Should You Always Call the Police After a Car Accident?

It’s best to call the police to assess the accident scene, determine how it happened, and document necessary information.

Imagine you’ve just been in a car accident. The other driver is apologetic and says they will pay for the damages. They exchange insurance information, and you go your separate ways. It may seem like everything worked out okay.

While it may be tempting to simply deal with the other driver, there are several reasons you should call the police after a car accident. This article will explain four reasons you should not deal with the other driver after a car accident and why it is best to call the police.

There’s No Way of Knowing if the Other Driver Is Actually Insured

Sure, the other driver has given you their information, but that doesn’t mean they’re actually insured. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute, about 13% of drivers are uninsured. So what does this mean for you if you get into an accident with one of these drivers? If they don’t have insurance and can’t pay for the damages, you may have to foot the bill yourself. And even if you have insurance, your rates could go up because you had an accident with an uninsured driver.

The Other Driver May Not Be Telling the Truth About What Happened

Maybe from your account of the accident, it’s clear who was at fault. However, what if the other driver isn’t being truthful about what happened? It’s not uncommon for people to try and lie out of an accident to avoid being held responsible. If you take the other driver’s word for what happened, you could be left paying for damages that were actually their fault.

The Other Driver Could Change Their Story Later

Even if the other driver seems sincere about taking responsibility for the accident, they could always change their story later. Once they speak with their insurance company or an attorney, they may try to back out of their original agreement and place the blame on you.

You Could Be Putting Yourself in Danger by Dealing with the Other Driver

Car accidents are often emotional experiences. The last thing you want to do is get into a heated argument with the other driver. Dealing with the other driver could also make you physically vulnerable if they become aggressive.

As you can see, there are several reasons why it’s important to involve the police after a car accident. It’s always best to call the police to assess the accident scene and determine how the accident happened. The police can also help you in the following ways:

• They can help you exchange insurance information with the other driver.
• They can provide you with a copy of the police report, which can be used as evidence if the other driver tries to change their story later.
• Lastly and most importantly, they can help diffuse tensions between the parties involved so that everyone remains calm and collected.

Speak With a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

There’s no need to go through the aftermath of a car accident alone. An experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer at The Hoffman Law Firm can help. We have 25 years of experience protecting the rights of injured St. Louis car accident victims and can do the same for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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