Why You Should Report Your Car Accident To These Three Parties

If you have been involved in an accident, one of the pressing duties you have (apart from getting medical treatment) is to report the accident to the relevant bodies. In a typical car accident, there are at least three parties that should be notified, and they include:

The Police

The police are the first party that should receive a report of your accident. You should report your accident to the police both to satisfy a legal requirement and to protect yourself. The type of accident that you are required to report depends on your jurisdiction. Most states require you to report an accident that has resulted in an injury or moderate to major vehicle damage. If you aren't hurt, then you should stay at the scene of the accident until the police arrive and help them generate their report.

Reporting an accident gives you the ammunition you need to prove your case if a need arises, and it may arise when filing an accident claim. This makes sense because the police report contains factual information about the accident (such as the date, time, and parties involved) and a preliminary determination of liability. If you end up needing to file an injury lawsuit because of the accident, this information will be vital for the case.

The Insurance Company

Apart from the police, your auto insurance carrier is another party that should hear about your accident as soon as possible. Again, there are two main reasons for reporting your auto accident to your insurance carrier. First, it is a requirement of most auto insurance carriers that clients involved in an accident should report them within a certain period.

Secondly, reporting your accident to your insurance company helps to establish it as a fact and helps avoid claims of fraud when you eventually want to file your accident claim. Imagine failing to report your auto accident to your carrier and then filing a claim for it a couple of weeks later. In such a case, the insurance carrier can easily think your claim is fraudulent, and your claim may be denied.

The DMV

In some jurisdictions, you are also required to report your accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In this case, also, there will be a time limit within which you must file the accident report with the DMV. Depending on your jurisdiction, you are likely to have your license suspended if you don't report the accident to the DMV within the stipulated time.

Hopefully, you won't forget to report your accident to the above parties depending on the laws of your state. If you were seriously injured, give priority to your medical treatment and then make the relevant reports. If an injury lawsuit follows, get in touch with a firm like Bradfield Injury Law Firm, PC for more assistance.