Should I Report a Minor Car Accident?

 If you have been in a relatively minor car accident, you may be wondering if you should—or even if you are legally obligated to—report it. You may not be completely sure of whether you are injured, whether your car is very damaged, or whether you even want to pursue legal compensation after an accident. This is completely normal and it is understandable that you may be unsure of what the best steps are once you have been hit by someone else. In fact, some of the most common accidents on the road are not 5-car pile-ups with serious casualties. Instead, they are often just minor fender benders. When this is the case, what should you do? 

Choosing Whether or Not To Report the Accident 

When it comes to choosing to report it or not, this can fall into a few categories, including whether you think you should call 9-1-1 at the scene of the accident or whether you should report it to insurance. As a lawyer, like a car accident lawyer from a law firm like Ward & Ward Law Firm knows, reporting the accident may be in your best interest, especially if you believe that someone else caused the accident to occur. 

• Call law enforcement. There are many factors that will play into whether you choose to call law enforcement to the scene of your accident. For example, if you know you have an injury from the accident, even if it is a minor injury, there are many states that legally require you to call the police to the scene of the accident. Additionally, if you are not sure about injuries but suspect that injuries could pop up over the next few days, it can be beneficial to call the police so that they can get everything written down in a record. This can be extremely helpful to you if you are even considering filing a personal injury claim later. 
• Call your insurance company. The next group you may be questioning about calling is your insurance company. It is understandable that with very minor accidents people are hesitant to call their insurance company. Especially if you are not responsible for the accident, you do not want your premium to go up. However, no matter which state you are in, you are legally obligated to contact your insurance company to let them know that an accident occurred. If you do not, you may be facing more severe penalties down the road. If the other driver decides to report the accident even after telling you they won’t, it could mean penalties and more serious repercussions for you. 

When it comes to getting into a car accident, there are a few steps you should always take. If you suspect any injuries after the accident, it may be wise to call the police to the scene. In any situation, it is a smart decision to call your insurance company and report the accident. Finally, the next call you will want to make is a call to a local law firm you can trust so that you can have a car accident lawyer represent you with your personal injury claim.