Do I Need to Call the Police After a Minor Accident?

Do I Need to Call the Police After a Minor Accident?

On Behalf of Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa | November 7, 2024 | Car Accidents

In Florida, you are required by law to report an accident if someone is injured or if the property damage is at least $500. Even for minor accidents, the damage is often over $500, so it's usually a good idea to call the police.

Having an official police report can help when filing insurance claims and protect you if disputes arise later. If you or a loved one has been in an accident, a Port St. Lucie car accident attorney will guide you through the next steps and help you get the compensation you deserve.

What Florida Law Says About Reporting Accidents

In Florida, the law says you must report an accident if:

• Someone is hurt or killed
• There's property damage that looks like it'll cost at least $500 to fix

Body work is expensive, so most of the time, even fender benders will cause more than $500 in damage. Better to be safe than sorry in the eyes of the law.

Why Calling the Police Can Help You

Even if the accident seems minor, calling the police can be helpful. First, they can investigate what happened, and they might find important things you didn't notice. Officers might issue citations or arrest other drivers for violating the law. Next, they will make an official report. Having a police report can make things much easier if you need to make an insurance claim later.

What to Do While Waiting for the Police

If you decide to call the police, here's what you should do while you wait:

• Move your car to a safe spot if you can
• Turn on your hazard lights
• Check if anyone is hurt
• Don't say the accident was your fault
• Take pictures of the damage and the accident scene
• Get the other driver's information (name, phone number, insurance)

When You Might Not Need to Call the Police

There are a few times when you might not need to call the police, such as if the accident is on private property (like a parking lot), if there's no damage to either car, or if no one is hurt. But even in these cases, it might still be a good idea to call, just to be safe.

Sometimes, the other driver might not want to call the police. They might say things like:

• "It's just a small scratch, let's not make a big deal."
• "I don't have time to wait for the police."
• "I'll just pay for the damage myself."

Be careful in these situations. It's usually best to call the police anyway. The other driver might change their mind later about paying, or damage that looked small at first might turn out to be worse.

How Long Will It Take for the Police to Come?

In Port St. Lucie, how long it takes for the police to come depends on how busy officers are, how serious the accident is, and where the collision occurred. For minor accidents, you might have to wait a while. But it's usually worth the wait to have an official report.

What to Do If the Police Don't Come

Sometimes, if the accident is very minor, the police might not come. If this happens:

• Exchange information with the other driver anyway
• Take pictures
• Write down what happened
• File a report online or at the police station later

This way, you'll still have a record of what happened.

How a Port St. Lucie Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you've been in a seemingly minor accident and aren't sure what to do next, we can help. Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa Attorneys at Law will guide you through the process, help with insurance claims, and ensure you get fair compensation for any damages or injuries. Call us at 561-478-2500 or contact us online for a free case review.