are essential for Michigan’s safety in winter, but crashes involving them are legally complex. Governmental immunity, private contractor liability, and Michigan's No-Fault system can make it difficult to understand your rights after an accident.

That’s why having an experienced, client-focused legal team matters. At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we are committed to clarity, transparency, and treating every client like family—values that have shaped our firm for decades. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

If you or someone you love was injured in a collision with a winter maintenance vehicle—government-operated or privately contracted—you need a knowledgeable legal team that understands Michigan’s unique liability laws. For more than 20 years, Metro Detroit families have trusted us to protect their rights and guide them through their toughest moments.

Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, Personal Injury Attorneys
📍 2695 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072
📞 248-584-1300
📞 Toll-Free: 1-855-LISS-LAW (1-855-547-7529)

Your consultation is always free.
Your story matters. And at LSM, your rights come first.