Do You Need To Report Minor Car Accidents
Minor car accidents happen everyday. If you haven’t been in a car accident, consider yourself lucky. Or overdue. By car insurance industry estimates, you will file a claim for a collision about once every 17.9 years. That’s if you’re an average driver, which, whether you’re willing to admit it or not, you likely are. Notice that statistic says “you will file a claim for a collision every 17.9 years”. In reality, most drivers are involved in many more “fender benders” over this same time period. Many small car accidents aren’t turned in as claims to insurance or even reported at all. The following blog is written to help you reconsider not reporting a minor vehicle collision.
Can I Be Sued If I Don’t Report An Accident
The following information is provided by: Nolo.com The simple answer: yes. If you fail to report even a minor collision you could be opening yourself to a variety of legal battles. Although both parties involved initially may decided to shake it off and head their separate ways, it just takes one person to change their mind to set up a case.
How To Determine Fault In A Car Accident
Infor provided by: Nolo.com https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/car-accidents-proving-fault-29604.html?utm_source=nolo-content&utm_medium=nolo&utm_campaign=nolo-related-products As with other types of accidents, figuring out who is at fault in a traffic accident is a matter of deciding who was careless — or “negligent,” in legalese.
Police Reports
If the police came to the scene of your accident, particularly if they knew that someone was injured, they probably made a written accident report. Ask the traffic division of your local law enforcement agency how to get a copy. Sometimes a police report plainly states an officer’s opinion that someone violated a specific traffic law and that the violation caused the accident. It may even state that the officer issued a citation. Other times, the report merely mentions negligent behavior, without plainly stating that the violation caused the accident. Regardless of how specific it is, any mention in a police report of a traffic law violation or careless driving by another person can serve as great support in showing that the other person was at fault.
State Traffic Laws
Another place to look for support for your argument that the other driver was at fault is in the state laws that govern driving. These rules of the road are contained in each state’s statutes and are usually known as the “Vehicle Code.”
“No-Doubt” Liability
If you’re involved in certain kinds of accidents, the other driver is at fault 99% of the time, and insurance companies hardly bother to argue about it. Rear-End collisions and Left-Hand turns are prime examples.
Delayed Injuries
You may feel fine after a minor vehicle collision, notice no damage to your car, and thus feel like you can let the other driver off the hook by not filing a report. In reality, however, you may be injured without realizing it. Many injuries after a car accident have a delayed response and without a police report or insurance claim you may have to cover those medical expenses yourself.
What To Do If You Are Involved In An Accident
Nutt Law Office is your personal law firm dedicated to helping you recover after an auto accident in the Louisville area. Our experienced attorneys have a wealth of knowledge to go along with their determination to win on your behalf. When you hire Nutt Law Office to be your legal advocate, you can rest assured that you have the most dedicated, qualified attorneys in central Kentucky fighting for you.