People are often uncertain of the best way to handle a motor vehicle collision. There are many steps involved that people may hope to bypass or streamline in certain circumstances. It is common for one of the drivers involved in a collision to propose settling the matter privately without involving insurance companies or local authorities.
Instead of filing a crash report and looking for insurance compensation, the parties involved may agree to handle everything privately. Is it legal to agree to such offers, or does state law make a police report a mandatory step after a car crash?
Reports are often legally necessary
Georgia law does provide a little bit of flexibility for those involved in motor vehicle collisions. If the crash was a low-speed fender bender that caused minor property damage, then it may be feasible to bypass the crash reporting process.
However, most collisions require a report filed with the local authorities. Under Georgia state statutes, drivers have to notify the police if a crash results in injury to anyone or more than $500 in property damage expenses. Given the costs of even cosmetic bodywork, most crashes require a report.
Agreeing to settle a crash privately not only potentially violates the law, but it may also put the party not at fault for the collision at a disadvantage. If the driver who caused the crash does not uphold their promise to cover collision expenses, filing an insurance claim or initiating a lawsuit could be much more difficult without a crash report affirming that a collision occurred.
Understanding the rules that apply after a motor vehicle collision can help people protect their right to pursue compensation. Individuals involved in wrecks may need help holding the other driver accountable for the crash.