Should I Call the Police After a Car Accident?

Frequent questions car accident victims want to know after a car accident.

Should I call the police after a car accident?

Yes, always call the police after a car accident. When a car accident happens and occupants are injured it is extremely important to call the police. This is because fault and liability are often an issue in the case.

• Insurance companies rely on the findings of the initial police report to determine whether to pay for property damage, medical bills, and wage loss.
• When the police report is missing it creates doubt about what happened and who is at fault.
• To protect yourself and family call 911 and ask for police assistance.

Do I have to call the police for a minor accident?

The answer is yes in most instances. Even minor accidents can cause injuries to the driver and passengers.

• When people exchange insurance at the scene and think they are not hurt, many injury victims realize later in the day that they are injured.
• Now, they have issues with proving liability and fault due to the lack of police investigation.

What happens if I don't call the police after a crash?

When you fail to call the police to report the accident it can cause problems with car repair, proof of who caused the injury and make it hard to file a claim with the other driver and their insurance company.

• More importantly, your entire case can be instantly destroyed due to a false belief they are not necessary.

Can I file a police report later?

Yes, you can always make a walk-in police report later or file it online.

• The problem with this is that the walk-in police reports do not get facts on both sides, do not document injuries and lead to problems with car repair and repayment for medical bills and lost wages.

Do I need a police report for insurance?

Yes, your insurance company will want a police report for documentation to help them investigate your liability and the comparative fault of the other driver.

• The insurance company always adds negative points against your claim for not calling the police to the scene.

Should I call the police if nobody is hurt?

Yes, you still should call the police even when you are not hurt to document fault of the other driver and to help get property damage paid for by the other person's insurance.

What if the other driver says not to call police?

You should still call the police.

• This is a sign that the other person has been intoxicated by drugs or alcohol, is illegally driving without insurance or has a warrant out for their arrest and does not want to go to jail.

Can I still make an injury claim without a police report?

Yes, you can but your case value is decreased because of missing evidence like police photos, evidence of insurance for the other driver, and police opinions of who caused the accident.

Will calling police increase my insurance rates?

It depends on whether you are at fault or the other driver is at fault.

• While all reported car crashes are put into the ISO database for insurance companies, the determination of fault on the other driver helps you not to be blamed for the accident.
• If you are found to be not at fault your insurance rates should not increase.

What should I tell the police after an accident?

You should report all facts about how the car crash happened, who was injured in the car, what the location of the crash is, what the other driver needs to say and to and what any witnesses say about who caused the accident.

• If injured, you should tell them who is injured and request an ambulance.

What evidence should I collect before police arrive?

After a car or motor vehicle accident you should talk to the other driver to see if they admit fault, get insurance information, take photos to document how the crash happened.

• Get photos of injuries and get photos of license tags, any logos or numbers on the other vehicle.
• Take photos of skid marks and debris in the roadway.

What if the other driver leaves the scene?

If the other driver attempts to leave the scene call 911 immediately to report they are fleeing.

• Try to photograph or video the other vehicle and their license tag and stay exactly where you are in the roadway.
• If in a dangerous location where a further crash is likely, turn on hazards and lights, get occupants out of the vehicle to a safe location, and do not sit in the vehicle.

What if the other driver has no insurance?

When a car accident happens and the other driver has no insurance if you have uninsured motorist insurance coverage, you still have a claim for bodily injuries.

• This is why you should never buy car insurance without uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist insurance coverage.
• If you have full coverage your property damage will still be paid for.

Should I call 911 or the non-emergency number?

When a car accident happens, it is always best to call 911 and report all facts of the motor vehicle crash.

• Many people in car accidents feel okay at first due to an adrenaline rush but learn hours after they are injured.