Can You Claim Car Accident Without Police Report?

By doinjurylaw | March 13, 2023

Now, there are only a few things more traumatizing than getting yourself involved in a car collision. If you are involved in such an incident but do not want to call the police to avoid the hassle, it isn’t a great idea to begin with.

The next question you might have is, can you still make an insurance claim without having a police report, even if it is more expensive? Well, the short answer is- yes. You can file an insurance claim without a police report!

However, it is understandable that notifying the police can result in added inconveniences that you wish to avoid, but having more evidence may help you obtain the maximum compensation for your damages. Additionally, a police report may expedite the claim process and confirm the honesty of the mishap. That is why consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Sacramento will acquaint you with your legal options and assist you in receiving adequate compensation for the damages from your or the at-fault party’s insurance company.

Your personal injury attorney in Sacramento will guide you through the nuanced legalities of the process. Let’s delve deeper to learn other facts!

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Table of Contents

What Is Considered A Minor Car Accident?

In most states, you are not required to file a police report for a minor accident. However, it is important to note that what is considered to be a minor accident varies based on the state in which you live. For example, Alabama considers a minor incident to have $250 worth of damage, while for Oregon, it increases to $2,500 for an accident to be considered minor.

In several jurisdictions, police would not issue a report for accidents that take place on private property, such as if you face an accident due to the failure of your garage door opener. In addition to parking lots, neighborhood grocery stores or local shopping malls are also considered private property. Thus, police may only respond to a minor vehicle incident in these locations if they have a strong enough reason.

All of that aside, there is no accurate and exact way to examine a vehicle’s damage at the scene of an accident. In some instances, the damage may appear to be minimal or not extensive, but with a more thorough inspection, it may reveal more issues than what is apparent. Therefore, if you have a doubt, it is always best to report your minor incident to the police.

Is a Police Report Mandatory if the Car Collision is Minor?

A minor fender bender requires no police record to file insurance. Police engagement is usually not essential when it comes to tiny scuffles. Instead, in those instances, it becomes your responsibility to preserve the incident specifics. The situation can be handled amicably without police involvement if no one sustains any injury, with trivial to minimal damages, engaged individuals have valid licenses and insurance, and everyone is on the same page.

If the accident is significant and you or someone else has sustained severe injuries, you must notify the police, seek medical assistance instantly, inform your insurers, and get in contact with an auto accident lawyer in Sacramento as soon as you can.

What Happens if You Don’t Call the Police?

Although submitting a police report in a minor car accident is not mandatory by law, calling the police can still be beneficial since the other person can’t always be trustworthy. It is possible that the person may provide you with forged details, including your license, phone number, and other details, among others. Police can protect you from such imposters and assist you in such trying times. Additionally, your insurance company or at-fault party’s insurer may demand a police report before proceeding with the claim procedure. Or perhaps the culpable motorist acts pleasant and honest at the incident site just to plan their tale afterward. While the consequences could be anything, having a police report and a trusted Fair Oaks auto accident attorney may safeguard you if such situations arise.

What Are Accident Details Needed When Filing For An Insurance Claim?

While a police report will take into consideration all the tiny details so you do not have to worry about it, if you choose not to involve the police, you have to be sure to write down the specific details of the accident, no matter how small, and take photos to document and corroborate the story. These should include, without fail-

The date and time of the said accident
The specific location of the accident
The contact information and driver’s license, number of the people involved in the accident.
The insurance information of all the parties involved in the accident, including their insurance policy number.
All the details of the types of vehicles involved, such as license plate numbers and state of registration.
Any and every detail of the damage incurred during the incident
Even environmental factors, including the weather, time of day, and lighting
The details and information of any witnesses involved.

The procedure for filing an insurance claim with your insurance company is no different whether you have a police report or not. If you have a report, all you need to do is give your car insurance provider the information on the report, while if you don’t file a report, just provide a detailed account of the event to get your insurance claim.
However, it’s worth noting that there’s no precise way to evaluate the car damage at the incident site since sometimes seemingly trivial damage demonstrates additional problems after a closer investigation. Thus, acquiring a police report is tactful.

An official examination provides an in-depth summary of the events that occurred during the incident. Police involvement is necessary if there are severe injuries, substantial damage, or more sensitive instances. On the contrary, you can investigate the specifics in small cases without the need to file a police report.

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