Navigating Reporting Requirements for Motor Vehicle Accidents

Understand when and how you must report a car accident

By Andra DelMonico, J.D. | Reviewed by Canaan Suitt, J.D. | Last updated on May 21, 2024 Featuring practical insights from contributing attorneys Ann S. Jacobs and Justin W. Pimenta

Use these links to jump to different sections:

When you experience a motor vehicle accident, it can feel disorienting and overwhelming. The last thing on your mind may be reporting requirements. While ensuring everyone is OK is the priority, your next step is to notify the appropriate authorities.

Accident reporting is one of the duties you agree to when getting your driver’s license. Understanding reporting requirements and why they matter can help you take the proper steps after your next accident.

When Are Car Crash Reports Required by Law?

States require drivers to report accidents that meet injury and property damage value thresholds. A motor vehicle accident over the reporting threshold is required to be reported. You can voluntarily report accidents that are below the threshold.

Typically, there must be significant property damage, injury, or fatality for the accident to qualify for required reporting. Drivers who are victims of a hit-and-run accident must also report the accident. Otherwise, they could also be at risk of being accused of a hit-and-run.

Accident reporting requirements vary by state laws. All states require drivers to report an accident where someone is injured or killed. Property damage thresholds for required reporting range from any value of property damage to $3,000.

Some states also implement unique circumstances. Alabama requires you to report an accident involving an uninsured motorist. Arizona requires reporting when the involved parties cannot reach a settlement within six months. Oregon requires reporting if a vehicle is towed from the accident scene. North Dakota has a reporting exception for accidents that involve a single vehicle and an undomesticated animal.

Ann Jacobs, a personal injury lawyer representing car accident victims in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, explains how Wisconsin doesn’t have the same reporting requirements as other states. “[Legally required accident reporting] is really not a thing here. The most important thing about reporting your accident is immediately reporting it to your own insurance company because your insurance policy usually requires you to do so.”

The most important thing about reporting your accident is immediately reporting it to your own insurance company because your insurance policy usually requires you to do so.

Ann S. Jacobs

Do Minor Car Accidents Need to Be Reported?

Local police typically require you to report a car accident when the property damage is over a particular threshold. A minor accident would create damage below that amount. You can still report minor accidents, but you are not required to. Many people choose not to report a minor accident because they do not want their insurance rates to increase. However, there are risks to not reporting an accident.

Even a minor accident can cause personal injury. Another driver may say they are fine at the scene of the accident, then discover one or more injuries in the days or weeks following. If you don’t get a police report or notify your insurance company, you will have a harder time proving innocence. Having a police report is a valuable source for the basic facts of the accident. It can help you defend against fraudulent or incorrect insurance claims.

The only minor accidents you can safely not report are those where the accident only involves your vehicle and takes place on your property. There were also no injuries, and the only damage was done to your property.

A driver should immediately call their employer [if the accident occured in a company car].

Justin W. Pimenta

Who Do You Have to Report the Accident To?

There are multiple parties that motorists need to report their accidents to. Local law enforcement, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and your insurance company need to know about the accident. You should have the following information ready when you make your report:

  • Driver names
  • Vehicle information
  • Phone number
  • Insurance information
  • Witness information
  • Facts of events

1. Reporting to Law Enforcement

You need to notify law enforcement as soon as possible after the accident. Typically, people call from the accident scene. They wait for a police officer to arrive at the scene and prepare a police report. The investigating officer will ask for all relevant information, including:

  • Contact information
  • Driver’s license number
  • Insurance information
  • Observable damage
  • Reported injuries
  • Facts of the accident as described by witnesses

If one or more drivers violate traffic law, the officer will issue the appropriate citations. Once completed, the officer will provide all involved parties with a copy of the report and tell them they are free to leave.

Justin Pimenta, who represents personal injury clients for Abrahamson & Uiterwyk in Tampa, Florida, highlights the importance of reporting an accident when driving a company car. “Drivers should also notify FHP [Florida Highway Partrol] that they are in a company vehicle so that the company name can be listed in the crash report.”

The appropriate law enforcement agency to notify can change depending on your location. Thankfully, agencies are well-versed in jurisdictional territories. If you notify one, they can alert the correct police department, such as the county sheriff, highway patrol, or state police.

2. Reporting to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

All states require you to report your motor vehicle crash to the Department of Motor Vehicles DMV. You can generally do this online, in person, or by mail. There is a form you fill out, and you will need to provide any required documents. If you alert local law enforcement and they prepare a police report, then you don’t need to report your accident to the DMV. Law enforcement notifies the DMV for you.

3. Reporting to Insurance Companies

You need to report the accident to your insurance company. For many companies, you can do this through an app, the website, or by calling. Have your policy number and copy of the police report ready. This puts the insurance company on notice that there could be injuries and property damage. An adjuster will then begin an investigation that involves contacting the involved parties and responding to local law enforcement. Not all insurance claims result in a large payout. However, even small claims require a thorough investigation.

How Soon Must an Accident Be Reported?

The deadline for reporting a traffic accident can vary significantly depending on its location. State requirements are immediate, 3, 4, 5, 10, or 30 days. Some unique requirements exist, such as six months in Arizona or four hours in Puerto Rico.

Some states have reporting requirements that differ depending on the facts of the accident. For example, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma require immediate reporting if there is a death or injury. They have reporting deadlines of 10, 30, and six months, respectively, for qualifying property damage accidents. It is best to report the accident from the scene to avoid any issues. This is when the evidence is fresh and all parties are present. That way, you can get an accurate police report. You also don’t have to worry about missing the reporting deadline later.

Pimenta stresses the importance of timing when reporting an accident. “A driver should immediately call their employer,” he says. Delaying notification can bring additional consequences for the company and the driver.

What Can Happen If You Don’t Report the Accident?

There are potential civil, legal, and insurance consequences for not reporting your auto accident. When you don’t report your accident, you won’t have a police report. This will put you at a disadvantage when proving the fault of the other party in the accident. A judge or jury may suspect you have something to hide, so you didn’t report the accident. You may also face more intense questioning about why you chose not to report the accident.

The penalties for not reporting your accident can vary depending on the state. They could be simply paying a fine. They could include a non-moving traffic violation resulting in a suspended or revoked driver’s license. In some states, it is a criminal violation, usually a misdemeanor.

You may also face insurance consequences. The insurance company could raise your premiums, deny the claim, refuse to represent you in the related accident lawsuit, deny future coverage, or cancel your policy.

While you are not required to report minor car accidents, it is best to play it safe and report any and all car accidents that you are involved in. Start by reporting the accident to the local law enforcement agency. They will prepare a report and notify the DMV for you. Then, notify your insurance company and provide them with the necessary documentation. If you are unsure of your responsibilities, speaking with a car accident attorney can give you valuable insight. They can explain your reporting requirements and legal options.  

Visit the Super Lawyers directory to find a car accident injury lawyer who practices in your state.

Was this helpful?

What do I do next?

Enter your location below to get connected with a qualified attorney today.
0 suggestions available Use up and down arrow keys to navigate. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures.

At Super Lawyers, we know legal issues can be stressful and confusing. We are committed to providing you with reliable legal information in a way that is easy to understand. Our legal resources pages are created by experienced attorney writers and writers that specialize in legal content in consultation with the top attorneys that make our Super Lawyers lists. We strive to present information in a neutral and unbiased way, so that you can make informed decisions based on your legal circumstances.

0 suggestions available Use up and down arrow keys to navigate. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures.

Find top lawyers with confidence

The Super Lawyers patented selection process is peer influenced and research driven, selecting the top 5% of attorneys to the Super Lawyers lists each year. We know lawyers and make it easy to connect with them.

Find a lawyer near you