Should You Always Call the Police After a Car Accident?

While each state has its own laws about when to notify law enforcement following a car crash, Massachusetts doesn’t require motorists to report their accidents to police immediately. Instead, Massachusetts law only requires accident reporting if someone was injured or killed or if there was $1,000 or more in property damage, and the required report must be filed in writing within five days. While Massachusetts’s accident reporting law is liberal, that doesn’t mean contacting the police is unnecessary. Should you always call the police after a car accident? Absolutely. Scroll down to explore the reasons why.

Why You Should Call the Police After an Accident

While calling the police from an accident scene isn’t required in Massachusetts, it’s best to do so. The police will not always come to the scene of a fender bender, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t call and let the police decide whether to respond.

• To ensure emergency medical help for anyone injured
• To ensure more accurate information will be gathered and reported by the police than you might remember five days later
• To get statements from witnesses and the involved parties while their memories are fresh
• To get the officer’s initial impressions of fault if the accident left you with severe injuries
• To protect public safety, as road debris, gasoline spills, or property damage could interfere with other traffic
• To ensure calm is maintained and prevent aggression
• To ensure the other motorist doesn’t leave the scene without exchanging their insurance and driver’s license information
• To get help locating the property owner when you have a single-vehicle accident, damage someone else’s property, and can’t locate the owner

What Happens If the Police Aren’t Notified?

If neither you nor the other driver call the police, you must exchange information before you leave the accident scene. Under the law, you must exchange the following information:

• Your name, address, and contact information
• Your driver’s license number
• Your license plate number
• Your auto insurance information

Make sure that you provide this information to the other driver and request the same information from them. If you can, ask to see their registration information and jot down information about who the other car is registered to if it isn’t the driver involved in your collision.

If the other vehicle was unattended, or you damaged a fence or other property, you should try to find the owner to provide your information. If you can’t locate them, leave a note with your name, a description of what happened, and your contact information so they can reach you.

If no one calls the police, you must still report the accident to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles within five days. Never leave an accident scene without exchanging information. If you do, you could face criminal charges for leaving the scene of an accident. If the other driver leaves without giving you their information, call 911 and wait for the police to respond.

Accident Claims and Calling the Police

If you suffer serious injuries and plan to step outside the no-fault system to file a claim against the other driver, calling the police from the accident scene can help strengthen your claim. This is a strong and compelling reason why you should always call the police after a car accident in Massachusetts. Even though you are not legally required to do so, calling 911 is important if anyone is killed or injured. Police officers can assist you in multiple ways following a serious accident, helping to ensure that you are physically and legally protected.

Keep in mind that even if you call the police, you still must file the written report with the Massachusetts Registry of Vehicles.

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer

If you were seriously injured in a car accident you believe was the other driver’s fault, you might be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries and other losses. To learn about your legal options and rights, contact an experienced injury lawyer at Ellis & Associates by calling 800-MR-ELLIS or sending us a message online.