Call the Police to the Scene
We are now at the fifth part of the series “What To Do In a Car Accident.” This article will discuss an additional step you should take following a car crash: call the police to the scene. Many motorists are often unsure about this step. Should you always call the police if you are in a car accident? What if the accident is minor? What are the laws involved?
Laws vary by state. Some states require that you call police to an accident scene, especially if the damage is over a certain amount (such as $1,000). Nevada, however, has no laws that require you to call the police. You may choose not to if the damage was minimal and you have suffered no injuries. If both parties agree to not call the police, then you will face no penalties for not doing so.
However, it is recommended that you do. Police in Southern Nevada will respond to all accidents, whether or not there are injuries involved. And if for some reason they don’t come to the accident scene, you can file a report with the local DMV.
Benefits of a Police Report
You may not feel like waiting for police to show up—it could take an hour or longer—but having a police report is invaluable to a car accident claim, even if the accident is minor. The police officer will assess the crash site and make sure it is safe. The officer will also investigate the scene and determine who is at fault. This will help you receive compensation for your damages.
If you are going to file a claim, then call the police and have them provide you with a report. However, if the damage is minor, and you and the other party don’t want to call the police, then you don’t have to. Do note, though, that if the other party wants to call the police and you don’t, you still must cooperate. You must wait for police to arrive at the accident scene and provide the required information. Do not admit fault or blame the other party. Just answer any questions and let the police officer decide who is liable for the crash.
When You Should Call the Police
If you’re not sure if you should call the police, do so anyway. It’s better to be safe than sorry. You might discover injuries at a later date or find out that the damage to your vehicle was much more than you expected. By having a police report, you’ll still be able to file an insurance claim or file legal action against the liable party. It’s harder to file a claim and recover compensation when there is no police report on record.