How Soon Should I Report a Car Accident to My Insurance Company?

After being in a car accident, you have several pressing matters on your mind. Are you hurt? Are any of your passengers hurt? Is the driver of the other car okay? Can you safely move your vehicle off the road? Has anyone called the police yet?

Once the chaos starts to subside, another question may strike you—how soon should you report the car accident to your insurance company? The universal answer to this question is, “As soon as possible.” However, the actual deadline depends on your policy.

When to Call the Police

In general, it’s a good idea to contact law enforcement as soon as you can safely do so following a car crash. This critical evidence proves to your insurance company that you were indeed involved in an accident.

Plus, summoning the police to the scene of a crash is legally required in some instances, including if anyone is hurt or killed or public property is damaged. Under these circumstances, you are obligated to file a formal accident report within 24 hours of the incident.

The only time you don’t need to call the police is if you get into a minor accident while your area is on accident alert due to inclement weather. In this case, simply exchange information with the other driver, take photos of the damage to your car, and file an accident report online later.

When to File a Car Accident Insurance Claim

We recommend submitting a claim to your insurance company no later than 30 days after the accident. However, since failing to file “in a timely fashion” could restrict your recovery options, be sure to check your policy to see if a different deadline applies.

Keep in mind that you may continue to accumulate medical bills and lost wages that deserve compensation after submitting your claim. Still, you must get the process started if you hope to maximize your reimbursement.

When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

If another driver is at fault for your injuries, or your provider offers insufficient coverage despite filing your insurance claim on time, you should consider contacting an auto accident lawyer. You may have a year or more after the incident to file a claim, but the sooner you act, the better your chances are of receiving the compensation you deserve.

Remember, you aren’t just entitled to reimbursement for economic losses such as medical costs, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. Your motor accident lawyer can also help you receive compensation for pain and suffering, grief, and other non-economic losses. It never hurts to speak with an attorney, no matter who is at fault or the extent of your injuries.

The personal injury lawyers at Childers and Associates are here to help you maximize your reimbursement after a car accident. Choose us to represent your case, and we’ll put our 100+ years of combined experience to work for you. To schedule your free case analysis, please call our Manassas, VA office at (703) 330-6300 today.