Should I file a police report for a car accident on Reddit?
Asked by: Ila Sipes | Last update: July 18, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (18 votes)
Yes, to protect yourself. Who's to say the other driver isn't going to blame you for something.
Do you have to file a police report for an accident on Reddit?
You're not required to, but it's in your interest to. Insurance companies usually require you file a report before you can file a claim, and if someone hits you, seems agreeable at the time, but later decides to contest the insurance claim, a police report will only work in your favor.
Do you have to call police after a minor car accident on Reddit?
Always call the police. You need a police report for the insurance company.
Should I call the police for Fender Bender on Reddit?
NTA. Some people are comfortable handling minor accidents without a police report, but it creates risk if it's not entirely clear who is at fault so you are fully within your rights to call the police.
Should you report a minor accident to insurance reddit?
You don't have to report if you are not filling a claim through them. Even if you did they would just tell you it's under your deductible so they are not paying anything and you would still only pay the repair cost. There is no such thing as a negative insurance settlement where you owe them for filing a claim.
Should You File A Police Report After A Car Accident? | McKinney Personal Injury Lawyer
What happens if you don t tell your insurance about a minor accident?
There is no California law per se about notifying your insurance company after a collision, but your auto insurance policy is a contract. When you signed it, you agreed to the stipulations in the contract, which will almost certainly include the requirement to notify the insurance company promptly after an accident.
Should I report a fender bender with no damage on Reddit?
Your car could have unseen damage. Get a police report and file a claim. If there is damage found, then his insurance should cover it. If you don't get it fixed (if there is any unseen damage) it could be worse over time.
Who is at fault in a fender bender?
California, like many other states, uses comparative negligence to determine fault in auto accidents. In comparative negligence, when a car accident occurs, each party's fault and/or negligence is based on their contributions to the accident.
What are 3 things to keep in mind if you get into a fender bender accident?
DON'T put yourself in danger
Be aware of your surroundings: Stay in a safe location away from traffic. Take pictures only if doing so doesn't put you or others at risk of injury or further damage. If photos aren't possible, write down any damages and injuries. Lastly, be sure you call your insurance company right away.
What if a minor gets in a car accident?
In California, when a parent signs a minor's driver's license application, they assume liability for damages caused by the minor in an accident. This legal responsibility is another pathway through which parents may be held accountable if the minor causes an accident.
Do police investigate single car accidents?
Even if your single-car crash only damaged your own vehicle plus an object like a parked car, fence, or structure, state traffic laws likely require stopping and reporting it to authorities or property owners. Failure to do so can result in criminal hit-and-run charges.
Why is it so hard to get a police report?
The Gist of this Article: Police often refuse to provide a copy of the police report upon its request because the identities of witnesses or victims in it could serve as a roadmap or checklist for the defendant to intimidate such witnesses, or even kill them, to prevent a conviction.
Do you need a police report to file an insurance claim for theft?
Yes, you can file an insurance claim without a police report. However, having one can speed up the process and help you prove the validity of the account of the accident. Filing a police report is beneficial to ensure you're protected should a situation arise.
Should I file a claim if I'm not at fault?
Always File a Claim, Regardless of Who Was At-Fault
One of the primary questions we receive from clients who have been in an accident is whether they should report the accident to their own auto insurance carrier, particularly when the accident was not their fault. And the answer to that question is: always.
What is the slang for a small car accident?
Fender Bender. A fender bender is a minor accident between more than one car.
How do police determine fault in an accident?
A Police Officer doesn't Determine Fault
They testify about driver impairment, physical evidence observed after a crash, and their rationale for issuing any citations for criminal behavior. As fault is a legal conclusion, if an officer gives an opinion about it, it's just an opinion.
What happens if someone hits your car but no damage?
You Should Report Your Accident Even If There Was No Damage
It is important to obtain a copy as it serves as valuable evidence for your case. While the report attempts to document most of the issues related to the incident, it is never all-inclusive.
Do I have to report a minor car accident to my insurance reddit?
Since no other party was involved, you don't have to notify your insurance if you don't want to.
Is a fender bender bad for insurance?
Or you might agree that the at-fault driver will just pay for the damage instead of going through the insurance claim process. Since California uses a fault-based auto insurance system, insurance premiums go up every time you cause an accident, even a minor one.
When you file a police report, do they run your name?
Yes. Your name will show up unless you are a confidential informant. Your name may be redacted, but if you gave a statement pertinent to the investigation and a person gets arrested as a result, that person would receive the police report as part of his or her discovery in the case.
Will police investigate a minor hit and run?
Will Police Investigate a Minor Hit-and-Run? Yes, law enforcement takes all hit-and-run accidents seriously, even those that only cause property damage. Calling the police is the first thing you should do when in a hit-and-run accident. Officers must investigate any crash where a driver flees the scene.
Who is at fault in a non-reportable accident?
Non-reportable just means the damage was below a certain $ determined by your state/county/city/etc. to be reportable. This does not mean you aren't financially liable for the damage you caused to the other. The other driver certainly has every right to file a claim against your insurance.
Do I call the other person's insurance if they hit me?
Even in at-fault states, where the other driver's insurer pays, there are several reasons why you should always call your own auto insurance company first, including: Some insurers will help you negotiate a settlement with the other driver's insurance company.
Is it better to go through insurance or pay out of pocket?
Firstly, if the cost of repairs or services falls below your insurance deductible, opting out of pocket may prove more cost-effective. Additionally, choosing to pay out of pocket can help prevent potential increases in insurance premiums, especially if filing a claim would only marginally exceed your deductible.