ABA Family Legal Guide

Automobiles

Accidents and Insurance

Accidents

Must I tell the police if I am in an accident?

Alert the police immediately if someone is hurt or killed. Generally, if the accident involves a death, personal injury, or property damage above a specific amount that varies among states, you must notify the police and file a written accident report immediately or within a short time span, usually five to ten days. Often, states require you to file the report with the bureau of motor vehicles or similar state authority. Some states do not require you to report an accident if no one is injured or if property damage is less than a certain dollar amount. Other jurisdictions require a report only if no police officer responded to the accident scene.

Failure to file a written report is a misdemeanor in most states. Some states may suspend your driver's license until you file the report. Remember, by completing an accident report, you are verifying that the report contains a recital of all important facts known to you. Providing false information in a written report is illegal.