After an automobile accident, most people are confused, tense and frightened. The last thing on your mind at the time is figuring out whether you need to report the accident to law enforcement authorities and what your insurance company requires.
Depending on the nature or location of the accident, different law enforcement authorities may get involved, such as the Highway Patrol, city police or the county sheriff’s office. For example, an accident within the city limits will typically be handled by the police.
Regardless of which authority responds, you should always make a report when an auto accident involves injuries or severe damage to any vehicle.
Your insurance company may also require you to stay on the scene and report the accident to law enforcement, even in cases where the other driver flees.
Some insurers will accept a counter report. The responding officer may provide you with one, or you may need to go to the nearest station to complete the form.
Counter reports are common in larger jurisdictions when the responding officer sees that the vehicles involved are still in working order and no one is injured. Once the form is filled out, keep a copy and submit it to your insurance carrier.
Even if the accident does not involve one of the above elements, there are situations when it can be useful to have law enforcement respond and secure an accident report. For example, the other driver might admit blame and offer you cash to repair your vehicle, yet refuse to provide insurance or contact information.
Even if the other driver offers personal contact information in such a situation, you still have no way of knowing if it is genuine.
Additionally, due to any stress or confusion you are experiencing after the accident, you may forget to collect important details.
In these situations, making a police report is crucial because the officer will collect and verify both drivers’ names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, insurance information, details of the accident and any injuries.
Most details that a court or insurance claims adjuster would need are included in a police report.
Finally, even though a police report may be necessary for many accidents, remember to write down all the information yourself. Depending on the jurisdiction, it can take weeks or months for the insurance adjuster to obtain a copy of the report.
Do not rely on law enforcement to provide this information to the insurance company. If you have all the information in hand, particularly the other driver’s, the claims adjuster can start an investigation immediately.