The process of handling car crash consequences can last for months. People may wait an hour or more for a police officer to come put together a collision report. They have to arrange to repair their vehicles, undergo medical care and negotiate with insurance companies. The entire process can be quite lengthy and frustrating.
In some cases, the people involved in a car crash may have what seems like a more expedient option available to them. The driver who caused the collision might offer to settle the matter privately by covering collision costs with their own resources. They may promise to pay for medical care and vehicle repair costs.
Such promises can seem like a viable alternative to the frustration of waiting for police, communicating with insurance and negotiating for every last penny of compensation. Unfortunately, people who settle under the table may have a more difficult time than they may anticipate in recouping their losses.
Crash reports help protect injured parties
The law mandates a specific process after a car crash for several reasons. One of those reasons is the need to have official state records of the incident. Without a police report identifying the parties involved and the details of the incident, it is one driver’s word against another’s if they try to demand accountability later.
Insurance companies may not agree to pay claims without a valid crash report from local authorities. Even the pursuit of compensation through civil litigation can be challenging when there aren’t official documents affirming that the crash occurred.
Delays can leave people with fewer options
An under-the-table settlement could result in immediate payment of certain expenses. Other times, the two parties may communicate sporadically for weeks or months. The driver who wasn’t at fault for the crash may be a bit more patient about delays when dealing with an individual as opposed to an insurance company.
In some cases, the process may stretch out for so long that pursuing a lawsuit against the driver at fault may no longer be an option. There are statutes of limitations that apply after a car crash. If people don’t file a lawsuit within three years in Washington or two years in Florida, they may lose the opportunity to take legal action.
Failing to file a crash report is technically a violation of the law. Anyone involved in collisions causing property damage or injury has a legal obligation to notify local authorities. Doing so also protects their right to seek compensation later.
If another driver offers cash or direct payment for collision expenses, that may seem like a tempting suggestion. Drivers who know how easily such arrangements fall apart can more confidently decline private settlement offers and move forward with the appropriate crash reporting process. Seeking compensation after a car wreck is typically easier when people seek legal guidance and formalize their settlement arrangements.