First Auto Accident, No Police Report Filed, Exchanged Insurance Information?

A 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee rear-ended the 2005 Ford Focus that I was driving at 1:45 p.m. (EST) on Friday, January 26, 2007. It was my very first accident. The offending driver, whose first name is London, and I pulled into the gas station. London said that he's been in an accident before... and he probably didn't want to have a ticket, so he never mentioned the idea of calling the police. I didn't think of calling the police, and I didn't have a cell phone on me at the time. London was cooperative, by providing his insurance information. I wrote down the Bumper Plate Identification of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, his full name, Policy #, Agency #, and VIN. I did not write down his personal driver's license ID #, nor his cell phone #, nor home address. London wrote down my name, insurance information, and other identification.

I think that the information I obtained was substantial. But will the information that I did not get, & the failure to call the police give me too much trouble?!??

nj2pa2nc

which state do you live in- In Pa when I had a fender bender like yours, we called the police. We were informed by them if the car can be driven or there are no injuries not to call them. In fact the state trooper yelled at us for calling them and keeping them from more serious problems. He told us just to exchange information with each other.

Twisted Maggie

First, always call the police even for the slightest fender-bender. Then call your insurance company the minute you are able. He was the one who caused the accident by rear-ending you, so his insurance should pay for it. Call your agent to find out what to do now. You will not get into trouble for not calling the police. They are there to help with who is in the wrong and proof of damage. Also take pictures of any damage BEFORE you get it fixed. Your insurance company may need them. Write down everything that happened as you remember it and while it is fresh in your mind.
Everyone has accidents. Best to cover yourself with a police report also next time it ever happens.
Good luck!

Billy FZ1

I think for his insurance to pay they will require a police report. I don't know what state you are in but here in NC any damage of $500 or more has to have a police report. Sorry to say it dude but I think you may have been scammed. In the future always call the police, it is better to have the report and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Lisee Pooh

I know this situation all too well, as this is how my first accident happened. I was driving and hit this guys' car on the drivers' rear side. We both pulled over, the police were called, we waited for them to come. When he came, he said that since it was such little damage, a police report was not needed. He also had us exchange insurance information (i.e. driver's name, insurance company, policy number, etc.). Then we were free to go from the scene. The guy called up his insurance company, let them know he was involved in an accident with me (it was my fault, of course) and that he had my information. His insurance company then got in contact with mine and they contacted me for verification and payment was made to him. Just make sure to call your insurance company as soon as possible. Next time, get the police to the scene....even if you have to send smoke signals....LMAO

oklatom

Yes, you should have called for a police report, but you didn't so let's forget that part of it for now.

What you need to do now is contact your insurance company and give them all the information about the accident and follow whatever they tell you to do. London may be telling HIS insurance company that you backed into him.

The insurance companies should be able to sort things out and get your car fixed.

Good luck with it.

aprilcda

well, you should have got his name and number for sure, but you can research it. and i guess it all depends on how much damage there was and if he is willing to take care of it. i worked for an insurance company for awhile, so i know from experiance. if no cops were called and no one was sited, well, if you were at fault and no witnesses or cops, tell me honestly would you pay for the damage? who's to make you, you know. you just mite have screwed your self

Garacaius

You should always call the police when you have an accident. You need an accident report that places blame and facts of the accident. The only exceptions are weather emergencies when they announce on the radio to exchange information and take care of it later. You should call your insurance agent, explain the situation and ask what you should do.

Chris

You should be fine without the police report. A lot of times the police just have you exchange information if no one was hurt. Calling them after the fact will not help you either, if you're considering doing that now. Your insurance company would only need a police report if you had no identifying information or if there were a dispute, but police reports are over rated anyway. Unless it's a serious accident or there are disputed facts or people won't exchange info, they usually don't come in handy. And police officers don't make liability decisions, insurance companies do.

gregs111

by law you are guilty of leaving the scene of an accident and if there over $400 damage insurance wont talk to you without a report

Mt ~^^~~^^~

Depending on what state you are in, you are suppose to file a report, his insurance is going to go up no matter what, so I don't see why the police were not called. Were you injured, neck pain or anything? With his policy number they will cross reference and contact him I am sure. Hopefully he didn't give you false information. We were rear ended when I was pregnant and when my husband got out of the car, saw it was a very cute young lady, he lost it, didn't get any pertinent info or NOTHING!

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