# Pros & Cons of calling Police in an accident **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [October 8, 2022, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790 "2022-10-08T21:01:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/89 "2022-10-15T21:34:56Z")
The last time i was in Daytona, Bill France, Sr. was still running Nascar. ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 11:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/90 "2022-10-15T23:34:24Z")
> [@bing](#): > > I didn’t realize this but apparently the state patrol in Minnesota issues tickets if you slide off a slippery road into the ditch. It has happened in Illinois too. It’s “Improper lane usage”. Someone had a brake issue and pulled off the road. Got a ticket for that. I guess they want you to just stop in the middle of the highway if there is no shoulder. ---
**Author:** ![Beancounter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/59ef9b/32.png) [@Beancounter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beancounter)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 11:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/91 "2022-10-15T23:43:38Z")
Hesitant as I am to interrup a scholarly discussion on deer carcases, NASCAR, Southern States, etc. 1. Unless they’re actually present the Police don’t determine the facts. 2. Regardless, if they are willing, a Police Report is always a good statement of the facts. 3. The police are NOT the final arbitor of the facts but they can supply meaninful evidence. Bottom Line 1. Call the police to report it, if only to get it on the record. 2. Demand proof of LIcense, Title and Insurance. 3. If the Offending Party (OP) is unable or unwilling to provide #2 refer to #1 And remember that your insurance company is on your side, if only to minimize the amount that they have to pay, ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 1:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/93 "2022-10-26T01:31:47Z")
> [@David-John](#): > > if an accident had happened you must do the following steps Depends on the state. Each state has their own laws on traffic accidents. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 1:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/94 "2022-10-26T01:40:47Z")
Good luck gettin the vin. Hard enough in day light with a magnifying glass, but at night shaking . . . ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 2:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/95 "2022-10-26T02:41:59Z")
> [@bing](#): > > Good luck gettin the vin. Hard enough in day light with a magnifying glass, but at night shaking Wouldn’t it be on the vehicles registration documents. Cell phones have cameras. I’ve used it many times to read something. Take pic, then expand photo. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/96 "2022-10-26T11:10:56Z")
> [@David-John](#): > > if an accident had happened you must do the following steps Must do? That’s a pretty strong statement. The only thing I must do is keep breathing, eat, and poop. And depending on the accident I may have already taken care of the last item. What you **should** do is follow the requirements of the state you are in. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 12:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/97 "2022-10-26T12:38:49Z")
There is often a VIN plaque in the lower corner of the windshield on the drivers side. Just take a photo with your phone. You should also share drivers license and registration with the other driver. As @MikeInNH said, get a picture of both. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 2:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/98 "2022-10-26T14:23:44Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > There is often a VIN plaque in the lower corner of the windshield And also on the drivers door jamb. It’s easier to photo without having angled glass to reflect things. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 4:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/99 "2022-10-26T16:36:05Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > The police are an independent observer. They have no horse in the race, and therefore no reason to mislead or obfuscate. You clearly have never been hit by an off duty drunk police officer driving his own vehicle. The only time NOT to file a police report is when you bump into something like a tree and the only damage is minor damage to your vehicle. In that situation, the police may (depending on the police district) show up with a tow truck that you don’t need, but the vehicle will be towed anyway. But if any accident involves another vehicle, even if it is very minor and in a private parking lot, get a police report. My sister got rear ended by a drunk once, no visible damage to either vehicle, just a low speed bump. She did not call the police but did exchange info with the other driver. Later that night, the drunk was involved in a major hit and run accident, the other drive ran but he gave the police my sisters info so they came out and arrested her. Didn’t last long as it was clear that her unblemished car did not total another car that night. My daughter had a similar situation. She bumped another car at a drive through. They exchanged info and reported the accident to her insurance. Almost two years later, he filed a claim for a totaled car and large hospital bills. The insurance company did not investigate because they had been notified of the accident and paid the claim without even calling my daughter, they just dropped her insurance suddenly. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 6:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/100 "2022-10-26T18:49:29Z")
@keith - thanks for sharing - Do you think a Dashcam recordings might be an alternative? ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 7:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/101 "2022-10-26T19:30:15Z")
Depends if you are guilty or innocent. If you have one it is evidence to both sides if you ever get to court. ---
**Author:** ![wavyonwheels](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wavyonwheels/32/17969_2.png) [@wavyonwheels](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wavyonwheels)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 10:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/102 "2022-10-26T22:37:44Z")
> [@Renegade](#): > > sugar sand ??What is that? ---
**Author:** ![wavyonwheels](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wavyonwheels/32/17969_2.png) [@wavyonwheels](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wavyonwheels)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/103 "2022-10-26T22:45:08Z")
It is NORTH Carolina. 🙄 But I am told the folk there are very friendly. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/104 "2022-10-26T23:08:09Z")
> [@old\_mopar\_guy](#): > > The only area in the South where i feel comfortable is southeast Florida, where it feels like the 6th borough of New York City. Aaannnd that is the reason I live on the west coast of Florida! We have reached our New York and New Jersey limits in the west 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/105 "2022-10-26T23:10:50Z")
Sugar sand is very white, fine sand that is found on many Florida Gulf Coast beaches. Not that brown gritty sand found on the northern Atlantic coast stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 11:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/106 "2022-10-26T23:11:14Z")
> [@Renegade](#): > > sugar sand It is like quicksand only it is dry maybe some one can explain it better. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 12:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/107 "2022-10-27T00:06:30Z")
As a liberal Democrat from the northeast i’d feel as welcome on the west coast of Florida as a skunk at a garden party. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 12:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/108 "2022-10-27T00:27:14Z")
That is in your head, not the area. My brother from another mother is originally from NJ. I suspect his politics are Dem but we don’t talk about it so I don’t know nor care… ---
**Author:** ![LoudThunder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loudthunder/32/27769_2.png) [@LoudThunder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LoudThunder)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 2:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790/109 "2022-10-27T02:34:49Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > You should also share drivers license and registration with the other driver. As @MikeInNH said, get a picture of both. > [@jtsanders](#): > > You should also share drivers license and registration with the other driver. As @MikeInNH said, get a picture of both. I would suggest you get a photo of the other driver also… You do not want the other driver claiming their car was stolen and the person who had the accident was not them… And be sure to photograph everything else. Your car, their car, all of their car, so they do not claim more damage later, the skid marks, location of skip marks. stop signs, foliage around signs, street light, if at night. It’s not like you are paying for film when you are photographing on your phone…, You might even want to set you phone to video when you are talking the other driver, you might not get video but you’ll get teh audio… [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790.md?page=4) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pros-cons-of-calling-police-in-an-accident/186790.md?page=6)