Failing To Report An Accident Can Also Create Challenges For Your Insurance Claim
Finally, failing to report an accident promptly can lead to difficulties with insurance. Without an official record of where and when the accident happened, you could struggle to secure the coverage you deserve.
There are other ways to prove that you are entitled to coverage. However, when dealing with one or more insurance companies, it is best to avoid unnecessary challenges if at all possible.
Have More Questions About Your Car Accident
You deserve to focus on your health and recovery after a car accident. Hassling with insurers and legal paperwork can be exhausting. You do not have to fight for compensation alone. You have the right to hire an attorney who can assume all the responsibilities of your case.
We can investigate the cause of your accident, gather evidence of another partys negligence, and fight for fair compensation. Get a free consultation with the attorneys at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. Call us today at .
We want to put our knowledge, experience, and resources to work for you.
Know How To Contact The Officer Who Filed Your Report
After the accident report is filed, make sure you get a card and/or direct contact information from the police officer who filed the report.
Often after an accident, you may only remember details after you’ve rested and calmed down. These details can be very important, especially if the car accident claim snowballs into a lawsuit.
If you find you have remembered some key details after the accident report is filed, contact the police officer and see if you can add these details to the accident report.
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Why Is It Important That I Call The Police
There are a few reasons why calling police is a good idea after a car accident, no matter how minor or serious it seems. These include:
- Police presence diffuses bad attitudes and behaviors.
- Police are trained to help manage high-stress situations.
- If there are injuries, police can help until EMTs arrive.
- If there are factors like alcohol or drugs involved, police know how to secure the individual and make sure everyone is safe.
- If the accident is a hit-and-run, police officers need to be called to the scene to start gathering evidence.
- If you file insurance or personal injury claims, police can help verify your statements and may be called to testify if the case goes to trial.
- A formal police report can validate your claims to insurance companies who may minimize or reject property damage claims.
- A police report can sometimes expedite the insurance claims process.
If you call the police and they come out but do not file a report, or they do not come to the accident scene, you can file a report on your own with the local police precinct.
To Access Fast Medical Care
Even before contacting personal injury lawyers like The Tinker Law Firm PLLC, calling the police can be crucial to benefit from fast and easily-accessible medical care. Police can generally provide basic first aid to those in need and also arrange for ambulances and EMTs to arrive promptly.
Without law enforcement at the accident scene, you might need to make your own way to the emergency room, potentially delaying how quickly youre able to access the help you need.
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How To Pay For A Car Accident Without Involving Insurance
You may choose not to make an insurance claim. This could be because you want to cover the costs of a repair yourself, you want to protect your no claims discount , or you want to avoid your premiums going up.
However, even if you dont make a claim you should still report the accident to your insurer.
Should I Call The Police After A Fender
A fender-bender is a minor accident that usually does not involve injuries. Sometimes, it doesnt even involve noticeable damage. So should you call the police? Our recommendation is yes. Even a minor accident can result in property damage and an insurance claim. It is best to call the police so there is documentation of what happened. Also, if another party involved gets antsy or aggressive, a police officer can diffuse and control the situation.
Sometimes with fender-benders, police may just tell you to exchange information, and may not write up a formal report. Depending on the situation, they may or may not issue a citation if someone was breaking the law. If you are told to exchange information, here is what you should obtain:
- Name, address, and phone number
- Name and phone number of their car insurance company
- Insurance policy number
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The Police Investigation Might Help Settle Disputes Over Fault
Rarely do motorists involved in an accident completely agree over who was at fault. It might seem obvious to you that the other driver caused the accident. For instance, you hit your brakes because a loose dog ran across the road and got rear-ended by the person behind you.
In your mind, the other driver was at fault, as it was their responsibility to notice that you had stopped and braked accordingly. But the other driver might claim that you were reckless for suddenly locking up your brakes in the middle of the road or even dispute the presence of the animal.
Situations such as these can get messy fast, especially when both drivers insurance companies get involved. A police investigation and report can cut through the mess and keep the other driver from unfairly shifting fault to you.
Reasons To Call The Police After A Motor Vehicle Accident
Although it isnt strictly required that you call the police from the scene of the accident in either Massachusetts or New Hampshire, it is generally best to make the call. Police will not always respond to the scene of a minor car accident. However, even in the case of a fender bender, there is no harm in making the call and letting police decide whether it warrants a trip to the scene.
Some reasons that it is to your advantage to report a more serious car accident immediately include:
There are also some limited situations in which a call to the police is required. For example, you must call the police if you damage someone elses property and are unable to locate the owner. The same is true if you injure an animal.
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Should I Call The Police For A Small Or Minor Car Accident
Under certain circumstances, the law requires you to call the police from an accident scene and file a police report. In other cases, you may not have to notify the police but that doesnt mean you shouldnt. Notifying the police even in a minor car accident can expedite the process, identify who was at fault, and help you in the future should you need to file a personal injury lawsuit. If youre involved in a small car accident, know what to do and when to call the police.
Car Accident Police Reports
In cases involving injuries, substantial damage to the vehicles, or motor vehicle law violations, the officer will prepare a police report in connection with the crash. Make sure to get the name and badge number of the officer and the police agency that the officer represents so you can get a copy of the accident report after it’s written . Get the report number if it’s available. You might have to pay a small fee to get the report, but it’s worth it. Everyone involved in a car insurance claim and a car accident lawsuit relies heavily on the police report.
Police reports typically document any physical evidence at the scene of an accident and any witness statements. The report will list what traffic citations, if any, an officer issued and maybe even the officer’s opinion about who caused the accident. In other words, police reports are powerful evidence that can help you speed up the insurance claims process or win your lawsuit in court.
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When You Should Call The Police After A Car Accident
If you have any doubt about whether you should call the police after a car crash, it’s better to err on the side of caution and file a police report. Most states require drivers to call the police in certain situations, including:
- when anyone is injured, or
- property damage exceeds the state’s threshold.
You should call the police when you think the other driver is at fault for the accident or might have committed a traffic violation.
Am I Required To Call The Cops After A Car Accident
The actions you take in the hours or even days after a motor vehicle accident can make a huge difference in the compensation that you receive. After a car accident, in the state of New Jersey, it is required to call the police if the accident results in a death or injury, or if the accident causes $500 plus in damage to the property owned by either party.
If you arent sure what $500 of property damage looks like, it is best to call the police anyway, since a lot of car repairs are costly and could end up costing you $500 or more. You must call the police as quickly as possible, and if you cant access a phone, its important to ask the other driver or witness to call.
Car accidents can be reported to:
- The local police department
- Nearest county police office
- New Jersey state police
It is not legally required to contact your insurance company, but you will want to do so quickly so that you can get the proper coverage for your car accident. Most insurance companies have strict policies that require you to report accidents soon after they occur, which is why its recommended to contact them as soon as possible.
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A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
After you notify the police, be sure to notify your insurance company that you were involved in a car accident. The law might not require it, but your insurance policy almost certainly does.
Dealing with the police and insurance companies can be stressful and intimidating. You might want to hire a lawyer to do it for you. Learn more about how an attorney can help with your car accident claim. When you’re ready, Nolo’s directory can help you find the right auto accident lawyer.
Take The Right Steps After A Car Accident
Do you really know what to do after a car accident? You do now. You know when to call 911, the police, and what to say to others after the accident.
Hopefully, you wont need this information, but youre fully prepared to handle a car accident.
Be sure to visit the blog for more lifestyle tips.
Trevor Anderson wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. to get access to the top freelancers in the world.
Stamford Advocate and Hearst partners may earn revenue when readers click affiliate links in this article.
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Your Car Accident Injuries May Worsen Over Time
Have you ever hurt or strained yourself, but didnt really feel it until the next day? The same thing can happen after a minor car accident. Even if you feel fine, its still a good idea to get a car accident Police report after an accident. Also without a car accident Police report, the at-fault drivers insurance company may refuse to cover the costs of your medical bills.
A Quick Overview For Our Spanish Readers So You’ve Had An Accident What Next
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Not Calling The Police After The Accident
It is very important that the accident is documented and, in the event that you are not at fault for the accident, that the officer confirm that determination. This goes a LONG way with the insurance companies, and will help you in your dealings with them. You would be surprised how often a person will hit someone, persuade the victim not to call the police , then later change their story to make the accident sound like the victim’s fault.
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- Disclaimer
Disclaimer: The cases on this page are illustrative of the matters handled by the firm and do not include all results achieved by the firm. The outcome of a particular case cant be predicated by a lawyers or firms past results. Each case is different, and the value of a case can depend on a number of factors, such as: the facts concerning liability in the case, potential liability defenses in the case, economic and non-economic damages in the case, the legal complexity of the case, whether the defendant was insured or self insured, the available insurance coverage in the case, and whether the case was resolved through negotiation, at trial, or in arbitration. *Most cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. Some cases, however, are handled on an hourly or project basis depending on case circumstances and facts.
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Why You Should Always Call The Police After A Car Crash
Knowing what to do after a car crash can be a challenge. Emotions run high, and injuries or property damage may cause you to overlook some key steps in protecting you and your family.
Thats why its a good idea to always call the police after a car crash. They provide assistance to you and other drivers while also providing the evidence you need when filing a claim with insurance companies
Getting A Copy Of Your Accident Report In Pittsburgh
You can also obtain copies of the police and accident reports by requesting copies online from the Pennsylvania State Police. You can request a copy approximately two weeks after your accident, and you can expect to pay a $22 fee for each copy of the accident report.
Alternatively, you can mail in your request and include a money order or certified check to cover the cost of the accident report fee. Fill out and print out SP 7-0015 Application to Obtain Copy of Police Crash Report to send your request by mail.
Whether or not your car accident is severe enough to require an accident report, it may be in everyones best interests to do so. If you contact police. You are also setting yourself up to obtain valuable evidence that can be used to support your case against the liable party when you seek compensation for your losses.
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Your Navarre Personal Injury Lawyer Needs The Police Report
When the police officer arrives on the scene, hes going to draft something called a police report. This report has all the essential information about your crash. This information is vital to your case down the road.
Some of these things include:
- Police reports will contain important information such as:
- Name, license and insurance company information for both drivers
- Name and contact information for witnesses
- Statements made by both drivers
- Witness statements
Even if your Navarre injury lawyer can get this stuff on his own, its going to take time and money. This is time and money he could have used to help your case in other ways.
Not Reporting A Car Accident To The Police May Be Illegal In Your State Or Result In Fines
Laws associated with car accidents vary from state to state. Some states will require you to report an accident that involves any injury, even a minor injury. Other states will require you to report an accident if the damages are more than a specific amount, usually $1,000+. So to be on the safe side, you should always report a car accident to the Police, even minor car accidents.
Different states also have laws requiring you to report all accidents to the Department of Motor Vehicles . Failing to report your accident can result in fines and even the loss of your drivers license.
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The Insurance Company May Request A Police Report
Even if you are not legally required to report the crash to police, your insurance company may still request an accident report when you file a claim. This official record is especially useful in cases where there was significant damage, and it may also help to speed up the claims process. If there is no report, you may find yourself in a he said versus she said tug of war. To protect yourself and your legal interests, it is always a good idea to contact the police.