Should You Call the Police for a Fender Bender?
A fender bender is a common and often innocuous occurrence that can cause significant frustration and stress, especially when it involves more than one party. Do I need to call the police? This question may arise when evaluating the extent of the damages, whether someone is hurt, and what steps you should take next. In this article, we will address this crucial question and outline the key factors to consider.
Should You Always Call the Police?
While there is no strict rule stating that you must call the police for a fender bender, it is always better to err on the side of caution. A quick review of the reasons below can help you determine if police intervention is necessary.
• Minor Damage (No Structural Damage): If both vehicles are functional and have minor scratches (dents, paint marks), police response is often not necessary.
• No Visible Injuries: If none of the parties involved is visibly injured or complaining of discomfort, the police do not typically need to attend the scene.
• Consent of All Parties: When all parties are cooperative, and there are no outstanding disputes or concerns about property or bodily harm, a simple exchange of information and agreement to agree on fault may suffice.
• No Blocking Traffic: If the crash is isolated and does not impede traffic flow or create a safety hazard, a police response might be avoided.
When Do You Need to Call the Police?
Despite these circumstances, there are specific scenarios where it is prudent to call the police to report a fender bender. These situations demand a response to ensure order, maintain safety, and potentially provide compensation for damage and potential harm.
• Accidents with Non-Critical Injuries (Not life-threatening): Even if someone is bruised, dazed, or in shock, having a trained emergency responder assist them may be beneficial, even if it’s just for medical evaluation or precaution.
• Uncooperative Parties or Suspected DUI: Mysterious or agitated individuals may require increased vigilance and police supervision, ensuring that everyone leaves the scene without incident. Also, in cases where either driver might have been intoxicated or distracted, DUI allegations can be handled effectively only with police participation.
• Insurance-Required Report: Sometimes, your insurance company requires you to submit a police report to receive full coverage for damages.
• Potential for Significant Property Damage: If more significant property damage is anticipated, involving expensive repairs, and it is unclear what extent of damage there will be or which party will bear the expense.
• Blocking Traffic or Pedestrian Area: A minor crash that happens near an intersection, parking lot, or pedestrian thoroughfare might warrant a response from authorities to preempt accidents and preserve traffic flow.
Why Not Always Call the Police?
Before deciding not to involve the police in your fender bender, remember the following essential considerations.
• Extra Expense and Bureaucracy: Both police time and insurance resources may be tied up responding to incidents with minor implications, leaving resources scarce for more pressing issues.
• Avoid Unnecessary Anxiety and Time-Wasting: Unwarranted calls can cause frustration and lengthy waits, as well as increase unnecessary wear and tear on emergency response services.
Responsible Response and Next Steps
Assuming you’re involved in a fender bender and have deemed a police response unnecessary (for minor damages, uneventful accidents, etc.), you can still adhere to basic safety rules and take essential steps to document and address the issue.
- Move your vehicle (if operational) to a safe spot to prevent further inconvenience and block traffic.
- Exchange contact, vehicle, and insurance information with all involved parties.
- Document the scene using photographs and notes (time, location, participants), and note any specific damage or features (color, make, model).
- Seek agreement or written documentation on whose fault it was, but only when everyone involved is consenting and in agreement.
- Contact your insurance company for guidance on reporting, submitting documents, and exploring the possibility of a reduced claim (if applicable).
- Review your personal belongings and ensure the well-being of all those involved, particularly if passengers or injured individuals are on scene.
In conclusion, deciding whether to call the police for a fender bender involves weighing potential damage, injuries, cooperation, and insurance coverage requirements. By examining these factors, you will better understand the situations where calling the police is necessary. While the response may often seem overcautious for minor fender benders, ensuring everyone’s safety, managing property damage, and exploring compensation options (with your insurance company and involved parties) are reasons enough to make the quick phone call to report a minor crash.
Quick Recap
When to NOT call the police:
- Minor damage without structural impact
- No visible injuries
- Uncontested agreements on damage or fault
- Crash not blocking traffic
When to DO call the police:
- Crashes involving non-critical injuries (evaluation or precautions)
- Uncooperative parties or suspected DUI allegations
- Insurance-required reporting
- Significant property damage expected
- Blocking traffic or pedestrian area
Responsible next steps:
- Document the scene (notes, photographs)
- Exchange contact, vehicle, and insurance information
- Obtain agreement on fault (where necessary)
- Contact insurance company for guidance
- Review your personal belongings and well-being of all those involved
By following this guideline and being aware of the various factors involved in determining when to call the police, you can more confidently handle a fender bender, ensuring both parties are satisfied and justice is served.
