Why You Should ALWAYS Call the Police After a Car Accident?
If you are involved in a minor car accident, you may be tempted not to call the police. However, there are several reasons why calling the police after a car accident is ALWAYS a good idea.
Virginia Car Accident: What’s Required?
Virginia law requires the following of parties involved in a car accident:
- Stop as close to the crash site as possible without obstructing other traffic
- Offer reasonable assistance and medical treatment to anyone in the crash
- Report the crash to the local law enforcement agency (such as a police or sheriff’s office) or state police OR
- Exchange information, such as driver’s license number and vehicle registration number, with the other driver
So, there is no requirement that you call the police after a car accident. However, below are the reasons you will want to call the police and have a police report filed.
Police Officer: Police Report
It’s always a good idea to call the police and report a car accident, even after a minor fender bender. When the police officer arrives on the accident scene, they will take statements from the parties involved and any witnesses who may be on the scene. These witness statements, along with a drawing of the crash, insurance information, report of any citations issued, and whether any property damage or any injuries occurred as a result of the car accident will be listed in the police report.
Insurance Company
An insurance company will frequently attempt to deny an insurance claim involving property damage and injuries resulting from a car accident. For this reason, it’s important to call the police and have a police report as proof of:
- How the accident happened. This helps in the instance there is a dispute about the facts and prevents the other driver from making a false claim about how the crash occurred.
- Correct Driver Information. An accident report also reduces the likelihood that the other driver will use a fake ID or give an incorrect phone number or insurance information.
- Injuries. The police report will usually also have information about whether you or the other driver suffered injuries as a result of the crash.
It is also helpful to provide a copy of the police report to your own insurance company. If the other driver’s insurance company refuses to pay for your property damage or injuries, your insurance company may be able to assist.
What Can Happen if I Don’t Call the Police?
If you decide not to call the police or contact a law enforcement agency after a car crash, be certain to exchange information (insurance company, address and phone number, and take a photo of the other driver’s license) with the other driver. If you exchange information but decide not to report a minor accident, you may be responsible for paying out of pocket for your damages if there is any dispute about how the crash occurred and the insurance company denies the claim.
Talk with a Virginia Car Accident Lawyer
When the other driver is responsible for causing your car accident injuries, the Ritchie Law Firm is here to help. The experienced personal injury lawyers at the Ritchie Law Firm help car accident victims get the recovery they deserve after a car accident. The best personal injury lawyers will have substantial recoveries for their clients listed on their websites. Check out Ritchie Law Firm’s settlements and recoveries.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Virginia and are concerned about dealing with the insurance company and filing an insurance claim, the Ritchie Law firm has you covered. The experienced, certified Virginia car accident attorneys at the Ritchie Law Firm have helped thousands of injured victims and their families recover the compensation they deserve after an accident. Contact us by phone at 800-277-6124 or by using our online contact form.
DON’T GET HURT TWICE!! Your Virginia attorney team at the Ritchie Law Firm will help you deal with the insurance adjuster after Virginia car accident. We have helped thousands of injured people get the money they deserve after they’ve been injured. Call today to get your free case evaluation and free consultation — 800-277-6124.
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Ritchie Law Firm is a Virginia and West Virginia personal injury law firm devoted to helping individuals who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence. The attorney team at the Ritchie Law Firm serves all of Virginia, while helping clients in cities and surrounding areas of Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Winchester also serves clients in West Virginia, including Martinsburg, WV.
