As long as people continue to drive carelessly, there will be accidents. Victims who are unaware of right procedures can feel helpless after such accidents. They don’t know the fact that they can avoid several financial and legal problems by reporting the accident. Let us delve deeper to understand what happens if you don’t report a car accident.
Why Reporting Is Always Better
In many cases, both parties involved agree to part ways without reporting. This could be due to failure to recognize the amount of damage. It can be tempting to not report the accident.
Reporting an accident immediately protects your legal and financial rights. It helps keep a clear record of what happened. This can be helpful to make an insurance claim. It also ensures you’re following the law.
Legal assistance from a car accident lawyer in Atlanta can guide you through the necessary steps. They can ensure all your documents are in order which can be critical in proving your case.
By choosing not to obey the law after a crash, you may have done more harm than what you sought to avoid. This means valuable evidence is lost, and more legal challenges may lie ahead for the driver who leaves the accident scene.
Importance of Reporting Accident to Insurance Company
Timely communication with your insurance company is also vital to avoid complications. Contact the insurer immediately and inform about the crash.
Additionally, document any property damage resulting from the crash. Clear photographs of your vehicle and any other property affected can serve as strong evidence during investigations.
Should I Report Even if It’s Not Necessary?
There may be instances when a crash involves only property damage, or the damage is less than $500, and reporting is not mandatory. In such instances, it is still a good idea to complete a report. It helps keep a record for possible later use.
Where there is no police response person involved can complete a Personal Report of Accident form. It is for personal use and is not filed like a police report.
As soon as you leave the scene, evidence disappears, and it becomes difficult to assign liability.
Affect of Not Reporting Accident on Personal Injury Claim
While not reporting an accident does not stop an injured person from making a personal injury claim, but it makes it difficult to prove the injuries and the damage. With a report it is easier to make decisions about a claim and identify potential issues.
Especially if there is disagreement about the fault, a police report can be critical evidence. It will contain information about the damage and injuries reported at the scene.
The conclusions of a reporting officer are considered reliable due to police training and experience. Reporting the accident is not only legally required when someone gets injured, but it is also a good way to have accident information recorded. This information can prove very useful when making a claim. The evidence will be used by your car and truck accident lawyer in Attorney to fight for your rights, chosen depending on the vehicle involved.
Conclusion:
Not reporting an accident is against law and can lead to big problems. You might face legal trouble, insurance issues, and other problems. Always report accidents even for minor crashes. Filing a report is a smart move to protect yourself.
