When you get into a crash, your insurance company needs to know. This is true even if you’re not positive that you’re going to make a claim or try to sue for damages. A Monmouth County auto accident lawyer can tell you why it’s important to report an accident and what kinds of problems you may have to deal with if you fail to inform your insurer.
When Do You Have to Report an Accident in New Jersey?
Drivers in New Jersey are supposed to report an accident to their insurance company as soon as possible. You want to give your insurer as many details as you can, including:
- When and where the accident happened
- The number of any police report generated, if the cops came to the scene
- How many other drivers were involved
- If there were witnesses
- Whether anyone was injured
At the same time, don’t feel obligated to overshare with your insurance company. Don’t say anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault. Answer any questions you’re asked, but keep your answers short and to the point.
Do I Have to Report an Accident If No One Was Hurt?
You should still report an accident to your insurer even if no one was hurt. Your insurance company is still going to want to know about the crash because there could be property damage. It’s also not a guarantee that no one will file a claim just because they didn’t feel injured at the scene. Someone could sue over vehicle repair bills or make a claim because of an injury that only made itself obvious later.
What Happens If I Don’t Report an Accident?
When you don’t report an accident, you’re potentially making it harder to claim compensation later. Let’s say you wait too long to report the crash and make an injury claim. This gives your insurance company an easy argument against you. They can say that you weren’t hurt in the accident. You were hurt later in an unrelated incident and want to take advantage of them.
Don’t give your insurance company this kind of opening. Report an accident right away and get to a doctor as soon as possible. Then file your claim as soon as you can.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
A lawyer can be helpful here. Insurance companies often do everything that they can to avoid paying out a significant settlement. A lawyer can help you evaluate offers to make sure that they adequately compensate you for what you have experienced. If the insurer won’t offer enough, your lawyer can try to negotiate a better settlement. If that fails, it’s time to build a case that can succeed in court in front of a judge and jury.
Talk to an Attorney
If you want to learn more about what you can do after an accident and how our lawyers can help you claim compensation, contact Falcon Law Firm. We can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Meet with our team today.
