How Long You Have to Report a Car Accident

Once again, every state is different. However, in most states, you can report a car accident to one of two government entities: the police or the DMV.

If you have the time and a means of transportation, you should be able to report the car accident in person during normal business hours. You will probably have to fill out some paperwork. But since you are doing it in person, you will know for certain that you have done it properly and on time.

You can also likely report the accident online. The best place to look for online accident reporting is on the DMV website. Even if you can’t report the accident there, you will find instructions about how to report it and how long you have to report a car accident.

Finally, even if you can’t report the accident online, you may be able to download a form to print and report the accident using traditional mail. Since mail can potentially take a few days to be delivered, you should act quickly if this is the option you choose to take.

When choosing to report in any way other than in person, you should confirm the appropriate agency received your report after about a week. That should be enough time for your report to be filed. And if you can’t confirm the report, then you should find another way to report your accident.

You’ve done your due diligence and reported a car accident. That doesn’t mean your work is done. If you want to receive compensation for the damage to your vehicle and any injuries you suffered, you have more work to do.

You will need to start the claims process with your insurance company promptly. If you have a smartphone, you should be able to begin the process online while still at the scene of the accident. This is a good idea because the sooner you start the process, the sooner you will get paid.

Take pictures of the scene of the accident and all contact information of other drivers and witnesses. You will need this information during the claims process. This information is needed during the trial as well if you end up in court.

Speaking of a trial, the best time to retain an accident attorney is immediately after the accident. Call Morgan & Morgan while at the scene of the accident and provide the law firm with the details of your accident. We will schedule a free case evaluation and consultation and help you take the first steps of the claims process.

Every state is different, but you will typically have between two and four weeks to report a car accident to the authorities. There is no advantage to waiting to report your car accident, so you should report it as soon as possible.

Yes, police reports are public records. If you want a copy of the police report for your accident for any reason, you should contact the police station nearest to the location of the accident scene. Typically, you will have to pay a small fee to get the report, though you may be able to get a free copy in some states if you were one of the drivers.

Your lawyer will need a copy of the police report before dealing with the insurance company or filing a lawsuit. The information in that report is evidence that will likely support your claim.

While you probably aren’t required to report a minor car accident, it may still be worth reporting. That report protects you from potential fraud by the other driver. Reporting a car accident takes very little time, so the cost is minimal, while the advantage can be significant.

No, but you probably should. Even if you don’t intend to claim any damage on your policy, you should still advise the insurance company that the accident happened. This protects you if the other driver tries to file a claim against your insurance.

When you report your accident, it is possible to make a statement that could make it look like you are at fault when you aren’t. This is something you want to avoid.

You don’t avoid this by failing to report the accident. A better way is to consult with an attorney before reporting the accident. Your attorney will ensure that you don’t accidentally make a statement against your interests.

In most states, only one driver needs to report the car accident. However, it can’t hurt you to report an accident that has already been reported. Conversely, if the other driver claims they will report it and then does not, you will both be punished for their failure. Therefore, you should always report a car accident, regardless of what the other driver does.

While it is always best to report a car accident as soon as possible, it is also reasonable to wait until you have spoken with an experienced lawyer before reporting. Your attorney can answer any questions you have and ensure that you don’t make any mistakes while reporting the accident.

If you are looking for legal assistance after being in a car accident, your best choice is to consult with the car accident attorneys at Morgan and Morgan. We have been providing valuable advice for car accident clients for decades. 

Contact us today to get more information and schedule your free case evaluation.