Do I Have to Call the Police After Being Involved in a Car Accident in New Jersey?

Do I Have to Call the Police After a Car Accident in NJ?

Some car accidents legally require you to call the police and inform law enforcement about the incident while others you can handle on your own through insurance. Under New Jersey state law, drivers must file a police report for car crashes that result in any of the following.

• Injury
• Death
• Over $500 worth of vehicle or property damage

What Are the Consequences of Not Filing a Report?

If one or more of the drivers involved in the accident fail to report the crash when any of the above circumstances are true, they could face various repercussions. They could be charged upwards of $100 in fines, have their driver’s licenses suspended, face criminal charges for a hit and run, and more.

What Are the Risks of Not Calling the Police?

You and the other drivers involved may decide not to get the police involved because no one got hurt and the damage seems insignificant. However, there are certain risks involved with neglecting to file a report.

Even if it does not seem like anyone was injured there is always a risk of hidden injuries that you may not recognize at first. Some symptoms do not appear for hours, days, or even weeks after the injury occurs. New Jersey law requires victims of car accidents to notify the police of any injuries so if you do not report the crash and later realize you are hurt you may not be able to receive compensation through an insurance claim. Insurance representatives could argue that the injuries are not serious or even refute their existence.

While property damage insurance claims do not require a police report, it can be more difficult to file a successful claim without the proper forms. Police reports include information like the time, date, and location of the crash as well as how fast each car was traveling, the direction of the collision, and the names of everyone involved. All of this information is crucial in an insurance claim. Without this type of evidence, it can be difficult to determine liability and be awarded compensation.

Contact Rubenstein, Berliner & Shinrod, LLC

Acquiring help from a skilled legal professional is one of the most important things you can do during a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Navigating the legal process alone can be daunting and overwhelming. If you are pursuing legal action against another driver after a car accident it is crucial that you first obtain representation from an experienced attorney. Reach out today to set up your free consultation.