All accidents should be regarded seriously, no matter how minor they are. After experiencing a fender bender, numerous critical steps are there to take, including informing the police. Calling the police after a minor vehicle accident may seem inconvenient, especially in a large metropolitan region where the police have more serious concerns and may take hours to respond to a car collision.
Although it may be tempting to avoid calling and relying on the other driver to resolve any car repair or liability concerns privately with you, every state has regulations governing when drivers involved in accidents should notify the police. If you are injured in an accident, keep a few things in mind before exchanging information and driving away without calling the police. Also, engage an auto accident lawyer in Sacramento to guide you throughout the process.
When Should You Call the Police After a Minor Car Accident?
- The Other Driver Might Not Cooperate
Experiencing a minor collision might enable you and the other motorist to exchange phone numbers and insurance information and resolve the situation yourself rather than contacting the police. Remember that you probably don’t know this individual, and no matter how kind and cooperative they look at the scene, it’s impossible to discern their genuine motives. If you have any doubts, contact the police. They may prepare an official accident report, alleviating the need for you to count on the other driver’s honesty and candor.
- The Police Investigation Might Help in Resolving Fault Disputes
Rarely do drivers involved in a collision agree on who was at fault. You may believe that the other motorist was to blame for the mishap. For example, you pressed your brakes since a loose dog ran across the road and got rear-ended by the person behind you.
In your opinion, the other driver was at fault since it was their responsibility to notice you had stopped (for a reasonable reason) and brake appropriately. However, the other driver may accuse you of being irresponsible for abruptly locking your brakes in the middle of the road or even deny the animal’s presence.
Situations like this may quickly get complicated, especially when both drivers’ insurance companies become involved. A police inquiry and report can clear the mess, preventing the other motorist from transferring the blame wrongfully to you. Also, seek assistance from an experienced personal injury lawyer in Sacramento to handle the conversations with the insurance company.
- You May Have Injuries Even if You Can’t See or Feel Them
Not all injuries manifest themselves immediately. Some take days, weeks, or even months to appear. If you discover an injury that you didn’t anticipate and neglected to notify the police, it may be hard to demonstrate that your injury was a result of an incident. An official police record is vital proof you may need later while pursuing the other motorist for personal injury damages.
- Your Insurance Company Might Require a Police Report
Read your auto insurance policy thoroughly. If you have to rely on your insurance to cover accident damages or injuries, a timely police report may be required to file a claim. For these reasons, it is advisable to choose the safer option of calling the police, even if it seems unnecessary, instead of not calling and regretting that you should have.
