How to File a Car Accident Report in Massachusetts
If you get into a car accident in Massachusetts, there are certain steps that you need to take. According to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 90, Section 26, one of your duties as a driver involved in a collision is to report the accident if there are injuries or more than $1,000 worth of property damage. Learn how to file a car accident report in Massachusetts to obey the law and protect your rights.
When Is it Mandatory to File a Car Accident Report?
It is a legal requirement to report a car accident in Massachusetts if there appear to be any injuries, deaths or damage to one vehicle in excess of $1,000. The law requires reporting in writing within at least five days of the car accident in these cases. The only exception is if the victim is incapacitated and physically incapable of making the report. In this case, the individual does not have to file the report in the period of incapacity.
How to File a Car Accident Report
If you are involved in a serious car accident in Massachusetts, download and fill out the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report. This is the required crash form if your car accident meets the above-mentioned standards. Legally, you must fill out and file this report with the Registry within five days. In addition, you must send a copy of the report to the police department in the city or county where the car accident took place.
Fill out the report as completely as you can, sticking to the facts of the crash as you know them. Make four copies of the form: one for the police department, one for your insurance company, one for the Registry and one for your own records. Hand-deliver or mail a copy to the police department that has jurisdiction over the car accident. Mail another copy to:
Crash Records
Registry of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 55889
Boston, MA 02205-5889
Finally, mail a copy to your car insurance company as part of your insurance claim. Once you have sent the report to all of the necessary parties, focus on your medical treatments and injury recovery. Keep copies of all relevant documents, including your medical bills and auto repair estimates. You may also wish to obtain a copy of your police report, if you have one. This can help you prove your case to an insurance company.
How to Get a Copy of a Police Report in Massachusetts
A police report is different from the accident report that you fill out and submit yourself after a car accident. A police officer fills out the police report at the scene of your accident. You should involve the police after any car accident in Massachusetts, big or small. The police can conduct an initial investigation of the crash and record important details, such as the date, location and time of the accident, as well as who might have caused the crash. The police can also write down the information of the other driver and any eyewitnesses.
Never make a deal with the other driver to settle your case for cash in exchange for not calling the police. This could hurt your chances of recovering fair financial compensation and even lead to legal trouble. Instead, call 911 while still at the scene of any car crash. Ask for your police report number before you leave the scene. Then, wait a few days for the officer to file the report with the local police department. Contact the police department and give your personal information and report number to request a copy of the document filed.
Your car accident report and police report are two important documents that can help an insurance company analyze your case and decide whether to accept or reject benefits. For more information about how to file a car accident report or build a lawsuit, contact a car accident attorney in Merrimack Valley today.