Do I Need to Call the Police When I Have an Accident?

After an accident, you may not always be thinking clearly enough to know exactly how you should respond. Because this can often be a hectic situation, you will want to know everything that you should do beforehand, so when an accident happens you can act appropriately. If an accident has caused serious damage to your vehicle, you may be immediately compelled to contact your insurance agent first, instead of calling the police. Although getting compensation for the damages may be at the top of your priority list, it is imperative that you always contact the police first to ensure that the accident is officially reported.

Why should you call the police first? Your insurance agent will look at all of the information available surrounding the accident. If you failed to call the police afterwards, it may look a little suspect to your agent. Whether it's true or not, failing to call the police can make the situation appear like the accident was your fault or perhaps that there wasn't an accident at all. Your insurance agent will want official documentation and proof of the accident to make it easier to file the claim and receive the compensation you need. Because of the process for filing a claim, you will want to make sure that the police report lends credibility to your own argument.

Even if you think the damages are relatively minimal, you should still notify the police of its occurrence. One reason for this is that the accident could be reported by a party uninvolved with the accident (i.e. the car at the stoplight behind you) and could result in an allegation accusing you of leaving the scene of the accident. If this information is on record, your insurance agent will most likely uncover it and it could put your claim in jeopardy. To avoid any complications in your claim, be sure to contact the police as soon as an accident happens to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.