Should you involve the police when you are involved in a motor vehicle accident? This is one of the most asked questions by people involved in a vehicle collision. And the right answer depends on different factors.
Here is what to consider regarding calling law enforcement after a crash:
Are you injured?
If you or anyone else sustains an injury in a collision, regardless of the severity of the injury, you need to call the police or the California Highway Patrol (CHP). This also includes animals.
Was anyone killed?
If the accident you are involved in causes the death of anyone or an animal, you should notify law enforcement.
Is there a significant property damage?
If the crash results in property damage that exceeds $1,000, you should report it to the police or CHP.
What if the police don’t come?
It’s no secret that the police don’t always go to every car accident scene. They typically consider certain factors to determine if they should go to a scene. These include the severity and location of the accident. For instance, they may not go to an accident that happens on private property.
However, even though the police not responding to your accident scene is a possibility, you should still contact them. Failing to notify them at all may constitute a hit-and-run. Consider reporting an accident in writing at the police station if they don’t come to the scene.
Reporting an accident to the police can protect you from breaking the law and jeopardizing your personal injury claim if you file one. Learn more about this and other claim-related matters to know what to do.
