Do you need to call the police after an accident or collision? A practical guide

Do I need to call the police for a collision? Should the police be called to an accident? When to call the police for an accident? The decision depends on the circumstances: injuries to the participants, suspicion of driving under the influence or the questionability of the perpetrator's guilt. This guide will help you understand when calling the police to the scene of a collision or accident is required and when you can skip this formal obligation - and instead write down the perpetrator's statement.

The most important information

• Calling the police to the scene of a road accident, whether an accident or a collision, is mandatory in the event of injuries to the participants or suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs.
• Failure to notify law enforcement authorities after an accident may lead to insurance recourse, but if the parties agree on the course of the event, calling the police is absolutely not necessary.
• The declaration of the perpetrator of the collision is a key document in compensation proceedings and should contain full personal data, a description of the circumstances of the incident and photographic documentation.

Road accidents – when is it necessary to call the services?

Despite popular belief, calling the police to the scene of a road traffic accident is not always mandatory – especially when the at-fault party admits liability. However, there are specific circumstances when it is required to call the police to the scene of a vehicle collision. The police must be called if any road users have sustained injuries, or if there is suspected drink or drug driving. In such situations, the presence of the police is essential for the proper documentation of the incident and for subsequent claims processes. Should we always call the police after an accident? Not necessarily. Calling the police is not required in every situation. If the road traffic accident has not caused any injuries, the at-fault party is known, there is no doubt about how the collision occurred, and there is no suspicion of drink or drug driving, then reporting the incident to the police is not necessary. However, it is strongly recommended to call the police in situations where the parties involved have conflicting accounts of how the incident happened – the police will then help in determining the at-fault party.

What are the consequences of not notifying the police?

Failure to report a crime to law enforcement authorities can be punishable, but this applies only to the most serious offences specified in the Penal Code. Not to minor infringements such as collisions. However, fleeing the scene of a collision without notifying the police can result in insurance recourse. This means that the insurer may seek reimbursement of the compensation benefits paid out. However, this is not a rule. Many drivers decide to settle the matter on the spot, without calling the police. This is possible if both parties agree on the course of events and the perpetrator's fault. However, it should be remembered that in such a case, it is necessary to draw up a reliable statement from the perpetrator of the collision. This statement must clearly indicate the perpetrator, the data of the injured party, and it is a very good idea to prepare photographic documentation of the scene. You can also record the details of each participant in the event and witnesses.

Accident without fatalities – does the police have to intervene?

Is it always necessary to call the police to the scene of an incident? Not necessarily. The police do not have to be called in the case of a road traffic collision if there are no fatalities or injuries, the perpetrator of the accident is known, and there is no suspicion of intoxication or the influence of other substances. We also recommend calling the police if the perpetrator leaves the scene. Likewise, the police are needed when it is impossible to identify the perpetrator of the event. If the participants in a road traffic collision have not suffered any injuries, there is usually no obligation to call the police to the scene. However, it is worth noting that if a participant in the collision has suffered minor injuries, i.e., those which cause impairment of bodily functions or a disorder lasting less than 7 days, calling the police is not obligatory, but it is worth considering their presence for documenting the course of the event and identifying the participants of the event. All for the good of the compensation process, i.e., a process whose aim is to repair damages.

How to prepare a statement from the perpetrator of the collision?

A statement from the perpetrator of the collision is an essential element of proceedings after an accident. This is a document that contains all relevant information about the event and can be prepared if the event resulted only in property damage and all parties agree on the circumstances of the event. What information should such a statement contain? Let's take a closer look at this.

Personal and vehicle data

The perpetrator's collision statement should include their full personal details, such as: first name, surname, residential address, ID card number and series, driving licence number, and telephone number. The statement should also include details of the perpetrator's vehicle, including make, model, registration number, and VIN number. Additionally, the statement should contain the perpetrator's vehicle insurance information, including the insurer's name and the third-party liability insurance policy number. The injured party's personal details should include the same categories of information as for the perpetrator, as well as information about their vehicle and insurance policy.

Description of the circumstances of the event

A description of the circumstances of the incident is a key element of the offender's statement. This section should describe in detail what happened, where the incident occurred, and the date and time of the accident. The extent of the damage should be carefully described, taking into account the type of damage (e.g. scratch, dent, scrape, detachment) and its approximate dimensions or size. It is advisable to attach a situation sketch or drawing with the damage marked to the statement, which will facilitate visualisation and precision in the description of the damage.

Photographic documentation

Photographic documentation is essential for properly securing evidence in the event of an accident. Photographing the accident scene makes it possible to better reconstruct the circumstances of the event. Such documentation should be comprehensive and include various perspectives of the scene to accurately reflect the situation. Photographs of vehicle damage serve as evidence that can be used to assess the extent and type of damage. Photographs of damage to both your vehicle and the other vehicle should be attached to the statement, which increases the evidentiary value of the documentation.

Useful documents when reporting third party liability insurance damage

When reporting third-party liability insurance damage, in addition to the declaration of the perpetrator of the collision, other documents are also needed. To report a third party liability insurance claim, you need a motor vehicle damage report form and a form claims compensation, in which the event, damages and the amount of compensation claimed are precisely described. The statement must contain the full personal and address details of the perpetrator and the victim, detailed information about the vehicles involved, including data of the vehicles participating, such as:

• mark
• model
• registration number
• VIN
• information about the perpetrator's liability insurance

Also, details from the registration certificate or vehicle card of the damaged vehicle, contact details of the person driving the vehicle at the time of the incident, details of the owner or owners of the vehicle, and the bank account number to which the compensation should be paid. To speed up the claims settlement process, additional documentation such as repair cost estimates and medical documentation confirming personal injury may be helpful.

Insurance and calling the police – does it affect the amount of compensation?

Does calling the police affect the amount of compensation? The amount of compensation is not directly linked to the fact that the police were called, but rather to the completeness of the documents and the precision with which the circumstances of the collision are described. The presence of police at the scene facilitates insurance claims against the perpetrator's insurance, and the information from the police report is unlikely to be disputed by insurers. Although this is a rule with very few exceptions. The standard period for paying out compensation from third-party liability insurance is 30 days from notification, but the presence of police documentation can speed up this process as it clarifies the circumstances of what happened. Reporting a collision to the police after the fact may make it difficult to establish the circumstances of the event, which affects the process of determining the perpetrator and settling the claim. To obtain compensation, a written statement is not always sufficient in certain incidents, and the lack of police documentation can be problematic for the insurer.

Police call to a company car accident

The procedures following a company car accident differ slightly from those for private vehicles. In the event of a company car accident, calling the police may be required by the employer, insurer, or leasing company. But is it always necessary? Is it always the most advantageous solution? Sometimes, calling the police solely because a company car was involved in a collision is a bit of bureaucratic nonsense. But rules are rules. It is always worth contacting the fleet manager, if your company has one. The police will accept any report, although sometimes officers (and rightly so) issue higher fines when they consider that their call was actually unnecessary – there were no injured parties, meaning no one was hurt, and only the paintwork on the bumpers was damaged as a result of the collision.

Police call to a leased car accident

The rules regarding car leasing accidents are even more complicated. In the event of a car leasing accident, the police may need to be called by the leasing company. Although this is a rather rare occurrence. Most leasing companies leave the choice to their clients. If the perpetrator acknowledges the collision and provides their third-party insurance details, including the insurer's name and all other information contained in the driving licence and vehicle registration document – and the circumstances of the event are not in doubt – then let's consider whether it is really worth calling the police. For certainty, it is worth reviewing your leasing documents in advance, or asking the leasing company.

How to behave at the scene of an accident?

Regardless of whether we are the perpetrator or the victim of an accident, there are several rules that we should follow at the scene of the accident. After an accident involving fatalities or injuries, you should:

1. Provide first aid to the injured.
2. Call emergency services and the police.
3. Avoid actions that may hinder the investigation.
4. Stay at the scene.

Escaping the scene of the accident results in the loss of third party liability insurance coverage, and the responsibility for the damage passes to the perpetrator, who must cover it from his own pocket. Drivers are obliged to:

• stopping in a way that does not endanger road traffic
• securing the scene of the incident
• if there are no fatalities or injuries, remove the vehicle from the road.

After securing the accident site, check if anyone needs help and, if necessary, provide first aid to the injured.

Procedure after an accident – step by step

Regardless of whether we are witnesses or participants in an accident, there are several steps we should take after the event. After an accident involving fatalities or injuries, you should:

1. Provide first aid to the injured.
2. Call emergency services and the police.
3. Avoid actions that may hinder the investigation.
4. Stay at the scene.

The standard period for the payment of compensation under third-party liability insurance is 30 days from the notification, but the presence of police documentation can speed up this process, as it clarifies the circumstances of the event. Reporting a collision to the police after the fact may make it difficult to establish the circumstances of the event, which affects the process of determining the perpetrator and settling the damage. In some cases, a signed statement alone is not always sufficient to obtain compensation, and the absence of police documentation can be problematic for the insurer.

Summary

Calling the police to the scene of an accident is only mandatory in certain circumstances, such as bodily injury to participants or suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In other cases, the decision to call the police depends on the specific situation and the decision of its participants. However, it is worth remembering that proper documentation of the event, both by the police and by the participants themselves, is crucial for the subsequent compensation process. A police patrol is unnecessary when the perpetrator admits guilt for the collision, in which case the parties can jointly fill out a statement. It is also advisable for each participant to sign on every page of the statement. The vast majority of minor collisions should be resolved without police assistance, as it is sufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I always have to call the police after an accident?

Not always, but calling the police is mandatory if you are injured or you suspect driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The at-fault driver's insurance policy will also not be activated so easily if the parties are in dispute as to the cause and outcome of the collision.

Can I settle the matter with the other party myself?

Yes, if both parties agree on the circumstances of the incident and the perpetrator's guilt, you can settle the matter yourself.

What to do if the perpetrator fled the scene?

You should call the police immediately and provide as many details as possible about the perpetrator and his vehicle to increase the chances of catching him.

What should I do if I had an accident in my company car?

In the event of an accident in a company car, it is worth consulting your supervisor or the logistics department, HR or, above all, the fleet manager in your company to determine further steps.

Does calling the police affect the amount of compensation?

Calling the police may facilitate the compensation process and help determine the circumstances of the incident. There is no need to call the police if the perpetrator of the collision is known, and calling the police itself does not affect the amount of compensation.