If I Get in an Auto Accident & I Do Not Report It, Is It Illegal?

You should always report severe accidents as soon as possible.

Whether they result in minor scrapes or costly traffic pileups, automobile accidents are common occurrences. The actions you take directly after an accident can be crucial to the future.

Legality

If both drivers involved in the accident decide that no damage has occurred, they can agree to leave the incident unreported. Under state laws, it is illegal to allow an accident to go unreported if damage has been sustained to a vehicle, a person has been injured or loss of life has occurred. Leaving the scene of an accident under these conditions is considered a "felony hit and run" and is punishable under criminal charges, which vary depending on the state and the situation.

Delayed Report

If, for some reason, you are unable to report the incident immediately, gather information such as the names and license plate numbers of those involved in the accident. You may also want to consider taking pictures. Notes and photographs will help you remember small details once you are finally able to file a report. You should also take these steps if you have collided with an unattended car; try to contact the owner as soon as possible.

Warning

Aside from legality issues, you should report car accidents because, even if things initially seem fine, internal car damage or bodily injuries may surface in the future.

References

• Car Accident Attorneys: Should I Report my Car Accident?
• Find Law: Leaving the Scene of an Accident/Hit and Run