Do Minor Car Accidents Have to be Reported?

If a driver is struck while in a parking lot, chances are the injuries sustained will be minor, if at all. These minor car accidents are often referred to as “fender benders” and can happen when a driver is backing out of a parking spot and doesn’t see another vehicle behind them or because a driver misjudged the stopping distance and bumped into the car ahead of them. However, this does not mean that a minor car accident only results in minor damages. While a car may not be totaled, a driver who misjudges the stopping distance between you and their vehicle and slams into you going 45 miles per hour can still result in serious injuries, like broken bones or a concussion. Even if the damage to your vehicle appears to be minimal or if you feel fine at the time of the accident, that doesn’t mean the accident was minor. 

After being involved in a minor car accident, do you need to contact your insurance company? What about the police? Learn more below. 

Do I Need to Call My Insurance Company After a Fender Bender?

After an accident, many drivers fear that their insurance premiums will go up if they report the incident. This is why so many people tend to avoid calling the insurance company if they were involved in a minor accident that looks to involve little to no damage. Many falsely believe that things can just be worked out between them and the other driver involved. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. 

New Jersey drivers are required to report their accident to the local police department if it resulted in any injuries, death or property damage of at least $500. However, you might not know that you were injured or the total cost of getting your vehicle repaired. It is very common for certain injuries to take longer to manifest after an accident. These include:

• Concussions
• Whiplash
• Neck and back pain

If these injuries pop up a few days or weeks after the accident and you didn’t notify your insurance company, they might deny your claim. Similarly, the damage to your vehicle may be much more extensive than it originally appeared. So, while the attempt to avoid an increase in insurance premiums, you will actually have more out of pocket expenses due to not reporting the accident. 

Do I Need to Call the Police?

As noted earlier, New Jersey drivers are required to report their accident to law enforcement if there were any injuries, deaths or damage to the vehicle of $500. However, contacting law enforcement is beneficial because of the police report they will file. This police report will include pertinent information regarding the accident, including how and where it happened, the names of everyone involved, their insurance information and names of any witnesses. If a driver’s injuries require them to be out of work for a prolonged time and want to file a personal injury claim to hold the negligent party liable for their carelessness, this police report will come in handy when it’s time to conduct the investigation into what happened. 

Contact An Edison Personal Injury Lawyer To Discuss Your Car Accident Case In New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. represent clients injured because of car accidents in Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, and Union Counties and throughout New Jersey. Call 732-564-7165 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. has two offices conveniently located in Edison New Jersey, as well as offices in Brick, Freehold and Point Pleasant. The main office of Lombardi and Lombardi, P.A. is at 1862 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.