A question most new drivers ask is, “Do you have to call the police after a minor accident?” Driving can be a hazardous thing to do, and you might end up in an accident.
You need good Pennsylvania car accident lawyers to help you navigate the legalities and insurance business.
So, should you get the authority involved, even if it is a minor collision? If not, what steps ensure you are on the right side of the law?
This article will answer all these questions to help keep you safe and legal, so let’s get into the details and find out.
Do You Have To Call Police After A Minor Accident?
The laws vary by state, and it will depend on the situation, but it is a good idea to call the police just to be sure. If there aren’t any injuries or significant vehicle damage and the two parties can solve the matter, then there is no need to call the police.
A police report will help claim the insurance. The police will make sure there aren’t any injuries and will give the best advice on how to move forward. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
What Should You Do In Case Of A Minor Accident?
You might get into an accident regardless of how careful you are, so it is good to know the right thing to do in the situation.
There are many variables in an accident, so you have to think on your feet to figure out the correct thing to do, morally and legally.
You will react differently depending on the location of the accident, the severity of damage, and the injuries involved.
The wrong reaction can turn a minor accident into a much bigger huddle, so here is a guide on what to do in case you get into a minor accident.
1. Get to a safe location to assess the damage
The first thing you should do in case of a minor accident is get to a safer point from which you can deal with it. A minor accident implies that both vehicles are still working, so you must get them off the road.
Staying on the road could lead to more collisions that could be more dangerous. Move onto a safe location and ensure that people in both vehicles don’t have any injuries. In case of any injuries, call an ambulance for professional help.
You should also contact an ambulance if any occupants are unconscious, feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or experiencing internal pain.
2. Call the police
It would be best to inform the police so there is an official accident report. Some injuries may take hours or days to manifest, and some damage to the car could come a few days after the fact.
A minor accident could bring up more issues you didn’t anticipate. A report of the incident will help the insurance companies sort out details.
This makes it easier to determine who was at fault, and you can get claims much easier. A clear report will help you should the matter go to court or become a bigger dispute.
3. Get the other driver’s information.
You should exchange contact with the other driver even if none of you or your passengers is injured. Ask for their full name and contact and get the license plate and insurance company. This will make it easy to find them in case of a case or when you want to claim insurance.
Take some photos of the accident scene, and if there are any witnesses, ask them if they would like to offer a statement.
This might appear over the top, but a clear report of what happened is crucial for future reference and insurance claims.
How To Handle The Insurance Company After A Minor Accident
Insurance claims are a vital part of any accident since they will reduce the stress of dealing with hospital and repair bills.
You need to appropriately handle your insurance company after a minor accident to make sure you get the proper compensation.
It is important to tell your insurance company about any accidents you get involved in. It is not always easy to tell how badly a car is damaged or a person is hurt in a crash.
Some issues might arise later, and the insurance won’t cover you if you don’t make that initial report.
Your insurer can work with the other company to sort out the issues regardless of who is at fault in the accident. This will make it easier to process claims and give accident victims medical care in the proper window.
If your vehicle is damaged, then you should file for a collision claim if the repair cost will be more than your deductible. This will save you some cash, but if it is an easy repair, you can do it out of your pocket.
You should also file an insurance claim for minor injuries even if no one is hurt. Some injuries linger and could end up causing more trouble than you expect. You can also file a claim with the other driver’s insurer if they were at fault.
Their insurance will cover your medical bills and vehicle repair, depending on what package they had. Any additional charges could lead you into a court case, so it’s important to have detailed incident reports to make it clear who was in the wrong.
Conclusion
So, do you have to call the police after a minor accident? This will depend on the two parties, their physical conditions, and the accident’s severity. If there aren’t any injuries and the damage is minimal, then you don’t have to involve the authorities.
Police reports will help you later in case there is a case or if the insurance company needs it, so it is generally a good idea to report all accidents to the police. Let your insurance company know so you get the proper compensation to help with repairs.
