Why You Should Call the Police If You Were in a Car Accident

Sometimes after a minor accident, you might think it’s okay to leave the scene after you’ve talked with the other driver. While many people do this, it can sometimes lead to unnecessary consequences, such as getting a ticket for fleeing the scene of the accident. If you need help resolving a speeding ticket or other traffic violations, contact the Law Office of Heather C. Ford today.

Continue reading this guide to learn why it’s important to call the police if you were in a car accident:

Hi, this is Heather Ford, and I am a traffic ticket attorney. Let me offer an idea of why you might want to call the police if you’re involved in a car accident, even if it’s like a little bump.

Now, I will say: I know I’m saying something, but I’m not following my own advice. A couple of weeks ago, I was in traffic, and this guy actually hit us from behind. I got out of the car to look around, everything looked good, and we took off. But I will say, we did take some pictures and a little bit of video. I have seen a couple of instances where my clients have been charged with hit and run because they’ve left the scene of an accident.

What happens is they get out of the car, and everyone says, “Hey, everything’s good.” And then you leave, and then that person maybe doesn’t leave or they arrive back around. Then they call the police. And they’re the only person there to tell their story. In that instance, the police might track you down and give you a ticket for leaving the scene of the accident. Or I’ve definitely seen people charged with hit and run. I’ve also seen in that instance where maybe there are now more people involved in the accident than maybe we originally were, and they file a claim against your insurance.

So my other recommendation is to get a dashcam. This can help because it can show what happened. But again, if you’re in a little bump and you feel like it’s not that serious, take some pictures and get the other person’s information. That way, if anything comes up, you can definitely show that you weren’t fleeing the scene, that you made contact, and you guys had made a call that you can move on.

After you get into an accident, even if it is minor, it’s best practice to call the police. This can prevent you from getting into legal trouble for leaving the accident scene. If you have any more questions or if you need help resolving a ticket, call the Law Office of Heather C. Ford today.

Find more helpful resources:

• 7 Questions To Ask A Traffic Lawyer Before Hiring Them
• What Happens If You Cause A Car Accident Because Of Speeding?
• 8 Steps To Take After Getting Pulled Over For Speeding
• The Possible Consequences Of Unpaid Traffic Tickets