How Long Do You Have to File a Police Report in New Jersey?

To mitigate potential complications, we recommend reporting any accident that meets the criteria set by New Jersey law to the police, even if they were not needed at the scene of the crash. This helps ensure that you have the necessary documentation for insurance purposes and to protect yourself legally in case of any future issues related to the accident.

Do I Have to File an Accident Report in NJ?

In New Jersey, a police report isn’t mandatory for every motor vehicle incident. Certain minor accidents may not require a report. However, it’s legally required to inform law enforcement of an accident under the following conditions:

• If the accident causes bodily injury or death.
• If the accident leads to $500 or more in property damage.

As a rule of thumb, it’s always a good idea to contact the police if there’s any visible damage to the other vehicle.

How Long Do You Have to File a Police Report After a Car Accident in NJ?

After a car accident occurs, a police report in NJ must be submitted within 10 days of an accident that results in death, injury, or over $500 of damage. If these criteria are met, the report will be completed by law enforcement officers at the scene of the accident. If the accident was minor and did not need an officer at the scene, then the driver can fill out a New Jersey Self-Reporting Crash form via the state’s website. In New Jersey, it’s mandatory to inform the nearest police force or State Police about any accident matching the criteria mentioned earlier using the “quickest means of communication.” All accidents must be reported, in writing, within 10 days. We recommend reporting the accident immediately or as soon as reasonably possible after it occurs.

See how to get free legal help filing a police report in NJ.

Can You File a Police Report Days After an Accident in New Jersey?

How long do you have to report an accident in NJ? If the accident resulted in death, injury, or over $500 of damage, you’re required to report the accident within 10 days. If those specific elements are not applicable to your case, while there isn’t a strict time limit specified by law for filing a police report after a car accident in New Jersey if an officer did not come to the scene, it’s generally advised to fill out the online report and submit the state within 24 hours if law enforcement did not respond to the accident. Doing so ensures that details are documented accurately, including information about the parties involved, witnesses, location, time, and circumstances of the accident.

The longer you wait to file an accident report, the more compromised your potential claim may be. A crash report submitted immediately after an accident carries greater credibility than a report that is filed days or weeks later.

What about in neighboring PA? Here’s how long you have to file a police report after an accident in Pennsylvania.

What Happens If You Don’t File a Police Report After An Accident in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, failing to file a police report after an accident can have a variety of consequences, especially if it involves injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500. Repercussions of not filing a police report after an accident can include:

• Legal Complications: Failure to report an accident can result in legal consequences, including potential fines or other legal repercussions.
• Insurance Issues: Not filing a police report could affect your ability to file an insurance claim or complicate the claims process. Insurance companies typically rely on police reports to assess fault and determine the extent of damages. Without this official documentation, your claim could be challenged or delayed.
• Lack of Documentation: Your police report serves as an official record of the accident, detailing important information about the incident, including the parties involved, witnesses, location, time, and circumstances. Without this documentation, it might be challenging to provide accurate information to your insurance company, potentially impacting the outcome of your claim.
• Difficulty Establishing Fault: Without an official police report, determining fault in the accident could become a matter of conflicting accounts between involved parties. This might complicate settling claims and can lead to disputes regarding liability.

While there might not be a strict legal obligation to file a report if law enforcement did not respond to the scene, it’s highly advisable to report the accident promptly. Doing so ensures that essential details are documented accurately, aiding in insurance claims and providing necessary information for investigations to determine fault and assess damages. To put it simply, not filing a police report after an accident can cost you time, additional frustration, and money. What happens if you don’t file a police report after an accident in Philadelphia?

How Long After An Accident Can You File a Police Report in New Jersey?

While there isn’t a strict legal time frame to file a police report after an accident in New Jersey, reporting the incident and obtaining a copy of the report as quickly is highly advisable for accurate documentation and to facilitate the insurance claim process.

Ideally, we recommend filing the police report within 24 hours of the accident if possible. This timeframe allows for the timely documentation of crucial details, such as information about the parties involved, witnesses, location, time, and circumstances of the accident.

How Long Do You Have to Report a Car Accident To Your Insurance in New Jersey?

As with reporting an accident to the police, it’s recommended that you report a car accident to your insurance company as soon as possible after the incident occurs. While there might not be a strict legal deadline specified by the state, most insurance policies recommend reporting accidents as soon as reasonably possible. It is important to note that reporting an accident to your insurance company is not the same thing as filing a claim. For assistance in retrieving a NJ State Police Car Crash Report visit this link.

Insurance companies often prefer immediate or timely reporting for several reasons:

• Policy Requirements: Auto insurance policies often contain clauses that stipulate prompt reporting of accidents. Failing to report within a reasonable timeframe might affect your coverage or complicate the claims process.
• Timely Investigation: Reporting the accident promptly allows the insurance company to conduct a timely investigation. This helps in determining fault, assessing damages, and expediting the claims process for you.
• Legal Protection: Timely reporting ensures that you comply with the terms of your insurance policy, providing legal protection and preventing potential issues with coverage denial due to delayed reporting.

While there might not be a specific legally mandated time frame, the sooner you report the accident, the better it is for initiating the claims process and ensuring that you fulfill your obligations under your insurance policy. Familiarizing yourself with your specific insurance policy’s requirements regarding reporting accidents can also help ensure you are complying with their guidelines.

Learn more about obtaining an Ocean City, NJ accident report here.

Do I Need a Lawyer After a New Jersey Car Accident?

Whether you need a lawyer after a car accident in New Jersey can depend on a variety of factors. For minor accidents where there are no injuries and the property damage is minimal, you might not need a lawyer. In fact, insurance companies often recommend you handle these claims directly with them. Unfortunately, this is not always in your best interest. There are situations where involving a New Jersey car accident lawyer can be beneficial, including:

• Serious Injuries: If you or anyone involved sustained severe injuries, a lawyer will help navigate complex legal and insurance matters to ensure you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Disputed Liability: When fault for the accident is contested or unclear, a lawyer can gather evidence, assess the situation, and advocate on your behalf to ensure your rights are protected.
• Complexities in the Case: Accidents involving multiple parties, uninsured motorists, or when the insurance company tries to dispute your claim can benefit from legal representation.
• Dealing with Insurance Companies: An injury lawyer will negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you’re not taken advantage of in settlement offers so you can focus on recovery.
• I was Injured in a New Jersey Motorcycle Accident (click the link for more info)
• I was Injured in a New Jersey Truck Accident (click the link for more info)

The experts at Pearce Law Firm are here to answer all of your questions. Our personal injury lawyers in NJ provide free consultations to assess your case and are always happy to assist you in determining if you have a case. Contact us today or call our Cherry Hill office at (856) 354-5688!

What To Do After a New Jersey Car Accident

Car accidents are scary and overwhelming. No matter where you’ve been in an accident, it’s always a good idea to have an experienced advocate in your corner. Accident lawyer Edith Pearce explains what you need to do after being injured in a car accident.