How to File a Car Accident Report: A Step-by-Step Guide

Filing a car accident report is a crucial step after being involved in a wreck on the road, even if the accident was minor. It helps to ensure that your accident was officially documented which can be critical when dealing with insurance claims or potentially even legal disputes if there are disagreements over what occurred.

By understanding when and how to file your report, you can protect your rights and streamline your recovery process. Learn everything you need to know to successfully file your car accident report. 

Why Filing a Car Accident Report is Important

Filing a car accident report serves multiple purposes but there are three primary reasons you should do so:

  1. Legal documentation: A car accident report provides an official record of the incident, which can be critical for determining liability if the issue goes to court
  2. Insurance claims: Insurance companies often rely on accident reports to assess the circumstances of the crash and determine fault when processing your claim
  3. Protection of rights: Having an official report ensures your side of the story is documented, which can be helpful in disputes about who was at fault or the extent of the damages involved

Without having a car accident report filed, you may soon realize it’s difficult to prove what happened and that the whole thing becomes “he said, she said”. This can impact your ability to receive compensation for injuries or property damage, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and file a report.

Be aware that the time you have to officially file a report will expire, though, and that this time will vary from state to state, with some states requiring that car accident reports must be submitted within 10 days or less. 

When Are You Required to File a Car Accident Report?

Whether or not you are required to file a car accident report will depend entirely on the state you are in when the accident occurs. Generally speaking, most states require a report to be submitted when there is a death or injury (regardless of how minor the injury is) as well as if there was significant property damage.

While the definition of significant will also change from state to state, $1,000 worth of damage is the usual threshold. If you fail to file a car accident report within the legally required time, it can actually result in fees or other legal consequences. 

What Information You Will Need to File a Car Accident Report

To file a comprehensive and accurate accident report that captures everything that occurred, you will need to gather as much information as possible. Generally, you will want to have the following at a minimum:

  • Relevant personal information: Gather full names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, and contact details of all parties involved in the wreck
  • Vehicle information for both parties: Grab the make, model, color, year, and license plate numbers for all vehicles involved
  • Accident details: Note down the date, time, and location of the accident as well as specific details such as intersections or mile markers, road conditions, and weather conditions at the time
  • Damage and injury description: Collect a detailed account of the damage to vehicles and property, as well as any injuries sustained by drivers, passengers, or pedestrians nearby
  • Collect witness information: If available, collect names and contact information for any witnesses at the scene who are willing to vouch for what occurred 

When you go to file your accident report after a crash, accuracy will be the key to a successful report. Even minor issues can cause complications during the insurance claims process or legal proceedings, so be sure to provide as much detail as possible.

How to File a Car Accident Report

A woman File a Car Accident Report

With all of the above information gathered, you are ready to file a car accident report by using the below steps:

1. Contact law enforcement

In a serious accident where there are injuries, fatalities, or major property damage, you should call 911 immediately after the accident occurs. Officers will arrive on the scene and begin treating the victims while also collecting information. If there were no injuries or property damage, you can file the accident report over the phone or electronically. 

2. Gather information 

As mentioned, after an accident you will need to gather all of the information we have already discussed above. Try to remain cordial with the other driver, even if their negligence caused the wreck, so that you can get as much information as possible.

Also get your phone out so that you can take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and other important items. 

3. Complete the crash report form

If applicable based on your state, and if the police did not already do it for you, you will need to complete a crash report form. This will essentially be a file that outlines all of the details you previously gathered such as personal information, description of the accident, injuries, damages, and more. 

4. File the report and follow up 

With the crash report either filled out by you or law enforcement, you can sign off and submit the report to the relevant division of the authorities. Many drivers often forget to follow up on their report when they don’t hear anything after a number of weeks, so be sure to reach out to ensure your report is properly processed.

If possible, obtain a copy of the report and keep it for your records.

Follow your legal requirements after an accident

Filing a car accident report may seem like a tedious experience, but it is crucial to ensure you complete this after a wreck if required. Regardless of whether the accident was minor or involved serious injuries, following the proper steps to ensure you have the necessary information for insurance claims or legal action should be a priority.

By understanding the process of filing a car accident report and doing so promptly, you can avoid any potential legal penalties or fines you may otherwise face while also ensuring your case is handled correctly. 

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