Can I Report to the Police Several Days After My Car Was Hit?
4 Answers
You can report to the police several days after your car was hit. Below are specific details regarding vehicle scratches: 1. Regulations: According to Article 18 of the "Road Traffic Accident Handling Procedures," if the parties involved did not report the accident at the scene, they can request the traffic management department of the public security authority to handle the matter afterward. The department shall record the case in accordance with Article 10 of the regulations and decide whether to accept the case within three days. 2. Verification: If the traffic management department verifies that the accident did occur, they will accept the case and initiate an investigation. Car owners should report traffic accidents to the police promptly, as this helps the authorities gather evidence, investigate the truth of the accident, and protect the interests of the victims.
A few days ago, my car was parked on the roadside, and I only noticed a dent when I got off work and went home. I was stunned at the time. After waiting a few days, I went to report it to the police. The officers asked some questions and mentioned that it's better to report as soon as possible, as evidence might be lost, but they still filed a case for me. Later, upon reflection, the best course of action would have been to go to the police station or call 110 immediately after the collision, providing the license plate number and location details. They could check surveillance footage to find the responsible party, but in my case, the delay meant no resolution. Insurance claims are also troublesome, requiring a police report to prove it was an accident. I recommend taking photos as evidence if you discover car damage, and even if it's a few days late, reporting it is better than keeping it to yourself. After reporting to the police, repairs become easier, and the portion you have to bear is reduced once responsibility is clarified.
After my car was hit last time, I waited three days before reporting it to the police. It felt a bit late, but thankfully it was still handled. The police said there's no strict time limit for reporting accidents, but they recommend doing it within 24 hours to facilitate evidence collection. Delaying too long might result in surveillance footage being overwritten or witnesses forgetting, reducing the chances of solving the case. Then I contacted the insurance company, which required a police report to process the claim. Without reporting to the police, the insurance might refuse to pay or only cover part of the repair costs, leaving me to pay the rest. In practice, just bring your vehicle documents to the police station and describe the accident. I also took photos to support my case, which helped minimize the final loss. In short, don’t hesitate after a collision—act quickly to protect your interests.
It's entirely possible to report a car accident to the police days after it occurred, as I've personally experienced. Visit the police station as soon as possible to provide your identity and vehicle information, and the officers will document the incident and investigate. For evidence, it's advisable to take photos or seek surveillance footage to avoid difficulties in the investigation. Insurance claims require a police report receipt, and delays might prolong the process. From a safety perspective, timely reporting helps prevent repeat accidents and assists the police in tracking potential hazards. There's essentially no time limit, but the sooner you report, the smoother the process will be.
