While it’s easy to know what to do after a major car accident, it can be harder to know the right steps to take in other accident scenarios. What many people don’t know is that if you don’t report certain accidents, you can face serious consequences down the road.
Below, you’ll learn how and when to report a car accident and the consequences of not reporting.
When to Notify the Police
While many people think that notifying the police after an accident is a personal choice, there are actually rules in place about reporting. In fact, each Canadian province sets a dollar amount for estimated damages that you can use to gauge whether or not you need to report your accident.
For example, Alberta and Ontario have set a limit of $2000. That means if the total estimated damages incurred by both vehicles involved in the accident are less than $2000, you don’t need to report it to the police. If the estimated damages are $2000 or more, you are required to report it to the police or to a collision reporting center.
What many people don’t know is that if you don’t report an accident and it is required by law that you do so, the police can charge you with leaving the scene. This is a serious charge that can not only increase your car insurance payments, but it can also result in serious fines and jail time. Make sure you take time to properly estimate the damages that resulted from the accident to ensure that you’re behaving within the limits of the law.
When to Notify Your Insurance Company
Insurance companies require all involved drivers to report any accident, whether the damage is major or minor. Drivers often believe that they can pay damages themselves without notifying their insurance company, but it is imperative that you notify your insurer.
If you fail to report a collision to your insurance company but the other driver involved in the accident reports it, you may find yourself in a sticky situation. This is because the other driver’s insurer will likely contact your insurer regarding how to negotiate the claim, at which point your insurer will learn that you failed to notiy them.
It’s also important to remember that even if you pay for damages on your own, your insurance rates will go up if you are found to be partially or totally responsible for the accident.
To ensure that your insurance company will pay your claim, consider using a dash cam recorder at the scene of the accident. This kind of evidence usually results in claims being paid.
When to Report Private Property Collisions
A collision on private property like a parking lot should be reported the same as an accident that happened on a roadway. If there are injuries or damages that exceed your province’s dollar amount limits for damages, you must report it to the police as well as your insurer.
Accidents Where Reporting is Required
In certain scenarios, you must report an accident to the police and your insurance company regardless of how much property damage is incurred. You must report an accident if it involves:
• Major or minor injuries or death
• A criminal act such as impaired driving
• An uninsured driver
• A government vehicle
• A vehicle transporting of hazardous goods
• Damaged property, including homeowner property, private property, municipal property, or highway property
• A pedestrian
• A bicyclist
Now that you understand the basics of when to report an accident, you can feel more prepared in case you’re involved in one. It’s essential to remember that regardless of the level of injury or damages, it’s a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer right away if you’ve been in an accident. At minimum, getting a free consultation and learning more about your rights can help you understand how to proceed to ensure that you claim the damages you’re entitled to.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, book a free consultation with and accident lawyer to better understand your rights.
