If you’ve been in a car accident, truck crash, motorcycle wreck, or other type of accident and didn’t report it within 24 hours, it’s understandable to feel anxious. Many people worry that by not reporting the accident immediately, they’ve made a serious mistake or might even be in trouble with the law.
The good news is that while timely reporting is important, failing to do so within 24 hours doesn’t automatically mean you’re facing legal consequences or that you’ve lost your chance to file a personal injury claim. It’s not uncommon to be overwhelmed, in shock, or unsure of what to do after an accident—and those feelings might have delayed your actions.
At Wilshire Law Firm, we want to reassure you that it’s not too late to ask a personal injury lawyer for help. Whether you were injured in a crash or your property was damaged, our powerhouse team will help guide you through the process. Even if you didn’t report the accident right away, there are still ways to pursue justice and recover the compensation you deserve.
Let’s explore what happens when you don’t report an accident within 24 hours, how this might affect your personal injury claim, and how we can help you sort things out.
Who Do You Need to Report a Motor Vehicle Accident To?
After any motor vehicle accident, including car, truck, or motorcycle accidents, there are different parties you may need to report the crash to:
- Law Enforcement: In California, reporting an accident to law enforcement is required if the crash caused injury or death, or if property damage exceeds $1,000. The California Vehicle Code Section 20008 mandates that this report should be made within 24 hours to the California Highway Patrol or the local police department. However, failing to report doesn’t mean you lose your rights. It just means that the process might become more complicated.
- Insurance Company: Most insurance policies include a clause requiring you to report an accident “promptly.” Failing to do so within the required timeframe might lead to issues with your insurance claim. But, even if you miss the 24-hour mark, you can still reach out to your insurer. In some cases, insurance companies might attempt to deny claims based on late reporting, but a skilled motor vehicle accident attorney will help you with this process and protect your rights.
- Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): California law requires you to file an SR-1 form with the DMV within 10 days if the accident caused injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. This DMV report is important for insurance and legal purposes, and failing to submit it might lead to penalties, but it’s not an immediate bar to your personal injury claim.
What About Reporting Other Types of Accidents?
Aside from motor vehicle accidents, there are other types of accidents that may need to be reported within 24 hours, depending on the situation and local laws. Here are a few examples:
Workplace Accidents
In many states, including California, workplace injuries must be reported to an employer as soon as possible, typically within 24 hours or a short timeframe specified by state workers’ compensation laws. Failing to report a workplace accident promptly can impact the injured worker’s ability to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
Accidents Involving Dangerous Products
If a defective or dangerous product injures you, you may need to report the accident to the manufacturer, retailer, or other relevant parties within a certain period. This is particularly important if a recall or safety issue is involved, and reporting the incident may help protect others from injury.
Boating Accidents
In California, boating accidents that result in injuries, deaths, or property damage exceeding $500 must be reported to the California Department of Boating and Waterways within a specific timeframe. This reporting helps ensure that appropriate authorities are aware of the incident.
Dog Bites or Animal Attacks
In California, dog bites or animal attacks may need to be reported to local authorities, such as animal control or public health departments, particularly if there’s a risk of rabies or if someone was seriously injured. Prompt reporting ensures public safety and helps with any legal claims.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Accidents that occur on someone else’s property, like slip and fall injuries, should be reported to the property owner or manager as soon as possible. Timely reporting of these incidents can be important for filing premises liability claims and establishing liability.
In all these cases, it’s important to document and report the incident as soon as possible. However, even if you didn’t report the accident right away, you may still be able to pursue compensation with the help of Wilshire Law Firm’s experienced personal injury lawyers.
What If There’s Another Motorist, Pedestrian, or Injured Party Involved?
When an accident involves another driver, pedestrian, or other injured parties, the reporting process takes on additional importance. The other party might have already reported the accident, creating an official record even if you haven’t.
Regardless of whether they filed first, you still have the right to file a claim. Not reporting within 24 hours doesn’t automatically make you at fault or invalidate your claim. What’s most important is that you document your injuries and the accident as soon as possible.
The complexity of liability increases in multi-party accidents—especially those involving large trucks or motorcycles. Trucking companies, for instance, may try to shift blame or use their resources to dispute claims. If you haven’t reported the accident right away, their defense team might try to argue that your delayed report suggests you weren’t seriously injured.
Our billion-dollar team of relentless lawyers will step in, ensuring that the facts are clear and that your rights are protected from such tactics.
Single-Vehicle Accidents: What Happens If You Didn’t Report?
If you were in a single-vehicle accident—maybe you hit a tree or swerved to avoid an animal—you might assume there’s no need to report it, especially if it didn’t seem serious initially. But what if you later realize that you’re injured or discover significant property damage? Failing to report a single-vehicle accident could complicate an insurance claim, but it doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
In situations where there are injuries or damage to someone else’s property (even if it’s not another vehicle), it’s still important to report the incident to your insurance and possibly to law enforcement. Our team will make sure you take the necessary steps to protect your claim, regardless of when the report was made.
Does Not Reporting an Accident Within 24 Hours Affect Liability?
In California, liability for a motor vehicle accident is determined based on negligence, not necessarily when you reported the accident. Whether you report the accident immediately or wait a few days, the critical factors remain the same: who was at fault for the accident and what damages were sustained. However, delayed reporting might affect how the insurance company or opposing party perceives your claim.
For example:
- If there’s a delay in reporting the accident, insurance companies might argue that the injuries you claim weren’t as severe because you didn’t need immediate help or file a report.
- If you didn’t seek medical attention right away, they might try to argue that your injuries weren’t directly caused by the accident.
But don’t let these tactics scare you away from pursuing justice. We are relentless in advocating for our clients, and we understand that shock, fear, or not realizing the full extent of injuries can lead to delayed reporting. Our team will help document your injuries and build a strong case, no matter when you reported the accident.
Legal Implications of Not Reporting a Hit-and-Run Accident
A hit-and-run accident, where one of the parties flees the scene, is a serious offense. However, if you were the victim of the hit-and-run and failed to report the accident within 24 hours, this doesn’t mean you’re in legal trouble. The responsibility to report lies with the involved drivers, but you still have options as the victim.
Even if some time has passed since the hit-and-run, you should still report it to law enforcement. Police reports are critical in helping track down the at-fault driver, and they can serve as valuable evidence for any personal injury or property damage claims you may wish to file later.
Does Failing to Report a Hit-and-Run Impact Your Personal Injury Claim?
Not reporting a hit-and-run accident promptly can complicate your personal injury claim but does not necessarily prevent you from seeking compensation. The longer you wait to report, the more challenging it might be to gather evidence or track down the other driver.
However, in many cases, victims of hit-and-run accidents may still file claims with their own insurance companies under uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This coverage is specifically designed to protect victims when the at-fault party is unidentified or uninsured.
Even if you didn’t report the hit-and-run within 24 hours, you can still contact your insurance company to file a claim. Legal assistance at this stage is important in ensuring your claim is handled properly and that you aren’t unfairly denied coverage due to the delay in reporting.
What to Do If You Didn’t Report a Hit-and-Run Right Away
- File a Police Report Now: Even if some time has passed, you should still file a police report. Provide as much information as possible about the accident, including details about the vehicle that fled, the location, and any witnesses.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: Explain the situation honestly and provide any relevant documentation. Your insurance company may still process your claim under uninsured motorist coverage.
- Gather Evidence: Collect any available evidence, such as photos of the scene, witness statements, or surveillance footage from nearby businesses or homes. This will help support your case.
- Seek Legal Assistance: An attorney can help you navigate the complexities of a hit-and-run claim, especially if you didn’t report the accident right away. At Wilshire Law Firm, our skilled legal team will fight for your rights, helping you pursue compensation for your injuries and damages, no matter the timing.
How a Lawyer Can Help You After a Delayed Report
If you haven’t reported your accident within 24 hours, it’s understandable to feel worried. However, it’s not too late to act. At Wilshire Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys will help you manage the legal process so you can still pursue compensation for your injuries. Here’s how we can help:
- Investigating the Accident: Even if the official report was delayed, we can gather evidence like photos, witness statements, and expert testimony to build your case. Whether the accident involved another driver, a pedestrian, or was a single-vehicle accident, our powerhouse team will investigate every detail to establish what happened.
- Filing Your Insurance Claim: If your insurance company is trying to deny your claim because you didn’t report the accident in time, we will negotiate on your behalf. California law supports your right to compensation, and we will ensure your claim is handled fairly.
- Building Your Personal Injury Case: Even if you didn’t report the accident right away, California’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. This means that even with a delay in reporting, you still have time to seek justice and recover damages for your injuries.
- Handling the Other Parties: If another motorist, pedestrian, or third party was involved, we’ll handle communications and negotiations with their insurance or legal team. You don’t need to worry about these complexities—our experienced team will take care of everything.
It’s Not Too Late to Get Help: Contact Wilshire Law Firm
At Wilshire Law Firm, we know that accidents happen quickly, and life after an accident can be overwhelming. If you didn’t report your accident within 24 hours, don’t panic. You still have options, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
Our client-first approach ensures that you get the support you need, no matter the circumstances. We are relentless in fighting for justice, and we will work tirelessly to ensure you are compensated for your injuries. Contact Wilshire Law Firm today and let our billion-dollar team fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
We serve clients in Los Angeles, Oakland, Riverside, Orange County, Fresno, San Jose, San Francisco, and throughout California. Call our home office in Los Angeles at 213-335-2402 or contact us online.
