When you suffer any degree of damage or injury in a car accident, you have the right to file a claim for due compensation. If you are at all familiar with the claims process, you might be familiar with the concept of a police report. You might understandably wonder, then, whether you can claim a car accident without having a police report at all.
Is It Possible to File a Claim Without a Police Report?
Yes, you can file a claim or even pursue a lawsuit without having a police report for the accident. The police report is just one form of evidence that helps paint the picture of what happened, who was present and how severe the damages were. It alone does not validate or invalidate your claim to compensation for the other party’s negligence.
However, having a police report can be a great boon to your case. It is a form of expert testimony from law enforcement investigators who were at the scene. This can expedite your case and even improve your chances of securing a more favorable settlement. If you reported the accident immediately after it happened, it is likely worth your time to retrieve the resulting police report.
What Happens if You Do Not Report a Car Accident to the Police?
While you do not always need a police report to claim compensation after an accident, there are times when reporting the accident to the police is legally required. If an accident results in injury, death or property damage exceeding $2,000, you must report it to the police. Arizona legal statute 28-667 states that an officer must then generate a report for such an accident in a timely manner.
If you file a claim without having a police report in a case in which reporting the accident was seemingly necessary, it can complicate your case. Having an experienced car accident attorney from Sargon Law Group can help you navigate these complications. We can assist you at every step of the claims process and resolve any issues regarding the police report on your behalf.
Do You Need To Report a Minor Car Accident?
It is generally advisable to report any and all car accidents after they happen, but there is typically no legal requirement for reporting an accident if there is no injury and the damage is clearly below $2,000 in value.
For this reason, it is common to successfully file a claim for a minor car accident without even having an accident report. Keep in mind, though, that the time spent reporting an accident can save you time later when you decide to file a claim, even if it seems like notifying the police might be excessive after a minor accident.
Sargon Law Group Can Help You Claim Your Accident
Even though you can claim a car accident without a police report, it can make the process more difficult. Our team at Sargon Law Group can carry the burden of your case for you, allowing you to focus on recovering from your accident no matter how complex the case may. Contact us today for a free consultation.