What are the Requirements for Reporting an Accident to the Police?
After being in a car accident, many people are unsure what to do. The first thing is to remain calm and gather necessary information. You may need to use this information to file a police report. Filing a police report is normal after being in a car accident. Filing a report soon after the accident will ensure that you remember the key information needed for the report.
First, you need to determine if you need to report the accident. An accident needs to be reported if one of the following has occurred:
- Someone was injured or killed in the accident.
- There is at minimum $400 in property damage.
- The driver of the other vehicle is not covered by car insurance.
If any one of these applies to you, you need to file a report. To file a police report, you will first need to determine the specific jurisdiction you are in. This will depend on which police department you will be reporting the accident to. Each police department will have a non-emergency telephone number. This can be used to contact the police station and determine if you are in their jurisdiction.
Important information to obtain for the report includes the following information for all drivers involved in the accident:
- The name, address, and contact details
- The driver’s license information
- The license plate information
- Car insurance information (if available)
Once you receive this information, you will be ready to file the report. If you would like more guidance on how to file a police report, check out our blog: How to Obtain a Police Report After an Accident.
A car accident will need to be filed with the court within two years, so it is important that once you are in an accident, you also reach out to an attorney. There are many steps involved with car accidents, so if you are in need of any assistance, reach out to an attorney at Charles Boyk Law today!
