Do I need to call the police to a collision? Should I call the police to an accident? The decision depends on the circumstances: injuries to those involved, suspicion of driving under the influence, or uncertainty regarding the perpetrator's fault. This guide will help you understand when calling the Police to the scene is required, and when a perpetrator's statement is sufficient.
💡 Key Information
- Police attendance is mandatory in the event of injuries to participants (wounded/killed) or suspected drink-driving/drug-driving.
- Failure to notify the authorities about a serious accident or leaving the scene of the incident leads to insurance recourse.
- If parties agree on the sequence of events in a collision, and the at-fault party admits liability and provides their details, calling the police is not necessary.
- The statement of the party at fault in a collision is a key document – it must include the full details of the parties, vehicles, the third-party liability insurance number, and a precise description and sketch of the damage.
- Photographic documentation from various perspectives significantly simplifies and speeds up the claims settlement process with the insurer.
The vast majority of minor car accidents should be settled without police involvement. If the incident caused no injuries, the perpetrator is known and admits fault – a carefully written statement and photos from the scene are sufficient.
Do you need to call the police after an accident or collision? A practical guide
Road accidents – when is it necessary to call the services?
Contrary to popular belief, calling the police to the scene of a road traffic accident is not always mandatory – especially when the perpetrator admits fault. However, there are specific circumstances when calling the Police is required. The Police must be called when road users have sustained injuries or when there is suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In such situations, the police's presence is essential for the proper documentation of the incident and the subsequent compensation process.
If a road traffic incident has not caused any injuries, the at-fault party is known, there is no dispute regarding the course of the collision, and there is no suspicion of drink-driving, 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 occurred – the police will then assist in determining the at-fault party.
What are the consequences of not notifying the police?
Failure to report a crime to the authorities can be punishable, but this only applies to the most serious offences (an accident with serious casualties, not a typical collision). However, leaving the scene of a collision without reporting it to the police can result in insurance recourse. This means that the insurer may seek reimbursement of paid compensation benefits from the perpetrator.
Many drivers decide to resolve the matter on the spot, without calling the police. This is possible if both parties agree on the course of events and the fault of the perpetrator. However, it is important to meticulously prepare the statement of the collision perpetrator and take photographs.
Accident without fatalities – does the police have to intervene?
The police do not need to be called in the event of a road traffic accident if there are no fatalities or injuries, the perpetrator of the collision is known and sober. However, we recommend calling the police if the perpetrator leaves the scene, or if it is not possible to identify the perpetrator.
It is worth noting that if a participant in a collision suffers minor injuries (causing impaired organ function or a health disorder for a period of less than 7 days), calling the police is not obligatory, but it is advisable to consider their presence for documenting the event for the claims process.
How to prepare a statement from the perpetrator of the collision?
This is an essential document that can be drawn up if there has only been damage to property and the parties agree on the course of events.
Personal and vehicle data
The statement should include the full personal details of the perpetrator and the victim (first name, surname, address, ID card number, driving licence number, telephone number). Furthermore, vehicle details: make, model, registration number, VIN number, and full insurance information (insurer's name and third-party liability policy number).
Description of the circumstances of the event
You must describe in detail what happened, where the incident occurred, and provide the exact date and time of the accident. The extent of the damage should be carefully described (e.g. scratch, dent, abrasion). It is worth attaching a situational sketch or drawing with the damage marked to the statement.
Photographic documentation
Photographing the accident scene from various perspectives allows for a better reconstruction of the circumstances of the event. You should take pictures of the damage to both your vehicle and the other vehicle, which increases the evidentiary value when reporting the damage to the insurer.
Useful documents when reporting third party liability insurance damage
To report a third-party liability claim, you will need a motor insurance claim form and a compensation claim form. To speed up the process, additional documentation, such as repair estimates or any relevant medical documentation, may be helpful. It is also important to provide your bank account number for the compensation payment.
Insurance and calling the police – does it affect the amount of compensation?
The amount of compensation is not directly related to the fact that the police were called, but rather to the completeness of the documents. Information from a police report is rarely disputed by insurers. Reporting a collision to the insurer based solely on a written statement is standard practice today, provided that the perpetrator clearly admitted fault. The absence of the police may only be a problem in certain, exceptionally complex collisions where the statements of the parties raise doubts with the insurer.
Police summons for a company car/lease car accident
In the case of a company car, calling the police may be required by the employer's internal regulations, the fleet manager, or the insurer (e.g. comprehensive fleet insurance). Sometimes calling the police for a simple scratch on a company car is bureaucratic nonsense, but it is worth contacting the fleet manager before making a decision.
In contrast, for leased cars, most leasing companies leave the choice to the users. If the insurer doesn't require it and there are no casualties, a statement is usually sufficient – although it’s worth checking the General Terms and Conditions of the Lease Agreement (OWUL) as a precaution.
Jak zachować się na miejscu wypadku? Postępowanie krok po kroku Poniżej przedstawiamy procedurę postępowania w przypadku udziału w wypadku drogowym: Krok 1: Zabezpiecz miejsce zdarzenia * Zjedź na pobocze, jeśli to możliwe. * Włącz światła awaryjne. * Wyłącz silnik i zaciągnij hamulec ręczny. * Wystaw trójkąt ostrzegawczy w odpowiedniej odległości od miejsca zdarzenia (zgodnie z przepisami ruchu drogowego). Krok 2: Oceń sytuację i udziel pomocy * Sprawdź, czy w wypadku są osoby poszkodowane. * Jeśli są poszkodowani, oceń ich stan. * Jeśli jest to bezpieczne, udziel pierwszej pomocy do czasu przybycia służb ratowniczych. Pamiętaj o własnym bezpieczeństwie! * Jeśli ktoś jest zakleszczony w pojeździe lub jego stan jest poważny, nie próbuj samodzielnie go wyciągać. Krok 3: Wezwij pomoc * Zadzwoń pod numer alarmowy 112 lub 997 (Policja), 998 (Straż Pożarna), 999 (Pogotowie Ratunkowe). * Podaj dokładną lokalizację zdarzenia. * Opisz, co się stało i ile jest osób poszkodowanych. * Podaj swoje imię i nazwisko oraz numer telefonu. Krok 4: Zbierz informacje (jeśli to możliwe i bezpieczne) * Wymień się danymi z innymi uczestnikami zdarzenia (imię, nazwisko, adres, numer prawa jazdy, dane polisy ubezpieczeniowej OC – numer polisy i nazwa ubezpieczyciela). * Zapisz numery rejestracyjne pojazdów uczestniczących w wypadku. * Sfyzucz ślady i uszkodzenia pojazdów (np. telefonem). * Jeśli są świadkowie, poproś ich o dane kontaktowe. Krok 5: Dokumentacja i dalsze kroki * Uzupełnij Europejski Protokół Powypadkowy (jeśli jest dostępny i wszyscy uczestnicy się zgadzają). * Jeśli doszło do obrażeń, zgłoś szkodę w swoim ubezpieczeniu. * W przypadku kolizji bez osób rannych i sporu co do przebiegu zdarzenia, można wezwać Policję. * Jeśli istnieje podejrzenie, że jeden z kierowców był pod wpływem alkoholu lub środków odurzających, należy koniecznie wezwać Policję. * Nie opuszczaj miejsca zdarzenia bez upewnienia się, że wszystkie niezbędne informacje zostały zebrane i zgłoszone. Pamiętaj, że najważniejsze jest zachowanie spokoju, dbanie o własne bezpieczeństwo i bezpieczeństwo innych, a także udzielenie pomocy poszkodowanym.
Regardless of whether we are the perpetrator or the victim:
- If there are injuries: provide first aid, call emergency services (ambulance and police), secure the scene, and do not move the vehicles to avoid obstructing the investigation.
- If there are no casualties (collision): stop safely, secure the scene (warning triangle), quickly take photos of the vehicle positions, then Remove the vehicles from the road immediately, so as not to block traffic (legal requirement).
- Establishing blame: if there is no dispute, draw up a statement (signatures on each page). In case of dispute, call the police.
Remember: leaving the scene of an accident will result in the loss of your third-party liability insurance cover – the perpetrator will then have to cover the damages out of their own pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always have to call the police after an accident?
Not always, but calling the police is mandatory if there has been bodily injury or you suspect drink/drug driving, or when parties dispute fault.
Can I settle the matter with the other party myself?
Yes, if both parties agree on the circumstances of the event and fault, a reliable statement is sufficient.
What to do if the perpetrator fled the scene?
The police must be called immediately and as many details as possible provided about the perpetrator and their vehicle (registration number, colour, make).