How long do you have to stay at the scene of a minor auto accident?
In California if you are involved in a minor auto accident, and you have already taken/given all the auto insurance info required, how long do you need to stay or do you even need to stay and wait for an officer?
In many cases, the answer to this question depends on the specific jurisdiction.
Generally, non-injury accidents that occur on private property (such as in the parking lot of a business) will not require a police report. You would simply exchange information and report it to your insurance company. My department will not take these reports even if you ask unless there is some complication (no insurance, no license, drunk driver, etc). In these cases your insurance companies are responsible for investigating the accident based upon the statements of the involved parties. Since the Officer was not present to witness the accident they have nothing to add to the report unless they do an accident reconstruction investigation – which will almost never be done on a simple property damage accident on private property.
Accidents that occur on public streets generally require police contact, although some of the time no official report is generated.
If you are involved in an accident and you have any question you should simply call your local Police Department and ask if they want to come out. If either party to an accident calls the police and they indicate they will respond, my best advice would be that you wait there for however long it takes. Once the Police have indicated they think it is necessary for them to respond, there is no magic time limit after which you can leave. While you may be able to avoid a ‘hit and run’ charge by exchanging information prior to leaving, it would not look good for you with the insurance investigators if the Officer DOES decide to take a report and notes in that report that you left the scene prior to their arrival.
Go, they don’t want the paperwork
References :
If damage is under $1,000, it is a non-reportable accident. You can leave.
References :
In many cases, the answer to this question depends on the specific jurisdiction.
Generally, non-injury accidents that occur on private property (such as in the parking lot of a business) will not require a police report. You would simply exchange information and report it to your insurance company. My department will not take these reports even if you ask unless there is some complication (no insurance, no license, drunk driver, etc). In these cases your insurance companies are responsible for investigating the accident based upon the statements of the involved parties. Since the Officer was not present to witness the accident they have nothing to add to the report unless they do an accident reconstruction investigation – which will almost never be done on a simple property damage accident on private property.
Accidents that occur on public streets generally require police contact, although some of the time no official report is generated.
If you are involved in an accident and you have any question you should simply call your local Police Department and ask if they want to come out. If either party to an accident calls the police and they indicate they will respond, my best advice would be that you wait there for however long it takes. Once the Police have indicated they think it is necessary for them to respond, there is no magic time limit after which you can leave. While you may be able to avoid a ‘hit and run’ charge by exchanging information prior to leaving, it would not look good for you with the insurance investigators if the Officer DOES decide to take a report and notes in that report that you left the scene prior to their arrival.
References :