Not every accident is a major ordeal. Sometimes, a minor fender-bender or collision leaves both parties uninjured and with only small amounts of property damage. If you are involved in such a minor accident, do you have a responsibility to report the collision to the police or your insurance company?
If the police do not come to the scene of an accident, you may have an obligation to report your collision to the police or the state’s Department of Transportation. In New Jersey, an accident must be reported if it involved an injury, death, or over $500 in property damage. In Pennsylvania, the rules are similar, and the Commonwealth requires drivers to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage to the extent that a vehicle must be towed or cannot be driven away under its own power.
Under these laws, the term “injury” includes any complaint of pain. If you or the other driver is hurt in any way, the accident must be reported to the police.
Many drivers would prefer to try and work things out themselves rather than report an accident to their insurance company. This is usually because the drivers fear that their insurance rates will increase after any collision, no matter how small.
However, most drivers’ auto insurance policies require them to report any and all auto accidents or incidents of property damage to the vehicle. Even when the accident seems minor, small dents and scrapes can cost thousands of dollars to fix, and injuries which appeared relatively harmless at the time could turn into bigger problems later.
In addition, most drivers are contractually obligated to report all accidents to their insurance company. Failing to report an accident can result in legal complications or financial penalties down the road. For example, if several weeks after a minor accident the other driver realizes that his or her injuries were more severe than first though, or that the vehicle will cost thousands of dollars to fix, the driver may make a claim against your insurance. If you failed the report the accident, your insurance company may refuse to cover the damage, and you may end up covering the costs out of pocket.
In almost all cases, it is a good idea to report an accident to your insurance company. However, some minor scrapes to your vehicle which can’t be traced to another person and did not result in an injury are probably not necessary to report. For instance, while drivers may be contractually obligated to report all property damage, chances are that your auto insurance company will not care if your car door is dinged by your garage door or by a shopping cart in a grocery store parking lot.
In most other situations, protect yourself by reporting the collision. If an injury is involved, or if your vehicle is disabled, remember to inform the police so that a report can be filed. In many instances, your insurance premiums will not increase for a minor accident. Even if there is a small increase, it is often better to pay the increase rather than risk having to pay for accident claims out of your own pocket.
If you are unsure about what to do after an accident, speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. At Fighting for People Injury Law, our Pennsylvania and New Jersey injury lawyers will help you determine the best course of action after a collision, and will use all of our resources to help you get the compensation you deserve for the harms and losses you suffered. For a free consultation, contact our office today by calling 215-396-9660.
