Should you call police after a car crash? Drivers may often be unsure whether to call the police, especially if the incident seems minor. Some drivers may even try to assess the damage on their own. While you may never be involved in a car accident, it is important to know what steps to take. Being prepared helps to protect your legal rights, your best interests and even your safety.
If you were in a car accident caused by another driver, our Chattanooga car crash lawyers may be able to help you. At Massey & Associates, we are dedicated to representing our clients. Our priority is to help them recover full and fair compensation for their medical costs and other losses. If we represent you, there are no upfront costs to pay. We only recover our fees if we win your case.
Chattanooga Laws on Exchanging Info or Calling Police After a Crash
In Chattanooga, drivers involved in an accident must exchange information and call 9-1-1 to report the incident. While call takers might not dispatch an officer for minor crashes, police must be called to any accident involving an injury, death or significant property damage.
Penalties for Not Reporting a Car Crash in Tennessee
Drivers who fail to report a motor vehicle accident involving property damage, injury or death within 20 days could have their driving privileges suspended.
Why Call Police After a Chattanooga Car Crash?
Calling 9-1-1 after being involved in a car crash benefits you in many ways, especially if you sustained significant crash damage or physical injuries. First responders investigate the scene of the crash and documents various key facts about the incident, including that it actually happened. Without that documentation or police investigating the scene, a car crash could easily become one person’s word against the other’s.
The police report provides you with vital details about both vehicles involved and other pieces of evidence first responders observed at the scene. Officers will gather a statement from both drivers, as well as any witnesses who may have seen what happened. This evidence may help you recover the compensation you need for medical costs, lost wages and other losses through an insurance claim.
Having police at the scene of a traffic accident reduces chaos. These officers help manage traffic, protecting all parties involved in the crash, and help to get medical care to the scene faster. Getting EMTs to the scene is vital for any victims with severe injuries.
What Information Will a Police Officer Include in a Report?
When a police officer arrives at the scene of the car crash, he or she will ask you and the other driver for a statement about what happened. Typically, you will need to provide key information, including:
- Personal Information: Your name, address, phone number and driver’s license number.
- Insurance Details: Information about your insurance company and policy number.
- Vehicle Information: Make, model, year and license plate number of your vehicle.
- Accident Details: A description of what happened, including the date, time and location of the accident.
A police report will also have this type of information:
- Basic information: date, time and location of the incident
- Evidence collected: Documents collected at the scene of the crash such as photographs
- Officer’s Observation: The reporting officer’s personal observation of the crash
- Case Number: A unique identifier assigned to the report for tracking reference purposes.
What Information Should You Exchange With the Other Driver?
After an accident, you will need to exchange information with the other driver(s) involved in the crash. When providing this information to the other driver, be polite and stay calm.
Key details you will need to exchange so you can file a claim includes:
- Your contact details: It is standard for all parties involved to exchange their names, home addresses, email addresses and phone numbers.
- Insurance Information: This includes the insurance company name, policy number and phone number of the insurer
- Vehicle Information: Trade the license plate number, details about the car (make, model, year) and your driver’s license number.
Mistakes To Avoid When Calling the Police & Exchanging Information
Some car crash victims may not be aware of the mistakes they could make when exchanging information with the other party or dealing with the police. But knowing what these errors are can help protect your ability to recover compensation in a claim.
The most common mistakes include:
- Not Calling the Police: Call police even for minor crashes. Police reports serve as official proof the crash occurred and can help you with your legal claim.
- Admitting Fault: Do not admit fault or apologize at the scene. These statements can be used against you. Be honest, but let crash investigators assess fault.
- Failing to Exchange complete Information: Ensure you exchange and obtain all necessary and relevant information.
- Not Documenting the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, crash damage and injuries, if you can do so safely.
- Not Seeking Medical Attention: Even if you feel okay, get evaluated at a nearby ER. Internal injuries may not be immediately apparent and could put your health at risk. It could also impact your ability to link your injuries to the crash and limit your ability to recover compensation in a claim.
- Leaving the Scene Prematurely: Stay at the scene until the police arrive and you exchange information with the other driver.
- Not Getting a Copy of the Police Report: Get a copy of the police report for your records and immediately check it over to make sure there are no errors.
- Discussing the Accident Details: Avoid discussing the details of the accident with the other driver or witnesses. Only exchange necessary information.
Involved in an Accident? Call Massey & Associates for Help
If you have been involved in a car accident, Massey & Associates is here to assist you. Our legal team is dedicated to making sure your rights are protected.
Contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we may be able to help you through this difficult time. We are committed to providing the support you need.
Gary Massey, Jr., is a well-known courtroom advocate practicing law in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gary is a native of Tennessee who began practicing law in 1998. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law where he was ranked in the top 3% of his class and was an editor of the Cumberland Law Review.
