Choosing The Perfect Counsel

If you are in a car accident, it can be hard determining whether or not that accident should be reported. For the most part, all accidents should be reported, but there might be some exceptions. Here are some tips for reporting an accident and deciding when and if it is necessary.

Did the accident involve an injury?

The first way to determine if the accident should be reported to the police is if it caused an accident. Keep in mind even a minor accident can cause an injury. If you feel a headache coming on or you have a bruised hand following a fender bender, that is a good enough reason to report the accident. You might found out later on that your hand is actually sprained or you have whiplash, which will require medical treatment. If you didn't cause the accident, the other person should be responsible.

Not only should you file a police report if you sustained an injury, but also make sure you have a personal injury attorney. You may need to file a claim against the driver who caused the car accident.

How much damage was there?

The amount of damage can also help you figure out if filing a police report is warranted. Find out about the laws in your area before filing a report. Some areas have a dollar amount that would require a police report to be filed. It can be difficult to know how much the damage is when you are on the scene of the accident, but if you notice visible damage that goes beyond a basic scratch, it is probably a good idea to call the police.

Does the driver seem cooperative?

Another reason to file a police report is if the driver does not seem cooperative. This raises the risk that the driver does not provide you with accurate information or they dodge you when you attempt to get payment for damages they did to your car. However, if they hand over their information and insurance card without question and seem happy to help with whatever damages they caused, you might not need to file a police report.

Was it the other driver's fault?

Finally, it is usually a good idea to file a report if the accident was the other driver's fault. While a minor accident where the driver is cooperative might mean you don't need to file it, there is still the risk that they won't cover the damages. You can file a claim if they caused bodily injuries or damages due to an accident that is considered their fault. If you need to file a lawsuit against them, the police report will come in handy. For more information, contact a business such as Arrington Schelin & Munsey PC.