If you were in a minor car accident, it might not seem like a big deal, especially if the damage to your car is minimal. The other driver may not want you to report the accident for a number of reasons — maybe their license is suspended, or they don’t want their insurance to go up — but ultimately, reporting the accident is the right thing to do.

What Should I Do After a Minor Car Accident?

If you were involved in a minor car accident, you might be inclined not to tell the police about it. However, if anyone was hurt in the accident at all, or if there is more than $500 worth of damage to your car or property, you need to report the accident. Once you have gotten to a safe space, start by calling the police and explaining what happened and who was involved. If possible, assess any damage on your vehicle or property and collect evidence that helps to illustrate what happened. For instance, you can take steps like the following:
  • Take close-up, clear photos of the damage
  • Collect the contact information of the at-fault party
  • Gather the name of all insurance companies and policies
  • Write down or take a picture of the at-fault party’s license plate number
Unfortunately, at-fault drivers are known for fleeing the scene of the crime. If this happens, do not worry about tracking down their information yourself. Instead, just make sure to tell the police as much information about what happened as you can remember. The authorities can work to track down the person at fault with things like photos, videos, and witness statements.

Why Should I Report a Minor Car Accident?

Reporting a car accident, even if it was just a minor one, can help you seek compensation for the damages you have to pay. Any damage to a car can be expensive, and you should not have to bear the burden of paying when you are not the person at fault. Also, even if you suffered a small injury, even a brief trip to the doctor or a day or two off of work can end up being costly. Reporting the accident will help ensure that your insurance company and the insurance company of the at-fault driver are able to assess what happened and provide you with the financial support you need.

Do I Need a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident?

While you are not required to have a lawyer after being involved in a minor car accident, it can be incredibly useful to have a legal team fighting for your rights. Remember, insurance companies are for-profit, so the at-fault driver’s company might push back and deny your claim, try to lower how much they owe you, or even try to pin the accident on you. Having the right legal team by your side can help you avoid such stressful complications and get this situation settled as soon as possible.

Contact a Skilled Car Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible

To ensure you do the right thing to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property, you need to report a minor car accident. Our team at Lamar Law Office, LLC knows the confusion and hassle that can arise after reporting an accident, so we work to make things easier for you. As experienced lawyers in Georgia, we are always prepared to fight back against an at-fault party’s dispute of your claim and are there to advocate for all of your needs. Let us take the situation off of your hands and navigate it for you. Contact us today, and we will listen to the details of your specific case.