Reporting an Accident When the Police Don't Show

As a Long Island personal injury firm, we’re the first to admit that police reports are an important part of the insurance claims process. But, what if you’re in a crash and for some reason, the police do not show up to the accident scene? What do you do? Is it too late to file a police report? Read on as we explain how and why this can happen and what you can do to ensure an official police report is recorded. There are three main reasons why the police won’t show up at the scene of a car accident after a call has been placed to 911, and these include:

1. No one was injured in the crash. If something else more important demanded the police’s attention, your accident may not be given priority.

2. The property damage was minor. In some jurisdictions, an officer may not be sent to an accident scene if the damage was minor. If you believe the damage was less than $500, the local police may not be required to come to the scene and write a report.

3. Bad weather. If there is a blizzard, a flood, or a severe storm, the police may not be able to get to the scene of the crash in a timely manner. This typically happens when a minor car accident is not as serious as other crashes or roadway conditions.

How Do I Report the Car Accident Myself?

Even if the police were not able to make it to the scene of the crash, it’s still very important that you report the accident. You can ask the police dispatcher about the best way to report the accident yourself, but usually the best answer is to go down to the local police station and file a report. Sometimes, you can file a report online. You can check with your local department’s website to see if they have an option to file a report online.

“Should I file a report if the accident was minor?” Yes, you should always file a police report. If the at-fault driver were to go missing, the information in the report would help the authorities track him or her down. Or, if you started to feel neck or back pain or if something in your car started to rattle after the crash, the report would be a critical piece of evidence in your personal injury claim.

After a crash, always obtain the other driver’s name, contact number, license and registration, address and insurance information. Also, take pictures of both vehicles at the scene of the accident. All of this information will be needed when you file the report, and it will be valuable to your car accident case.

To file a car accident claim in Nassau or Suffolk County, contact our firm today!