How long can you wait to deal with a car accident?
4 Answers
According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law" enacted by the National People's Congress, vehicles can only be detained under the circumstances where traffic police collect evidence. Detention is for the purpose of gathering evidence, not for compensation. Appraisal should be commissioned within three days from the end of the accident scene investigation. The duration of inspection and appraisal should not exceed 20 days. If it exceeds, it must be reported to the higher-level public security department for approval, with a maximum extension of 60 days. Below is an introduction to vehicle insurance: 1. Compulsory Traffic Insurance: This is a mandatory insurance required by the state. If not purchased, traffic police may impose fines. This insurance offers limited compensation, mainly covering others, and does not cover the policyholder's own vehicle. 2. Third-party Liability Insurance: This is used to compensate for losses caused by the policyholder to third parties in terms of personal injury or death. It is essential to purchase this insurance as it provides protection for both the policyholder and others. 3. Vehicle Damage Insurance: This covers losses to the policyholder's own vehicle caused by natural disasters and accidents. It is recommended for new drivers. 4. No-fault Insurance: An additional insurance that transfers the policyholder's own liability to the insurance company, reducing the policyholder's losses. If both Vehicle Damage Insurance and Third-party Liability Insurance are purchased, it is advisable to also purchase No-fault Insurance.
I have been driving for over a decade and encountered several car accidents. Based on my experience, the faster you handle it, the better. It's best to deal with it on the same day because evidence at the scene can easily disappear, such as surveillance footage being stored for a short time or witnesses' memories becoming fuzzy. Especially if the accident involves serious personal injury or property damage, the law requires reporting within a short period, and rules vary by region. For example, some places require reporting to the police within 24 hours; otherwise, you may face additional liabilities. Additionally, delaying too long might cause the insurance claim deadline to expire. Insurance companies usually expect to be notified within a few days of the accident; otherwise, it could affect the compensation process. Once, I waited three days to report an accident while on a business trip, and when I confronted the other driver, they denied responsibility, leaving me to pay for the repairs myself. So my advice is: if your car gets hit, don’t hesitate—stop immediately, secure the scene, take photos for evidence, and contact your insurance company and the traffic police.
As someone who frequently assists friends with auto insurance matters, I place great emphasis on the post-accident processing time. Taking prompt action after an accident is the safest approach, ideally resolving it within 24 hours. The reasons are straightforward: safety risks and the potential loss of evidence, such as body damage that could lead to suspension deformation, posing hazards if driven further. Insurance claim deadlines are typically strict, with most companies requiring accident reports to be submitted within 48 hours; otherwise, the process becomes more complicated and may even result in claim denial. From a legal perspective, delays in handling third-party liability cases can easily lead to disputes. A friend of mine waited a whole week to address the issue, only to find the surveillance footage gone and witness statements conflicting, resulting in much more effort being required. My advice is to stop the vehicle immediately, protect the scene, and make the necessary calls without delay.
From a driving experience perspective, don't delay handling a car accident for more than one day. After an accident, safety first—stop and inspect, take photos immediately, and contact the police and insurance. Delaying carries high risks: evidence like tire marks or surveillance footage may be lost, affecting liability determination; insurance reporting windows are short—failure to report within, say, 72 hours may lead to claim denial. I recall a rainy-day accident where waiting two days caused water to seep into cracks, leading to rust and more expensive repairs. So, timely handling saves money and hassle.
