What to Do If the Injured Party Refuses to Sign and the Traffic Police Keep Impounding the Vehicle?
4 Answers
Solution for the traffic police keeping the vehicle impounded due to the injured party refusing to sign: After the vehicle is impounded, the traffic police department will issue an accident liability determination report once they obtain the vehicle inspection report and clarify the cause of the accident. If the other party refuses to sign at this point, it will not affect the retrieval of the vehicle. The owner only needs to retrieve the vehicle within a certain period after the accident liability determination report is issued. According to regulations, for the purpose of collecting evidence, the traffic management department of the public security authority may impound the accident vehicle and the motor vehicle driving license and issue an administrative compulsory measure certificate. The ultimate purpose of collecting evidence is to determine the cause of the accident to better assign responsibility between the parties. Therefore, once the cause of the accident is determined, the traffic police department no longer has the legal right to continue impounding the vehicle and should release the impoundment and return the vehicle.
I have personally experienced a similar situation. After that accident, the injured party refused to sign the liability statement, and the traffic police kept impounding my car for investigation purposes. It was almost a month without any release. That period was truly anxiety-inducing—without the car, even commuting to work became difficult. I understand the injured party might have been afraid that signing would lead to unclear liability determination affecting compensation, or they might have had emotional issues. At the time, I proactively reached out to the injured party, calmly explained the accident process, provided evidence, and even involved an insurance agent to help mediate. Additionally, I submitted a written appeal to the traffic police department, bringing witness testimonies and dashcam footage to prove the other party’s liability. If communication proves ineffective, I recommend consulting a professional lawyer for assistance—they can handle administrative appeals or litigation to compel the police to release the car. Remember to keep all call records and evidence, and avoid emotional reactions to prevent escalation. Prolonged vehicle impoundment may also affect insurance claims, so act quickly to minimize losses.
From a professional perspective, traffic police impounding vehicles is usually for evidence collection in accident investigations. The injured party's signature may relate to liability determination, which requires proper handling. As an ordinary person, I would first calmly analyze the accident details to confirm the reason for the injured party's refusal to sign - perhaps concerns about insufficient compensation or communication barriers. I recommend proactively reaching out to the injured party for sincere communication, expressing goodwill by offering partial advance compensation to alleviate their concerns. Simultaneously, contact the traffic police to request vehicle inspection and clarification on the legal impoundment period, which generally shouldn't exceed 30 days for investigation purposes. Collect evidence such as dashcam footage, surveillance videos, or witness statements to prove liability, and submit written appeal materials. If negotiations fail, consider seeking legal assistance to file administrative reconsideration or court proceedings for compulsory vehicle release. The entire process requires patience and conflict avoidance to prevent extended impoundment periods that could affect daily commuting and subsequent insurance settlements.
Don't panic in this situation. The first step is to directly contact the injured party to understand why they refuse to sign—it might be a misunderstanding or emotional issue. Try to communicate calmly and express your willingness to cooperate. Next, visit the traffic police station to inquire about the specific reasons. Bring evidence to clarify the facts, such as accident photos or recordings proving your innocence, and request the prompt release of your vehicle. If communication fails, consult your insurance company—they often have experience handling such disputes and can offer mediation assistance. If that still doesn't work, seek legal help to protect your rights through proper channels and prevent prolonged vehicle impoundment from affecting your use. Solid evidence is key—maintain thorough documentation throughout the process to safeguard your rights.
