How to Report a Traffic Accident to the State
Whether a fender bender or major accident with injuries, a car accident must be reported. The laws of the state where the accident occurred determines which reports must be filed and the process for doing so. Typical reports include a police report, record of accident to your insurance company and traffic accident report to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent transportation authority that governs your state. Even if an accident seems insignificant, it is best to report it.
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Things You'll Need
- Copy of your insurance card
- Copy of your vehicle registration
- Details about the accident
- State traffic accident report form or your state's equivalent
Instructions
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Keep a thorough accident file. Gather all pertinent documentation, including detailed notes about the accident and vehicle and insurance information for all parties involved. Store documents in an easily accessible file.
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Request a copy of the police report for your accident file.
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Phone your auto insurance company. Contact your insurance company to verify that it reported to the state on your behalf.
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Download a copy of your state's traffic accident report form from the website of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or other transportation authority for your state, or visit the nearest transportation authority office or police station in person.
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Do not procrastinate in reporting you accident to the state. Fill out all parts of the form and file it within the required time frame (typically, from 24 hours to one week after the accident).
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Tips & Warnings
Not all states require drivers to report auto accidents to the state. Contact your local DMV or police station for requirements.
Do not assume your fender bender is too insignificant to report. Notify the DMV, police or insurance company of any accident; the authorities will direct you if no official report must be filed.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Luxury car crash image by Dmitriy Lesnyak from Fotolia.com man with red file image by Valentin Mosichev from Fotolia.com woman with a phone image by Vasiliy Koval from Fotolia.com calendar image by .shock from Fotolia.com
