TRAVERSE CITY -- Car accidents happen all the time, especially during the winter months in Northern Michigan, but a new law could mean harsher punishments for those crashes.

It states that if a driver commits a moving violation causing a crash that seriously injures someone, they face a misdemeanor charge punishable by 93 days in jail, a $500 find, or both.

Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Al Schneider says a moving violation is a number of things, "It's crossing a center line, its failing to yield, speeding, following too close."

Schneider tells 7&4 News he doesn't expect a dramatic increase in his case load, but it will mean more cases to review.

Schneider says, "We're not going to change entirely how we do these cases. This is Northern Michigan if you hit a patch of black ice unexpectedly, it is not necessarily your fault."

Defense attorney Clarence Gomery says drivers should still be careful if they find themselves involved in a crash.

Gomery says, "If you do hurt someone, it is your best bet to use your rights to remain silent, to have counsel, and not to make statements that might incriminate you. Are police officers reading rights at the accident scene while writing police reports?"

As for what constitutes as a serious injury, Gomery says it is defined as a broken bone, internal injury, or laceration.

What do you think about this new law? Prosecutor Schneider is already reviewing an injury accident that happened on Cedar Run Road and Tilton Road Tuesday morning. Does think make you nervous to get behind the wheel of a car?