There are some car accidents that make it obvious that the police must be called. For example, if someone has an obvious head injury, you would not hesitate to call the police. But what about cases in which it is not quite as obvious? Do you know when to call the police? How to report an accident? Or why it can be so important?
Keep reading to get the answers. If you have been injured in a car accident then we highly recommend you contact a personal injury attorney for help. You can reach Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas by calling us at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
Situations that necessitate reporting a car accident
There are different laws in every state regarding when it is required that you call the police to report a car accident. In California, there are numerous regulations. Generally speaking, you should report a car accident if any of the following are true:
- There is an injury of any type, no matter how minor it may seem. This includes a scrape or bruise.
- Any of the involved drivers do not have a valid license.
- Anyone was killed in the accident.
- There was more than $1,000 in property damage. This includes all personal property – not just that which involves vehicles.
- Any of the drivers was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Who to report the accident to
The specific parties you will need to report the accident to will vary based on the circumstances. It may be that you need to notify the police, your insurance company, and the Department of Motor Vehicles. You may only need to notify one or two of those parties. Do not rely on other involved parties to report the accident. If the accident is not reported within ten days, you could lose your license.
How to report a car accident to the police
There are specific laws about how you must report an accident to the place. These laws may vary by county but at a state level, you must report if anyone was injured, the damage was $1,000 or more, or there were any aggravating factors. If anyone is injured, report the accident by calling 911. If no one is injured and there are no aggravating factors, call the non-emergency number of your police department. They will tell you whether you need to stay at the scene and how to proceed.
Why it is important to file a police report
There are a number of reasons you should file a police report. As noted above, if you do not do so, and the crash is covered by the required reasons to report, then you could lose your license. Not reporting the accident can also affect the success of any resulting personal injury claims.
If you have questions about whether or not you have grounds for a personal injury case then we encourage you to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 now for a free legal consultation.
