Whenever you are involved in a car accident, the first and foremost thing that you should do is to call the police. It is required by law to report a car accident to the police in many states.
The reason behind this is that the police will be able to document the accident and collect evidence from the scene of the accident. This will be very helpful if you decide to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.
In this blog, we will focus on why it is important to report a car accident to the law enforcement agencies and insurance companies.
When should minor accidents be reported?
There are many types of automobile accidents, such as a fender bender, head-on collision, rear-end accident, T-bone collision, and others. Many people believe that only major accidents, like a head-on collision, should be reported to the police.
However, this is not the case. In many states, it is required by law to report all car accidents to the police, regardless of how minor they may seem.
In some states, it is essential to report an accident that has caused injuries to the passengers or the drivers. If crashes involve vehicle damage then that also needs to be reported if the damage is beyond a certain value such as above $1,000 or $2,500.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Philadelphia, it is important that you report the accident to the police. Many people choose not to do this because they believe that it is not necessary, or they fear that it will result in them getting a ticket.
However, failing to report an accident can have serious consequences. If you do not report an accident to the police, and the other driver does not have insurance, you will be responsible for paying for the repairs to your vehicle. If you are injured in the accident, you will also be responsible for paying your own medical bills.
It is important to remember that the police are not there to give you a ticket. They are there to document the accident and collect evidence. This evidence can be extremely helpful if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.
A Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer can help you to determine if you have a case and what evidence you will need to prove your case.
Importance of Reporting Car Collisions to Police
Car accidents might be deadly and result in serious injuries. The injured person may be unsure what to do. The first step is to contact the authorities. There are several compelling reasons for you to do so. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
When you have been in an accident, you should exchange information with the other party thereby collecting their insurance information, vehicle number, and contact details.
If the other driver is at fault, they may be uncooperative and may try to flee the scene. In such a case, if you have reported the accident to the police, they will be able to track down the other driver and get the necessary information from them.
You may also want to report the accident to the law enforcement agency if any dispute arises between you and the other driver. The police report will contain all the necessary information about the accident, and it can be used as evidence in court.
More specifically, the police report will contain a description of the accident, the weather conditions at the time of the accident, and the name and contact information of any witnesses.
Reporting the accident to the police will also ensure that a medical team is dispatched to the scene if anyone sustained injuries at the time of a crash. Sometimes, the injuries might not be immediately apparent, but they may show up later. In such a case, if you have not reported the accident, you might have to pay for the medical bills yourself.
The police will also make sure that the vehicles are moved to the side of the road so that they are not blocking traffic. If you do not report the accident to the police, you will be responsible for moving your vehicle to the side of the road.
If the weather conditions are worse, such as in the case of a snowstorm, you may even be responsible for having your vehicle towed.
Another reason to report the accident is to avoid getting into any legal trouble. If you flee the scene of an accident, it will be considered a hit and run, and you may be liable to face criminal charges. The bottom line is that it is always in your best interest to report a car accident, regardless of how minor it may seem.
Reasons to report a car accident to the insurance company
If you are involved in a vehicle accident, you should notify the insurance company as soon as possible. This is true even if you are not at fault for the accident. The insurance company will need to know about the accident so that they can begin their investigation. If you wait too long to notify the insurance company, they may deny your claim.
You may think that reporting an accident will increase the rates you pay for insurance. However, this is not always the case. In some instances, the insurance company may actually reduce your rates if you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault.
The insurance company will also be able to offer you protection in the event that the other driver does not have insurance or if they flee the scene of the accident.
If you fail to report the accident to your insurance company, you may also have difficulty getting your vehicle repaired. This is because the insurance company will not be able to confirm that the damage was caused by the accident. As a result, they may refuse to pay for the repairs.
If you report the accident weeks after the incident, the insurance company may also question the validity of your claim. They may think that you are trying to scam them.
It is important to be honest with the insurance company and to give them all the details of the accident. It may lead to a higher insurance premium in the short term, but it will be worth it in the long run.
If you have been in a car accident, you should always report it to the police and your insurance company. This is the best way to protect yourself and your property.
If you have been injured and the accident was caused by a negligent driver, you may also be able to file a personal injury claim. An experienced accident lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options.
Contact us now at The Offices of Offices of Greg Prosmushkin for a free case evaluation. We will review the facts of your case and help you determine the best course of action.