If you have been in a major car accident, police will likely be at the scene, and a police report will be filed. However, what happens if you are involved in a minor car accident? Should you still file a police report?

The answer is that in many cases, it is a good idea. You may need a police report to file an insurance claim, and in most cases, you will want to alert your insurance company if you have been in a crash. Many car insurance policies require you to report any accident to them. If you fail to do so and your insurance company finds out about it, you may find your premiums increasing, or you may even be denied insurance when you try to renew your policy.

In addition, Delaware law requires you to contact the police if any of the following apply to your collision:

• The collision resulted in any injury or fatality
• The collision happened on a public highway and likely caused at least $500 in property damage
• The collision may have involved a drunk or drugged driver

The Risks of Not Filing a Police Report

There are also some risks of not filing a police report. For instance, with no police report, there is no external version of events. You may end up being blamed for an accident that was not your fault. In addition, you run the risk of not getting insurance money if you are injured.

Even if you seem uninjured after a car crash, keep in mind some injuries, including serious soft tissue injuries and head injuries, may not be obvious right away. You may feel fine after the crash and then develop symptoms hours or days later. At that point, you may need help to pay for medical bills, and you may need an insurance claim and a police report to do so.

Finally, if you have been in a minor car accident and agree verbally with the driver not to report it, you run the risk of being accused of causing a hit and run. If you don’t report the accident, the other driver can still go to the police and allege you left the scene of an accident, leaving you to clear your name.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Delaware Today

If you have been in any crash, get a copy of the police report. Contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, and Bhaya can ensure the police report is accurate and your interests and future are protected. Our attorneys are available for a consultation, so contact the law firm today.