What Do I Need to File an Accident Report?
By Author David Weissman
If you travel in the Volunteer State, it is important that you understand the laws surrounding motor vehicle accidents and when you are required to contact the authorities. If you were involved in an accident in Tennessee, you may not know if you need to file a police report. Following a crash, you may be confused about what to do, consumed by utter disbelief of what just occurred. While understandable, failing to follow the law may result in your license being suspended and other legal repercussions.
In this blog, our Davidson County car accident lawyers provide an overview of what should be included in an accident report and how you can submit a report if an officer is not called to the scene.
Information You Will Need if You Self-Report
If an officer does not respond to the scene or if you choose to report your accident online, you must file an Owner/Driver Report within 20 days of your crash. Do not leave anything up to your memory. In the aftermath of your collision, you will want to take pictures of any vehicle damage, your injuries, and any other details so that you can provide accurate information on your report.
An Owner/Driver Report will require that you provide the following:
- Date/time/location of your crash
- The names of all drivers involved
- Make/model/year of your vehicle
- Birth date
- Residential address
- Driver’s license number and date of expiration
- The name of your insurance company, policy number, and insurance representative
- Amount of damage to your vehicle
- If any drivers or passengers require medical attention
- Amount of damage to government property
How Can I Submit a Report?
You can submit an Owner/Driver Report online or by mail. If you choose to submit it by mail, you can mail it directly to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDSHS), P.O. Box 945, Nashville, TN 37202. Even if an officer responds to the scene, you should still self-report the accident.
When Do I File a Written Accident Report in TN?
Under Tenn. Code §55-12-104, a person involved in an accident that includes injuries, fatalities, or more than 1,500 in property damage or exceeds $400 in damage to state or government property must file a written accident report with the police. If you fail to comply with the law, your license may be revoked.
Why Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Davidson County?
If you sustained a minor accident, you may think hiring representation is unnecessary. This is a mistake since proving liability can be complicated. The insurance company will require you to provide convincing evidence demonstrating the at-fault driver’s negligence, which is not always easy. Given that most folks do not have experience navigating the complexities of the insurance process, you may fail to provide information that could be essential to your case.
That is where the Davidson County car accident lawyers at Raybin & Weissman, P.C., come in. We will gather the evidence needed to establish your lack of accountability while explaining the process in a way you can easily understand. Resolving an insurance claim does not need to be frustrating. We will see to it that your concerns are answered, demystifying the process of filing a claim.
Reliable Car Accident Attorneys in Davidson County
If you have been injured in a collision, you need skilled counsel to advise you. At Raybin & Weissman, P.C., injury victims know their rights and we do not back down when it comes to insurance negotiations. We are not opposed to litigating your case if we feel you are not being offered the compensation you deserve. Contact us online to arrange your free, no-risk consultation with a Davidson County car accident lawyer.