How long after being hit can you not report to the police before it becomes invalid?
4 Answers
Currently, there are no legal provisions that clearly stipulate how long after being hit you can not report to the police before it becomes invalid. However, if you report the incident to the police after a long period of time, the traffic police department may not accept the case due to the inability to verify the authenticity of the accident. Additionally, even if the traffic police accept the case, the longer the time since the accident occurred, the more difficult it becomes to analyze the accident and collect evidence. Relevant legal provisions regarding the aforementioned accident reporting time: If the parties involved in a road traffic accident do not report to the police and later request the traffic management department of the public security authority to handle the case after the accident scene has been cleared, the traffic management department of the public security authority shall record the case according to the prescribed content and make a decision within three days on whether to accept the case. If the facts of the road traffic accident are verified to exist, the traffic management department of the public security authority shall accept the case and prepare a case registration form; if it cannot be verified that the facts of the road traffic accident exist, or if the case does not fall under the jurisdiction of the traffic management department of the public security authority, the parties involved shall be notified in writing and the reasons shall be explained.
That time I got rear-ended, I only remembered to call the police three days later, and they said the evidence was gone and it would be hard to investigate. Generally speaking, you should report a collision as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours. Otherwise, the accident scene changes, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and no one can clarify who’s at fault. Especially if you’re injured—if you don’t report it immediately, medical expenses can’t be claimed in time. I learned my lesson that time—the insurance company asked for proof of immediate police report, which I couldn’t provide, so I had to cover the losses myself. Remember, after a car accident, don’t just focus on getting the car repaired. Call 110 or find a traffic police officer right away, ensure safety, and take photos for evidence.
I've been hit a few times and learned a lesson: don't delay calling the police for too long. Accidents should be dealt with immediately. Typically, the law requires reporting within 24 hours. Beyond this timeframe, the police may refuse to handle the case because the scene is compromised, making it difficult to determine liability. This not only affects legal rulings but also impacts insurance claims. For example, last time, my neighbor waited three days to report, and the insurance company outright denied the claim, citing insufficient evidence. So, it's advisable to call the police as soon as an accident occurs, while also recording the other party's license plate, contact information, and scene details to avoid complications.
In case of a car accident, report to the police quickly. I think it's best to call the police immediately after the collision, don't wait until the next day. The reason is simple: over time, witnesses may disappear, road surveillance footage might get deleted, and it becomes difficult for the police to help you uncover the truth. Once, I had a minor scrape and thought it was no big deal, so I didn't report it urgently. Later, the other party denied responsibility, and the insurance company refused to compensate because the time limit had passed. My advice is to stop the car immediately after an accident, call 110 or contact the traffic police, and take photos of the scene. Safety comes first.
