Is It Useful to Report to the Police If the Rearview Mirror Is Hit?
2 Answers
A collision involving the side mirror is considered a minor traffic accident. If both parties can reach an agreement through communication, there is no need to report to the police. Simply take photos at the scene and submit them to the insurance company for processing. The side mirror is like the eyes of a person. The optimal position for the side mirror is where the horizon between the sky and the ground should be in the upper half of the mirror. This means that two-thirds of the ground and one-third of the sky should be visible in the side mirror, ensuring a comprehensive view of most road conditions. Here is additional information: Rearview Mirror: To adjust the interior rearview mirror, the driver should be able to clearly observe the rear road conditions after sitting in position. The principle is to prioritize lower angles to gather more ground information. Additionally, it is important to note that some car owners prefer to place large items near the rear window, which can significantly obstruct the rearview.
I've been driving for over 20 years and have encountered several instances where my side mirrors got hit. Whether calling the police is useful really depends on the specific situation. If the perpetrator fled the scene immediately, then reporting to the police is definitely helpful—they can check surveillance footage to identify the person or document the incident, which serves as proof for insurance claims later. However, if the damage is minor, like just replacing a mirror cover for a couple hundred yuan, reporting might actually waste time since the police may be too busy to handle it. Last time when my parked car's mirror got scraped by someone and I couldn't identify who did it, I just took photos and filed an insurance claim without involving the police, and the issue was resolved. The key advice is to park in safe spots away from blind zones and install a dashcam in your car—it makes gathering evidence easier if something happens. Never drive with a broken side mirror; the increased blind spots are extremely dangerous and prone to causing accidents. Overall, calling the police is a backup option suitable for significant damages or when there are suspect clues—for minor issues, handling them yourself is more practical and hassle-free.
