Why Not Reporting a Car Accident Is a Bad Idea

Not every car accident needs to be reported to the police, though it’s almost always a good idea. While laws vary from state to state, accidents involving damage to people or property typically need to be reported. In North Carolina, drivers must report crashes that result in fatality or injury as well as those resulting in property damage of $1,000 or more. A crash occurring on private property does not necessarily need to be reported — but again, deciding not to report a crash could lead to regret later on.

There are several arguments in favor of always filing a police report. For one thing, it makes sure you’re always in compliance with the law. While it’s legal in certain circumstances to not report a minor collision, it’s never against the law to report a crash — so rather than try to figure out the law in your circumstance, you might as well err on the side of caution and avoid any potential for trouble with the police.

Filing a police report can also assist with other aspects of an auto accident. For example, some injuries don’t become apparent right away, such as neck and back pain, traumatic brain injuries, etc. The same can be said for unseen damage to your vehicle. When these hidden problems do become evident, the insurance claims process for dealing with them can be much simpler with a police report on file.

If your car crash involved another vehicle, the police report will also become an important record of events. The other party may make false claims at a later time or refuse to take responsibility for their actions, even if they did so in person at the scene. Along with your statement and those of any witnesses, the police report could strengthen your case. If you have any reason to think you may need to file a lawsuit for damage to your property or your injuries — or even if you’re not sure and would just like to think about it — it’s absolutely critical that you call and make a report with the police.

Failing to report a collision when you’re required to do so by law could have significant consequences. Depending on the state you are in, you may incur a fine or have your license suspended for a period of time.

As for making the report itself, the police officer at the scene will generally create the report and fill it with all necessary information after talking to you and others at the scene. However, if an officer does not arrive to the scene of the accident due to road conditions or the unique circumstances of your collision, you might need to file a report yourself, either online or at the police station.

In the event that you do need to file a police report yourself, be sure to include:

• A complete description of the incident, including how many people were in both cars
• Name and insurance information of everyone involved
• Names of witnesses and their detailed accounts of the crash (it’s a good idea to ask their permission to record their statement on your phone.)
• Details about damages and injuries, with pictures if possible