Minor accidents take place every second in the United States. The average American is believed to get involved in at least 3 to 4 car accidents in their lifetime. Perhaps the most common form of minor accident is fender benders. Fender benders usually result in minor car scratches or dents. These kinds of collisions do not cause any injuries.
This raises the question of whether a fender bender should be reported to the police. In some cases, not reporting the police even after minor crashes can cost you in the long term. If you have been in a road accident, injury attorneys Huntington Beach can guide you on what steps you should take.
Is it worth reporting a fender bender with no damages?
A fender bender is defined as a minor collision between two vehicles. It is an informal term used by Americans to refer to minor car accidents that cause little to no damages.
In some states of the US, you do not need to inform the police if there are no injuries and the property damage worth is less than a specific amount stated in the state’s laws. While in other states, you are required to report all kinds of road accidents, however minor. Therefore, you should read about your state’s laws or speak with your attorney before taking action.
Is there really no damage done?
We often believe what we see with our eyes. It may appear as a simple dent from the outside, but it may have caused additional technical damages that only a professional can detect. Just like some of your injuries take time to show after an accident, your car’s damages may begin to show later as well.
Therefore, instead of driving off thinking that no damage is done, you should exchange contact information with the other party and get their insurance policy number. When you do this, you should also inform the police so that an official report of the accident is created.
What type of damages may go unnoticed in a fender bender?
Some examples of vehicles damages that often go unnoticed are:
- Leaks: A tiny rupture can create leaks in a leaky oil pan, radiator, or any other container that contains fluid.
- Reduced battery life: A collision can knock the battery loose or cause a short circuit in the lead plates, which shortens the life of the battery. Although a minor condition, this should be considered.
- Misalignment: Car bumpers are put in place to absorb the shock of a collision to protect the vehicle. A collision can cause the bumpers to get misaligned. This rarely happens in minor accidents, but the chances are still there.
