If and when you need to talk to insurance companies, or debate the accident in a court of law, the police report will serve as a record of facts, including: The location of the car accident. Find out what a skilled personal injury attorney can do for you. What happens if the other driver gets home and realizes the damage was more severe than she first believed? My vehicle cost a little over $3000 to get fixed. Filed Under: Questions & Answers Tagged With: Car Accidents. Some injuries, like whiplash and brain injuries, may not show symptoms for several hours or even days. How to Check your Driving Record and Why it's Important. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. It's a written account of what the police officer was told by witnesses and drivers at the scene, along with his own observations of the cars' damage, weather conditions, drivers' injuries and more. //anchor_id = anchor_id.replace("#", ""); As long as its safe and the accident involved minimal damage and no injuries, move your car to the side of the road (or a nearby location if the shoulder is narrow). Merely filing claims doesnt mean the accident will be noted on your driving record. the amount you'd recover for your vehicle damage is less than or around as much as your deductible you'd need to pay as part of the claim process. Keep your cool. Write down the cars license plate number, and a description of the damages you can see. Your insurance company will guide you through the next steps, including filing a claim . var hash = location.hash.replace("#",""); There is a two-year statute of limitations on a lawsuit resulting from a car crash, meaning that you the other driver can wait until the end of the two-year mark before filing. In Florida, for example, causing an accident while under the influence stays on your record for 75 years, basically your lifetime. On the other hand, if the other driver aggressively comes after you, stay in your car with the windows rolled up, grab your smartphone and start recording a video of the drivers outburst. The other driver may even claim to have witness statements, gathered after you left the scene of the accident. Information on WalletHub Answers is provided as is and should not be considered financial, legal or investment advice. References to average or typical premiums, amounts of losses, deductibles, costs of coverages/repair, etc., are illustrative and may not apply to your situation. In Texas, a hit and run that results in damage to a vehicle (but no physical injuries) is a Class C misdemeanor. All Rights Reserved. Please use the button below to see how else we can help. The driver of the car. Yes, you need a police report for a fender bender if anyone is injured or if the cost of the property damage exceeds a certain amount, as determined by your state. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Read more about Enjuris. If someone hit your parked car, you should file a police report because it will make the claims process easier and might come in handy if there is more damage than you initially think. We offer insurance by phone, online and through independent agents. If you're in a minor car accident where no one is hurt and there's little damage to anyone's car, it may be tempting to drive away and go on with your day. While the police are unlikely to respond to a minor parking lot fender bender, it is always a good idea to file a report over the phone so there is a legal trail to follow. If there aren't any injuries and damage to the vehicles is minor, you may not have to, but it's still a good idea. For example, you only need to contact the police after a minor fender bender if the other driver is uncooperative, uninsured, or intoxicated. Most states require drivers to notify police for minor auto accidents, depending on the estimated amount of vehicle damage. There are reasons you may want to delay filing a claim, though. Use the filters below to be matched with the right companies in your area. Your insurance company needs to hear about the accident from you. 3. Time limits make sure the accident can be thoroughly and accurately investigated. When you begin talking with the other parties involved, do not discuss the accident. Always carry up-to-date copies of: 3. The date and time the car accident . You may also be getting treatments on a doctors schedule or want to seek a second medical opinion. If you see any beer cans or other open bottles of alcohol, photograph them. A surprise lawsuit after two years is a worst-case scenario, but it gives you an idea of how vulnerable you are if you dont protect yourself after an accident by obtaining an unbiased report from a law enforcement officer. is a practicing personal injury attorney with over 20 years of legal experience. To illustrate just how costly fender benders can be, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) staged seven low-speed collisions between several new vehicles. You might be worried your insurance rates will go up. Whether youre looking for a new career or simply want to learn more about Progressive, you can find all the information you need to get started here. [WA St] I was driving my partners car for a quick errand around the block and lightly hit a guy speeding past me as I was making a right turn leaving an underground parking garage - he was in a blind spot driving past parked van and was going a bit faster than I expected so I . Witness testimony can also help your insurance company defend you if someone from the other car comes back with exaggerated injury claims. 10 days later she said her whole bumper had shifted. When you apply for, or renew, your auto insurance, the insurance company will evaluate your risk level how likely you are to cost them money through claims. What happens if I'm at fault in a car accident? You may also have to file a police report if property damage exceeds a certain amount, but the exact number varies greatly by state. But that does not mean you do not qualify. Write down the date, time, and location of the accident, too, along with the weather and road conditions and a description of the vehicles involved. You could be seriously injured and not realize it. It might be in the form of a police report that is forwarded to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or a ticket that was written to you for your part in the accident that ended up on your MVR. Follow these safety steps and teach them to any young drivers in your care as well. Yes. Consult with a licensed attorney in your state before relying on any information found on this site. Now we recieved a letter 4 days later with an $800 estimate for bumper replacement and $30 doctor bill. And in other states where it is available, you might be unable to use it if the at-fault driver is unidentified. Most states require drivers to notify police for minor auto accidents, depending on the estimated amount of vehicle damage. It might also be a good idea to look for a personal injury lawyer that we can talk to just in case something happens. . Learn more about contacting your car insurance company after a car accident. If you've submitted a car . Many states require you to report any accident that involves an injury. Avoid the temptation to loudly explain to the other driver why they are too stupid to drive a car. If youre using a camera thats not part of a smartphone, turn the time/date stamp feature on, if available. If its safe to do so, take pictures of the scene before you move the cars. Your insurance rates should decrease at your next renewal as a result. The accident report is an important piece of evidence and includes information such as what kinds of vehicles were involved, what kinds of damages were sustained, and how the accident happened. Their was no visible damage so the lady said don't worry about it and exchanged information then parted ways. This is CRITICAL! Does your driving record follow you from state to state? Even if the accident was your fault, youre better off telling your own insurance company. A police officer can help make sure everyone is okay and document what happened. In fact, the police cant and wont come to the scene of every accident. Its free, anonymous and confidential. Important tips for taking good accident photos: Finding the best attorney to represent you, Personal injury vs. workers compensation. The average American can expect to be in three or four car accidents in their lifetime.. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company. if(hash != ""){ To do this youll need evidence. 1. Provide them with the information you gathered from the other driver and any witnesses, as well as the police report number. Disclaimer: The advertisers appearing on this website are clients from which QuinStreet receives compensation (Sponsors). Your state's laws determine when and how you need to report a car accident (even a seemingly minor one) to law enforcement or other government authorities. Minor car accidents typically cause only minor dents and dings to your car. These raise your risk in the eyes of an insurance company because they show you dont obey traffic laws designed to prevent crashes. If the person who hit your car left a note, their insurance company should pay for your expenses with read full answerproperty damage liability insurance. She is gonna have to prove that I banged her. One company may surcharge a minor accident while other insurers will not. Thats great, but the situation is still inconvenient and annoying. What does it take to get my driver's license back? I gave my drivers license and insurance information to the lady at, Disputing a Claim for a Minor Fender Bender, Recently I was in a minor fender bender. or We called the police after we found the lady, she had no license or insurance. To report an accident to the DMV you, your insurance agent, or legal representative must complete the Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (Form SR-1). This won't always happen anymore, according to a statement from the police department. My neighbor came to my door and told me someone hit my car and the make and model of the vehicle. Document your pain and suffering and how it affects your life. your only option is filing a claim under your own. Once you stop and assess the damage, you might just be relieved when you find out that everyone is okay and there are no injuries. You might lose that protection if you violate the notice clause. If anyone requires immediate medical attention, call 911. If you intend to file a claim in court, you typically have two to three years after the accident to pursue damages in a lawsuit. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company. 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