Calling the police is one of the recommended steps to take after an accident. But what if the collision is only minor? Do you still need to call the police?
Here is what to know:
Always call 911
You should always call the police when you are involved in an accident, whether it’s minor or serious. And when you can’t, ask someone else to make the phone call.
Ringing the police is a legal requirement when someone is killed or injured or if there is more than $500 worth of property damage. Yet it is best to ring them regardless of how minor something seems.
The extent of your injuries and the damages to your car may not be clear at the time of the accident. If the driver who hit you asks to solve the case without involving the police, you may end up out of pocket, as you don’t know how they will handle matters when circumstances change. Will they agree to give you more money when you realize the damages/injuries are worse than they seemed at the scene?
A police report will detail everything about the accident, including the position of the vehicles, your physical condition (type and location of injuries), crash description, damage to the cars and property and so on.
Take the information of the officer who files the report
While several officers may attend the scene, you need to get the contact details of the officer who files the report. If you remember something important later, you can ask them to add it to their report. You can also request a copy of the report to help your claim.
It’s crucial to call the police when you are involved in an accident. Legal guidance can also help you understand your options.
