Reporting To Your Insurance Broker
Depending on the circumstances, you may wonder: do I really have to report the accident? As previously mentioned, you should always call your insurance broker first. As a licensed professional, your broker can review your coverage and discuss all of your possible options. If the total damage of the accident is less than $2,000, you are not required to report the accident or file an insurance claim. However, there may be reasons why this is a good idea, and your broker can guide you with your decision.
Your insurance broker can help you through the entire claim processThey can answer any questions you may have, review your coverage options, and even transfer you directly to an claims adjuster if you decide to file a claim.
In the event of an after-hours emergency situation, most insurance companies have a 24 hour emergency claim service. If needed, you can find your providers emergency claim number in our BrokerLink Insurance Centre.
Whenever there is any doubt about the correct way to report an accident, contact your broker for assistance.
Should You Wait For The Police To Arrive
If you call the police after a minor car accident, it might take an hour or more for an officer to arrive. It’s important to wait for them. While you are waiting, you should:
- assess the situation
- watch what you say to the other driver and anyone else at the scene.
Once a police officer arrives, only talk to the officer about the specifics of your accident. Provide the information that the officer requests, but say no more. Remember, any statement you make could end up in the police report and be used against you in your insurance claim or in court.
How Can I Get A Police Report After A Car Accident In Prince Georges County Md
After a car accident in Prince Georges County, victims can get a copy of a police report by going online, visiting the Prince Georges County Police Records office, or sending a mailed request. If you have difficulty with any retrieval method, our Baltimore car accident lawyers can help you obtain a copy of your police report.
Recommended Reading: How To Retrieve A Police Report
What Happens If I Dont Report An Accident
All car insurance policies in Ontario require you to report any accidents with damage exceeding $2,000 , or any of the situations discussed above. Some people are hesitant to do this because they do not want the accident to count against them on their record. They may also fear that the insurance company will raise their rates because of the accident.
Failure to report an accident may result in your insurance company cancelling your policy or refusing to renew it at the end of its term. Even worse, failure to report an accident as required by law could result in a charge of leaving the scene of an accident. This could result in higher insurance rates, fines or even jail time.
Exchange Contact And Insurance Information
Contact and insurance information should be exchanged with all other parties involved. Collect information about the collision and if possible, take pictures.
The Collision Worksheet Form will help you to remember the types of information youll need to record at the scene. Keep it in your glove compartment along with a spare pen.
If the driver of a vehicle is incapable of providing the information required, and there is a passenger capable, the passenger should provide that information.
If someone refuses to provide their information, document the licence plate number, vehicle description and driver description before they leave the scene.
After you have exchanged information with all parties involved:
- If your vehicle is not drivable – you must make arrangements for it to be removed from the road otherwise, a police officer may make those arrangements, and your vehicle will be deemed abandoned.
- If your vehicle is drivable – you can leave the collision scene.
If the collision involved an unattended vehicle or other property, you must notify the owner of any damage you may have caused. If you are unable to locate the owner, you must securely attach your name, address, phone number, drivers licence number and licence plate number to the damaged vehicle.
Recommended Reading: What Are The Requirements To Join The Police Force
What To Do If There Is No Police Report
It is in your best interest to call 911 and report a car accident as soon as possible after the collision. If you do not have a police report, you can still file a claim against the at-fault driver. You can use the following pieces of evidence to prove your right to compensation.
- Statements from witnesses who were present at the scene of the accident
- Expert witness testimony and recreations from accident reconstruction specialists
- Recordings from surveillance cameras, traffic cameras, and other video devices
- Medical records and other documents that detail your injuries and treatment
You should also contact a Portland car accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney will have experience handling claims similar to yours, including crashes that do not have an accompanying police report. He or she will be able to identify potential challenges in filing your claim and take steps to prove the other drivers liability.
After the accident, seek medical attention and save all documents related to your treatment. Once you receive treatment, contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney will review your claim and identify your optimal path to recovery.
Free
How Long After A Car Accident Can I File A Police Report
Drivers involved in a crash that caused an injury, a fatality, or significant property damage usually have to file a police report immediately after the accident.
In California, for example, drivers who have been in a crash that caused injuries or a fatality only have 24 hours to file a written report with the California Highway Patrol, or with the local police department.1
If the driver is incapacitated from the crash, a vehicle occupant can do it on the drivers behalf.2
If a police officer responds to the crash and creates a report of the incident, then drivers do not need to file their own. However, drivers may still have to file an accident report.
Read Also: How To Become A Police Officer In The Us
What Happens If The Police Wont Come To The Scene
You might call the police, and they might not come to the scene of the accident. Police may not come to the scene of the accident if the accident didnt cause major injuries or if the property damage was small. Police officers might also avoid coming to the scene in severe conditions like a whiteout blizzard.
If the police wont send an officer to the scene, then you can typically file a police report at the police station. Alternatively, some police departments allow you to file a police report online.
Am I Required To File A Police Report
If youre in a car accident, state law requires you to file a police report. Instead of waiting multiple days to get this done, its in your best interest to call law enforcement officials immediately and get a report on the scene. Its essential to file a police report in situations where:
- Property damage exceeds $1,000
- A person was killed
- More than two cars were involved
The only exception to the law regarding filing a police report after an accident is if youre in a single-vehicle accident on personal property, such as a driveway or in your garage.
Read Also: How To Hire Police For Events
The Differences Between A Police Report And An Insurance Claim
What are the differences between a police report and an insurance claim? The most basic answer to this is that they are both completely different processes that need to be followed through.
We have taken a look into the police reports above and they need to be the first priority after an accident has happened. Then you can move onto notifying your insurance company.
When you take out your car insurance you are legally bound to inform them of any road accidents. This is true whether you were the perpetrator or the victim. Even if you dont plan on filing an insurance claim, they will still need to be informed that the accident occurred.
If you are planning to file an insurance claim, it is a good idea to get checked by a doctor as soon as possible. This will help speed up the process.
Kalikhman & Rayz Are Ready To Help You
Reporting a car accident is the first step in reaching a proper resolution, especially if you have property damage or a personal injury. Whether you have a severe injury after a car accident, a work injury, or are a victim of medical malpractice, were here to help you.
If youre looking for a DUI defense lawyer in Philadelphia, PA, and the surrounding suburbs, we know DUI law and can help you get past this situation. We understand how difficult it can be for DUI offenders to face the consequences of their actions. Even if its only your first DUI offense, seeking legal consultation is essential for representing yourself properly.
- 1051 County Line Road, Suite A Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
- 141 E Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19124
Read Also: How To File Credit Card Fraud With Police
How The Shirvanian Law Firm Can Help You
If a car accident leaves you with property damage and injuries, a car accident lawyer from The Shirvanian Law Firm can help you with filing a police report after leaving the scene of the accident. You can rely on The Shirvanian Law Firm to protect your legal interests and ensure you receive the appropriate compensation under the other drivers insurance policy or your uninsured motorist coverage.
How To File A Police Report After An Accident
Typically, police reports are filed at the scene of the accident. You call 9-1-1 or a non-emergency hotline after the accident, and a police officer is dispatched to the scene of the accident.
The police officer will collect your information and then ask you to fill out a police report. That police report will need to include various details about the accident . Then, the police officer will collect the report and sent it to the department.
If a driving infraction has occurred, then the police officer may issue one or more tickets to the drivers involved.
Recommended Reading: How To Report To Police Online
When Should I Contact The Police About My Auto Accident Will They File The Mv
The right time to notify the police about your auto accident is as soon as it happens.
You should never leave the scene of the crash without notifying law enforcement and waiting for an officers arrival . Doing so can lead to a number of legal problems down the road.
When the police officer arrives, he or she will complete MV-104A and file it shortly thereafter. Ask the officer for a copy of the MV-104A report or instructions for accessing it online.
If for some reason the officers choose not to respond to your accident , you may then be responsible for contacting the local law enforcement office directly and filing an MV-104A report as soon as possible, either in person or by telephone.
Days To File With The Missouri Department Of Revenue
Filing a report with the Missouri Department of Revenue is not the same as filing a police report. If you filed a police report right away, the police will have submitted a report with the Department of Revenue for you. Otherwise, it will be your responsibility to submit this report within 30 days of your accident. Drivers must legally report car accidents to the Missouri Department of Revenue if it involves injuries, death, more than $500 in damages, an uninsured driver, or a hit-and-run.
You may visit your local Department of Revenue to file your report in person. You will need to fill out and submit an official motor vehicle accident report. The law expects you to file this report if the crash happened in Missouri, happened within the last 12 months, and if someone in the accident did not have insurance. Although you have 30 days to file this report, you should do so as soon as possible. You may have to give a reason for delaying your report, such as incapacitating injuries.
Read Also: Can Anyone Obtain A Copy Of A Police Report
California Guide To Filing A Police Report After A Car Accident
When a car accident occurs, California law requires you to file an accident report with the police department and the California Department of Motor Vehicles . Failing to do so may result in an offense that can carry financial penalties and jail time.
Understanding the steps to file an accident report helps you comply with state law and ensures you have evidence of your accident when negotiating your settlement with the other drivers insurer.
An experienced car accident lawyer at The Shirvanian Law Firm can help you file a police report after an accident and use the official report to file a claim against the other drivers insurance company for maximum compensation.
Disability Profiles Supported In Our Website
- Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
- Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
- Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
- ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
- Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
- Keyboard Navigation Profile : this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as M , H , F , B , and G to jump to specific elements.
You May Like: How Do I Find Police Reports For Free
Filing A Police Report Doesnt Mean Youre Making A Claim
Its important to understand that filing a police report is not the same as filing an insurance claim. When you file a police report, youre:
- Creating an official record of your accident
- Creating a foundation for further investigation into your accident
- Recording an official statement regarding your experience of the event
If your vehicle is damaged, youre injured, or your property was damaged, you may also need to consider filing a claim. If youve been injured, a car accident lawyer can best help you file a claim, meet the necessary deadlines, and help obtain the best possible result on your behalf. Remember, if you have any medical bills, lost time at work or other costs stemming from your injuries, you shouldnt have to pay for these if the accident wasnt your fault! An experienced car accident attorney can help you get financial compensation.
Accessing A Police Report
You can access a police report by going to the police department or sending a request via mail. If you were the victim of a personal injury incident, you will likely receive a verification slip from the police letting you know that the police report has been filed. You can bring that along with a form of identification and payment to cover the police report request fee to the police department to access the police report on your personal injury incident.
Also Check: How To Join Military Police
Do Contact A Car Accident Lawyer
You have only a limited time to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit after a traffic accident in Illinois. You should not delay contacting a lawyer.
At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we offer initial consultations that are free, confidential and carry no obligations. The bottom line is that we want you to get legal help right away.
When you engage a car accident lawyer after a car wreck, that lawyer will work hard to protect your interests. No one else will fill this role. Even your insurance company is looking out for its bottom line first as it determines a settlement for your claim.
Your attorney can investigate your case, file all necessary paperwork and seek compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and more.
For more information, call Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., today toll free or contact us through our convenient online form. Were ready to help you.
Donât Miss: How To Report Someone To The Police Anonymously
Do You Need A Lawyer Even If You Dont Go To Trial
You dont need a lawyer, but you should still have one. Lawyers do not go to trial in most cases. In fact, in most cases, the accident is settled through negotiations.
However, negotiating with the opposing insurance company is generally a bad idea. Insurance companies know what to say and do to save money. It is important to have an expert who knows how to deal with insurance companies on your side.
That does not mean that the lawyer does not file suit for you, however. Filing suit puts substantial more pressure on the opposing insurance company and can show them you mean business. Remember, insurance companies can be aggressive, and train their employees to give you less money than they should.
Filing suit is just another way to push them to give you what you deserve. Still filing suit is a complicated process, and it is important to have an expert on your side when you are going against experts at the insurance company.
Furthermore, attorneys have been through this process before, so they know exactly what to say to the opposing insurance company to get you the money you need.
Recommended Reading: What Software Do Police Use To Track Cell Phones