When you’re involved in a car crash, you likely just want it to be over and behind you. If you’re not badly injured, you might be considering avoiding the headache completely by not reporting your accident. After all, it’s just a fender bender, and no one was hurt. No harm, right? Wrong.
There are consequences to not reporting a car accident in New York. You’ll need to report within ten days, in many cases, if you want to avoid harsh penalties. In which situations are you required to report your accident? If you’re not sure, take a look at the scenarios below. If your case falls under any of these, report the accident and seek out a lawyer to help you in the aftermath.
Reporting Property Damage
In some cases, you might simply need to exchange information with the other driver. Minor property damage should be covered by your respective insurers, so you’ll need to trade information and get a settlement check from your insurance provider for the damages.
There’s a limit to the damages you can accept without speaking to the police about the crash. If you believe the damages total to more than $1,000, you are required to report the accident. Even when the accident isn’t that serious, if an unattended vehicle was involved, or if a pet was injured, you’ll also need to report the accident.
Be sure that you contact the owner or other driver in these cases. They’ll need to know about the damages right away.
Injuries and Death
Any injuries sustained in a car accident must be reported as soon as possible. If another person is injured or killed in the auto wreck, you have a responsibility to report the accident and get first responders there immediately to help any survivors.
In these cases, you might assume that the police officer on the scene will make the accident report, but that’s not the case. Although they’ll be responsible for their accident report, both the officer and the drivers involved must file separate accident reports. This report will be on your record, but it won’t indicate fault in the accident, only involvement.
Aid After a Car Accident
When you’re hurt in an auto accident, you’ll need help recovering from your injuries. You’re suffering, your car is damaged, and you’re not sure whether you’re even required to report the accident. Fortunately, an attorney from Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP can help you take those next steps.
If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed after an accident, reach out for help from a dedicated an experienced car wreck lawyer. We’ll start with a free consultation, help you decide your next steps, and then determine how much compensation you can expect for your recovery.
Ready to begin? Reach out to a New York car accident lawyer from our firm by calling 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) or by reaching out to us through our website.