Do You Have to Report a Minor Car Accident?
March 7, 2016
Your Florida Car Accident Attorney Weighs In
It is an unfortunate fact that thousands of Florida car accidents happen every day. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 5,687,000 crashes nationwide in a single recent year, although more than half of those accidents caused no injuries. If you are involved in a minor traffic accident in which no one is injured, do you need to report it? Call the Florida car accident attorney, Jodat Law Group, for help.
Reporting Minor Collisions to Law Enforcement
Accidents can be hard to avoid in today’s heavy traffic conditions. When traffic stops suddenly, you may be unable to avoid impacting the car in front of you, or being hit by the vehicle behind you. A driver who fails to do a head check could sideswipe your vehicle, or run you off the road and onto the shoulder while switching lanes.
If you are lucky, an auto accident will be minor, causing only minimal property damage, or no damage at all. The legal requirement to report such an accident depends on the state in which it occurs. In Florida, you are required to report any vehicle collision that involves injuries or property damage greater than $500 to the local police, sheriff, or to the Highway Patrol.
In all U.S. states including Florida, you are required to exchange insurance and contact information with any other drivers involved in an accident. If another driver is being uncooperative about providing this information, or you suspect that the driver does not have insurance, call the police or another law enforcement agency, so they can come to the scene of the accident to assist.
It may also be a good idea to call the police if there is a dispute between you and the other driver about how the accident occurred, and who was responsible. An officer on the scene can record physical evidence and the statements of the witnesses and drivers involved. You can consult with an experienced Florida car accident attorney at Jodat Law Group of Bradenton & Sarasota.
Reporting Minor Florida Accidents to Your Insurance Company
All automobile insurance policies in the U.S. require their policyholders to immediately report accidents. If you fail to report an accident because you don’t want your rates to increase, or you intend to work it out independently with the other driver, it could have negative consequences for you down the road.
The other driver or passengers involved could develop delayed symptoms of injury, such as whiplash, or discover property damage that was not initially apparent. If a claim is filed several weeks after the accident, your insurance company may deny your coverage because you failed to report the collision at the time it occurred.
Florida Car Accident Attorney
At Jodat Law Group, we provide outstanding representation to those who have been involved in a minor to serious car accident. We have been serving individuals in Florida for more than 20 years, and our experienced Florida car accident attorneys have earned the Trial Masters Seal of Experience and a 10.0 Superb Rating on Avvo.
We handle all types of motor vehicle accidents. Our staff are knowledgeable, courteous, and happy to assist you. Contact our office today to request a free consultation with no obligation. We are committed to helping you resolve your Floridacar accident case.