If the other driver caused the accident, then you could file a bodily injury claim with their insurer. So you were involved in a minor car accident now what? Filing an accident report with the police. Witness testimony can also help your insurance company defend you if someone from the other car comes back with exaggerated injury claims. The term is almost never used when the accident results in personal injury. A police officer can help make sure everyone is okay and document what happened. your only option is filing a claim under your own. Were available 24/7. They stay on your record longer. For injuries: Even if the accident was minor and no one appears to be seriously hurt, you should still consider filing a claim for minor injuries. 8. These raise your risk in the eyes of an insurance company because they show you dont obey traffic laws designed to prevent crashes. Pictures can show what caused the accident and the extent of damages and injuries that occured. Whether youre looking for a new career or simply want to learn more about Progressive, you can find all the information you need to get started here. You agree these messages may be auto-dialed or pre-recorded, and consent is not a condition of purchase. If there aren't any injuries and damage to the vehicles is minor, you may not have to, but it's still a good idea. Otherwise, youll file an injury claim against the at-fault drivers insurance company. WalletHub editorial content on this page is not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any company. As long as its safe and the accident involved minimal damage and no injuries, move your car to the side of the road (or a nearby location if the shoulder is narrow). According to Insurance.com, minor fender benders are surcharged the same amount, whether the damage amounts to $200 or $2000. Still, you need to have an official record of the accident, even if it's just a record of your call to the police. insurance. What happens if I'm at fault in a car accident? Click here to see if you qualify now. My vehicle cost a little over $3000 to get fixed. Everyone, please give the owner of the site all thanks for the important topic. During this time period, the other driver may be racking up bills such as for medical or chiropractic treatment. Seconds later as I shuffled in my car seat my. It is . You can also get a copy of the police report. What would be considered a clean driving record? You have the right to do so after any collision. This could lead to points on your driving record that could cause your license to be suspended or revoked. Best of luck with your move! Copyright 2023 CarInsurance.com. Car insurance companies report claims to property loss databases. Stop and put on your hazard lights. This is CRITICAL! What to know about car insurance and salt damage. Advertised example rates are returned based on the driver's self-reported data and the driver meeting certain criteria. And the accident must be reported to the California DMV within ten days if any injuries or death resulted, or if the crash caused more than $1,000 in property damage. Please use the button below to see how else we can help. Even seemingly minor fender benders are notorious for being far pricier to fix than most drivers would expect. Most insurance companies check your driving record for the past three to five years, meaning if you had a violation outside this time period, it will not affect your insurance premiums. Both types of coverage typically have a. , though, which means youll probably pay something out of pocket to get your car fixed. They tend to result in minimal damage or injury and are usually settled for very little, if any, money outside of court. I think most people will find a lawyer if and when they get into an accident (unlike a doctor, whos available whenever you need one), but it cant be a bad idea to do some research ahead of time and see who is available where you live. In most cases, a police officer will investigate the crash and prepare a formal police accident report. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. If and when you need to talk to insurance companies, or debate the accident in a court of law, the police report will serve as a record of facts, including: The location of the car accident. By submitting, you agree to the Terms & Conditions. Otherwise, move the cars to a safe location, then photograph the following: If you cant take photos due to an injury or stress, ask a friend, family member, witness or police officer to take photos for you. No results found. Throughout the process, you'll receive regular status updates so you can stay informed and connectedand put your mind at ease. Add one or two times that amount for pain and suffering to come up with your expected compensation. Most states require drivers to notify police for minor auto accidents, depending on the estimated amount of vehicle damage. Refusing or delaying medical treatment after an accident can result in your claim being denied. is a practicing personal injury attorney with over 20 years of legal experience. Promptly reporting the collision and taking steps to prove the other drivers fault can save you time, money, and further aggravation. You may call the police for any accident, but theyll probably respond only if there are injuries or serious damage, if one party claims that another party committed a violation (e.g., driving under the influence), or if a driver fled the scene. ). You may also be getting treatments on a doctors schedule or want to seek a second medical opinion. Your insurer will collect a lot of information about the accident, including witness statements, police reports, photos of damage, medical and auto repair bills, and more. There are a number of reason she may have done this. State laws range from one to six years, but two to three is most common. If the police or security personnel respond, be sure to bring it to their attention. The insurance company may also send an adjuster to the scene of the accident or to inspect damaged property in person. The officer was driving north on University Boulevard, also signed as Colo. 177, near Hampden Avenue about 11:15 p.m. on Feb. 21 when he hit the man, Colorado State Patrol Trooper Gary Cutler said . Medically fragile individuals are entitled to full injury compensation for their medical expenses and other damages, even if a healthier person wouldnt have been injured in the crash. Not filing a claim can be risky, especially if there are any physical injuries involved that may result in a lawsuit. Dont worry about payment for medical care after an accident, you can get reimbursed. We respect your privacy. It is generic information for informal purposes only. Coverages and other features vary between insurers, vary by state, and are not available in all states. You consent that the law firm you are matched with or a call center may contact you by phone and/or text, even if you are on a Do Not Call Registry. If the police are coming to the scene, wait for them to arrive so you can give your version of events for the police report. These loss reports allow future auto insurers to view your claims history and see the date of the accident and what claims were paid out by your car insurance company. What is fender bender and how does it occur? Copyright 1995 - 2023. The other driver car didnt even have a dent, only, Found a Note on My Windshield Saying I Hit Their Bumper, Someone left a note on my car window saying I hit and cracked his bumper. Take photos of the witnesses and get their names, addresses, and home/cell phone numbers. The best way to do this is by reviewing your driving record. We know that you may be stressed or worried. Typically, fender benders cause little to no property damage and do not result in serious injuries. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. A police report is a detailed and official account of the accident that includes whether anyone was cited, eyewitness accounts, the officer's opinion of how it happened, and any on-the-scene evidence - like the length of skid marks or the position of the wreckage on the road. There were more than 4 million fender-benders (no injuries or fatalities) reported to police in the United States each year. I asked for estimates but I still havent seen it. Yes, you need a police report for a fender bender if anyone is injured or if the cost of the property damage exceeds a certain amount, as determined by your state. Thats great, but the situation is still inconvenient and annoying. Advertised example rates are returned based on the driver's self-reported data, by comparing their current reported premium against their new policy premium, and the driver meeting certain criteria. If the other driver agrees, you might think its a good idea to go ahead and leave and put the whole thing behind you. Many states require drivers to produce their drivers license when asked. When a claim is filed after an accident, insurers want to know who was at fault so they can decide whose insurance will cover the damage. Obviously, if there had really been a 62-percent drop in crashes on Staten Island, authorities would be taking a well-deserved bow. In general, it's also a good idea to call the police so there's an official record of the incident. Always carry up-to-date copies of: 3. 3690 West Gandy Blvd., Suite 444Tampa, FL 33611 Contactustoday. My wife got into a minor fender bender which was her fault. You can always take this information to a police station to file an incident report if the police dont come to the scene. Filed Under: Questions & Answers Tagged With: Car Accidents. While the police are unlikely to respond to a minor parking lot fender bender, it is always a good idea to file a report over the phone so there is a legal trail to follow. Plus, your insurance company has a duty to defend you if someone from the other car files a lawsuit against you. The most pressing concern is whether or not you should call the police. }, 1000); Additionally, keeping certain items in the car can help keep you and others safe in the immediate aftermath of an accident. } For example, in California, drivers of any vehicle involved in a car accident must make a written report of the crash to the California Highway Patrol or local police within 24 hours, if the crash resulted in injuries or death. (In this case, you will likely have to provide the DMV with proof of a license or insurance once you obtain the proper paperwork. Hi, Zoe. A fender bender is considered a minor accident between two vehicles. 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