If my friend got in an accident and it was not reported to the police, what happens?
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If my friend got in an accident and it was not reported to the police, what happens?
My friend got into an accident but I do not believe it was her fault, however the other person does think it was her fault (and has all her information). We never called the police though so will they still be able to force her to pay them damages/make her insurance rates increase? Also, can they still file a report after we have already separated and left where the accident occurred?
Asked on April 5, 2011 under Accident Law, California
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Police reports of traffic accidents are not always filed if it was a minor non-injury accident. Your friend should contact her insurance company and have her insurance company and the other driver's insurance company attempt to determine who was at fault. If your friend was not at fault in the accident, her insurance premiums should not increase. However, insurance companies arbitrarily raise premiums. If your friend was not at fault in the accident, the other driver's insurance will pay the cost of repairs to her car. If your friend was at fault, her insurance will pay the cost of repairs to the other driver's car.
Since the police were not called to the scene of the accident, it is unlikely that any report will be filed after the parties have exchanged information and left if this is a non-injury accident.
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