The police and other law enforcement officers who investigate automobile accidents must file written accident reports if an accident results in bodily injury or death or substantial damage to property. It does not take much damage at current repair costs to exceed the statutory minimum, so it is always a good idea to contact the police.
In some cases, the parties may decide not to involve the police. Although this may be less time consuming, the police provide a valuable investigatory resource. If you are involved in a car accident it is always best to call the police to come out to the scene, even if you do not feel like you were injured at the time.
The police report will include information from the accident scene such as point of impact and length of skid marks, which may help establish which driver was at fault. In many cases where the police are not called, especially where there are no witnesses, the other driver may be more likely to later deny fault for the accident.
It is also a good idea to consult with a car accident attorney for assistance with dealing with auto accident cases when bodily injury is involved.
