No police reports given after an accident?
01-20-2012, 11:19 PM
#1
No police reports given after an accident? This happened in Montgomery county (Maryland)
My sister got into an accident tonight and was told she couldn't get a police report because there was no tow truck or ambulance needed for anyone. (3 car accident)
First off is this true? If it is, whats to stop the person who hit her from lying to her insurance after the fact?!
Its just odd.
My sister got into an accident tonight and was told she couldn't get a police report because there was no tow truck or ambulance needed for anyone. (3 car accident)
First off is this true? If it is, whats to stop the person who hit her from lying to her insurance after the fact?!
Its just odd.
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01-21-2012, 01:35 AM
#5
Determining fault and damages is a civil matter. The police do not handle civil matters; that's the courts job. The only reason for the police to take a report would be if there are injuries or if the accident was caused by one of the involved parties breaking the law.
01-21-2012, 02:57 PM
#7
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I know in PA, at least from what my insurance agent told me, if any car is disabled in an accident the police are supposed to be called and write a report. You can always call them at an accident and request a report.
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01-21-2012, 10:14 PM
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Yea in NY they are not required to write a report unless there are injuries or significant damage. Most of the time, unless the officer witnesses the accident, the report won't determine fault anyway. It's up to the insurance companies to sort it out.
02-04-2012, 11:37 AM
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Yea, this same thing happened to me. I called the city PD and an officer came out but didn't write a report. It definitely weakened my case with the insurance company.
02-15-2012, 05:25 PM
#15
I know this is old...
Carfax does not use Police Reports..... Carfax gets the information from major body shops, mechanical shops and insurance companies.
In PA, we have whats called REPORTABLE and NON REPORTABLE accidents. Dont get me wrong, EVERYTHING we do, gets a report... but that is not the report that is refered to above. The report that is always done is an INCIDENT report, and the public is not always privledged to have those.
Now, a non reportable accident is the term given to an accident where, no injuries occured, no property damage (outside of the vehicles) occured, and that all the vehicles are driveable.....
A reportable accident is one where we fill out a form, either carbon copied form by hand, or a computer form, that is uploaded right to PENN-DOT. It gives all types of information for PENN-DOT to annalyse roadways.... Which brings me to my last point...
ACCIDENT reports from REPORTABLE ACCIDENTS are completed for the sake of PENN DOT to improve roadways...... Believe it or not, if you are driving your vehicle and it catches on fire while driving, I MUST do a reportable accident report. PENN DOT then takes that information, stores it, and if it is a repeat problem, the roadway will be checked out to see if it can be improved to avoid vehicles struggling and bursting in to flames. Keep in mind, that is a very extreme example. But my point is, that REPORTABLE accident forms are for the Department Of Transportation to improve roadways, and roadway safety.
One last example.... it is through our Reportable accident reports that some traffic lights, stop signs and other safety oriented changes are made, based on a certain amount of serious injury, or fatalities at said points.
Again, I know this was an older thread but hope that clarifies things.
PS- In PA, a subject involved may not even be given a REPORTABLE ACCIDENT FORM.... however they will be given a OFFICIAL, NOTIFICATION OF ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION form... On that form, it has all of the information for the parties and individuals involved for the sake of insurance companies to handle civil matters........
Sorry bout my spelling mistakes... Im typing fast.
Carfax does not use Police Reports..... Carfax gets the information from major body shops, mechanical shops and insurance companies.
In PA, we have whats called REPORTABLE and NON REPORTABLE accidents. Dont get me wrong, EVERYTHING we do, gets a report... but that is not the report that is refered to above. The report that is always done is an INCIDENT report, and the public is not always privledged to have those.
Now, a non reportable accident is the term given to an accident where, no injuries occured, no property damage (outside of the vehicles) occured, and that all the vehicles are driveable.....
A reportable accident is one where we fill out a form, either carbon copied form by hand, or a computer form, that is uploaded right to PENN-DOT. It gives all types of information for PENN-DOT to annalyse roadways.... Which brings me to my last point...
ACCIDENT reports from REPORTABLE ACCIDENTS are completed for the sake of PENN DOT to improve roadways...... Believe it or not, if you are driving your vehicle and it catches on fire while driving, I MUST do a reportable accident report. PENN DOT then takes that information, stores it, and if it is a repeat problem, the roadway will be checked out to see if it can be improved to avoid vehicles struggling and bursting in to flames. Keep in mind, that is a very extreme example. But my point is, that REPORTABLE accident forms are for the Department Of Transportation to improve roadways, and roadway safety.
One last example.... it is through our Reportable accident reports that some traffic lights, stop signs and other safety oriented changes are made, based on a certain amount of serious injury, or fatalities at said points.
Again, I know this was an older thread but hope that clarifies things.
PS- In PA, a subject involved may not even be given a REPORTABLE ACCIDENT FORM.... however they will be given a OFFICIAL, NOTIFICATION OF ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION form... On that form, it has all of the information for the parties and individuals involved for the sake of insurance companies to handle civil matters........
Sorry bout my spelling mistakes... Im typing fast.
02-16-2012, 10:00 AM
#17
Happened to me in Dallas, TX. Semi-truck side swiped me going down the high way. Trashed my door and freaked the hell out of me. Called the police and they asked: "Is anyone hurt?" - No. "Okay, just get his insurance information. We won't send a unit."
Later on, the trucker's insurance company demanded a police report. Since no unit was sent to the indecent, there was not police report. I called Dallas PD, and they had no record of anything. I took my car to get the damaged estimated for repairs. Came out to higher than I thought, but since I have a $1000 deductible, I didn't want to get my insurance company involved plus it would go on my record. Therefore, I had to settle for whatever the trucker's insurance company would offer, which was about $450 less than the average estimates I got. They said in order to replace a door, there was absolutely no reason to blend or paint around the corners of the fenders (all of which I was told is industry standard for warranty through body shops).
In the end.. I said screw it and took what they gave me to swap an ls2 in my ride. I'm still rocking the hole in my door
Later on, the trucker's insurance company demanded a police report. Since no unit was sent to the indecent, there was not police report. I called Dallas PD, and they had no record of anything. I took my car to get the damaged estimated for repairs. Came out to higher than I thought, but since I have a $1000 deductible, I didn't want to get my insurance company involved plus it would go on my record. Therefore, I had to settle for whatever the trucker's insurance company would offer, which was about $450 less than the average estimates I got. They said in order to replace a door, there was absolutely no reason to blend or paint around the corners of the fenders (all of which I was told is industry standard for warranty through body shops).
In the end.. I said screw it and took what they gave me to swap an ls2 in my ride. I'm still rocking the hole in my door
Last edited by Lockdown99ss; 02-16-2012 at 10:53 AM.
02-21-2012, 10:17 AM
#20
I used to work in a dealership. We had a carfax rep come in and give a talk about how it works and how to use it to sell cars.
They said flat out they use police reports only, but people trust it as the end all be all for telling if a cars been in an accident which isn't true.
They said flat out they use police reports only, but people trust it as the end all be all for telling if a cars been in an accident which isn't true.