Do you always have to report an "accident"?

Question

I was in the turn lane waiting on the light to change, when I a guy in his SUV hit my car from behind. We pulled over, and there was no damage, and we were both relieved and went our separate ways. I didn't think I needed to get his insurance or other information because there was no damage to either vehicles. However, I was informed that you can get in trouble for not reporting things like that. Is that true? And also, would what happened with us even be considered an accident? I ask because this is my first car and I have only had it for a week, so I really don't know what the protocol is in those situations, so I would like to know for future reference. Should you report things like this even if there is no damage? I definitely didn't want to cause trouble when there was none, and possibly cause his insurance to go up. He was just as scared as I was....

Answer 1

You should always exchange insurance details. However, there is no need to call the police unless there is physical injury or if the damage apparently exceeds a certain amount.

Answer 2

You don't have to report an accident unless one of the following apply: 1) one driver has no insurance. 2) you need a report because of injury or damage. 3) there is a disagreement on who caused the accident. Since it was a tap and there was no damage, it is not necessary to call the cops. Just exchange information that way if something comes up later, you have it.

Answer 3

In many states (including Ohio) you are technically required to report any collision. If no one is injured and the parties agree to handle any damages, you are normally allowed to file a report within 10 days after the collision. In the situation you describe, very few people actually file a report. The police won't pursue the issue unless someone claims damages. You should at least get enough information to contact the other party if needed.

Answer 4

Dont worry. If you both agree there was no damage, and this took place a while back, you have nothing to worry about. The only way you can get in trouble in not reporting an accident is if you 'hit and run' (driving away without checking to make sure the other guy's alright.)

Answer 5

You should always be concerned when you get rear ended. I'm not just talking about some ambulance chasing whiplash stuff but about your rear bumper. Newer bumpers are built with a energy absorbing material that looks like honeycomb. You can get hit and the stuff in the paint called flex agent can really make it look like it was no big deal when in fact the honeycomb in your bumper has done it's job and was crushed. The next time you need it to do it's job it won't be available and you and your car will be doing the energy absorbing. I always advise to go through the full meal deal as far as the reports go. Then take it to a body shop, if it's good to go then you don't have to file a claim.

Answer 6

There may be no requirement, however, occasionally I get a non-reported accident the next day, and someone is claiming damage that wasn't there the day before, or worse yet, complaining of injury.

And of course, since it was the next day, the one at fault turns the tables and blames the other driver. I even had one where the at fault driver stated the other driver fled without stopping. Fortunately for him, he showed me a slip of paper with the guy's name and number, so I knew who was lying.

I strongly suggest you ALWAYS call, it may be nothing, but you save yourself a whole lot of trouble later when the other driver goes to the police with a different story. And at this point, both vehicles moved and there is nothing for me to investigate.

Answer 7

I'm no lawyer, but I can tell you from my personal experience that it's not a requirement--at least where I lived at the time of my first accident (Ohio). I rear-ended an elderly couple, who I encouraged to get an estimate for the repair of their car (after exchanging information). They did and sent me notice on how much it would cost. So, I sent them a personal check for the cost of repair plus a little extra for their trouble.

I would say---and again I'm no lawyer---that you should report it if you think there will be something come of it. For example, several years later, I bumped someone's parked car (and did NO DAMAGE except to move the dust around on it) and there was the brother of car's owner there screaming bloody murder. So--to shut him up--and prevent getting a visit from the police when I least expected it, I called the police on my cell and asked them to come and take an accident report. No claim was even filed by the owner (because he saw it for what it was) but I was cited and had to appear in court to pay a fine.

The law is not always logical. But always exchange information at least. That way you're covered in case someone wants to claim some made up injury later. (I guess I got lucky with the elderly couple that they weren't trying to milk the situation.)

If in doubt, report.

Answer 8

No, there is no requirement that an accident be reported unless someone is injured or there is reason to believe that one of the drivers is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. I have had small collisions with no damage, both the one being hit and the one who hit the other, and have just went on about business without making a report.

Answer 9

I wouldn't worry about it. Your insurance company may require it if damage is done beyond your deductible. Otherwise, ...
Your state laws may vary. Here's my state's laws (California):
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Reporting The Accident
When you have an accident, report it to DMV within 10 days if:

More than $750 in damage was done to the property of any person.
Anyone was injured (no matter how slightly) or killed.

Answer 10

Nothing wrong with what you did. If there was no damage to either vehicle and both parties agreed to not call the police and move on -