Should I Call the Police for a Minor Car Accident?

Most of us have been involved in fender benders. Maybe you were stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and someone hit you from behind. Or, you nicked a car in your local grocery store parking lot. These things happen. And, if the damage is minor, it’s usually nothing more than an inconvenience. The drivers talk for a few minutes and end up going their separate ways. They trade insurance information just in case.

For most people, they don’t like to report car accidents that have minor damage to their car. They figure they’ll have to cover their deductible anyway. If it costs less than that to fix it, why bother reporting it? Nobody wants their insurance rates to go up. And, it’s not likely that your insurance company will conduct a full-blown investigation over a $250 claim. It just seems easier to deal with it yourself.

These same people also usually decide to not call the police. They don’t want to stand around for half the day dealing with the cops. They don’t realize that this is a big mistake.

Your Texas car accident attorney knows that you need to call the police, even for a minor accident.

Why is it Important to Call the Police?

People don’t realize why it’s so important to call the police. It’s not just so you can report the accident. Yes, most states require that you report most car accidents. But there are other reasons why you need to do this. Mostly, you do it to protect yourself.

Your car accident lawyer in Texas is going to need the police report, for one. Without this, he may not be able to prove the other driver was at fault. And, before you say you won’t need an attorney, don’t be too sure.

You have no idea at first what kind of injuries you may have suffered. You think it’s just a few bumps and bruises but you can’t be sure. For all you know, you may have suffered internal injuries or other issues. This is why you need to go to the hospital after your accident. This is true whether you think you’re hurt or not. This way, if it ends up you are hurt, you’ll have the medical documentation to prove it.

If you don’t call the police, you’ll have no record of the accident even happening. The police will put together a report that you and your lawyer can use to prove fault. This way, if you need to file suit, you’ll have the proof you need.

What if I Don’t Report the Accident?

If you don’t report the accident, you could run into a few problems. First of all, in Texas, you’re legally required to report an accident. Second of all, your lawyer will need that police report. If you find out later that you were seriously injured, you’ll need to file a claim against the other driver’s insurance. This means you’re going to need the police report. Finally, you have no idea if the other driver is telling you the truth. He could give you bogus information. Then, when you do need to file your claim, you’ll have no idea how to get in touch with him.

In Texas, you are required to report any accident that involves over $1,000 in property damage or causes injury or death. You only have ten (10) days to do this. If you don’t, you can be charged with a crime yourself. Now, if the police come to the scene, you’re not required to separately report it. However, if you don’t call the police, you’ll need to report it yourself.

The problem is, you have no idea how much property damage was caused. You also can’t be sure if anyone was injured. To be on the safe side, just call the police right away.

Contact a Texas Accident Lawyer Today

If you get into an accident in Texas, you need to call a Texas car accident lawyer right away. You may think the accident was minor, but you have no idea for sure. There could be a lot more property damage than you may think. You also could have suffered much worse injuries than you first thought.

Call and meet with an experienced lawyer today to discuss your case. The initial consultation is free and you pay nothing until you win your case. Let a Texas accident attorney get you the compensation you deserve.