Do I always have to call the police in case of an accident?
December 1, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Hildegard Falk
Dear lawyer,
My name is Hanna Bergmann and I am contacting you with a question regarding traffic law. A few days ago, I had a minor accident in the parking lot of a supermarket. Another driver was reversing out of a parking space and lightly damaged my car in the process. We exchanged our contact information and I took note of his insurance details. He said we could settle the matter without involving the police.
Now I am worried if that was the right decision. Do I always have to call the police in case of an accident? I am unsure if I did everything correctly and if I might face any legal consequences. My car has received some scratches and I am unsure who will cover the repair costs.
What should I do in such a situation? Are there any legal steps I should take? How can I ensure that my rights as an accident victim are protected? I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide me with some advice on how to proceed in the future if something like this happens again.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Kind regards,
Hanna Bergmann
Dear Mrs. Bergmann,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding traffic law. It is understandable that you are feeling uncertain after an accident in a supermarket parking lot and are wondering if you did everything correctly. Generally, there is no legal obligation to call the police in case of a traffic accident on private property such as a supermarket parking lot. Therefore, it was generally acceptable that you and the other driver decided to handle the matter privately.
However, it is important that you follow some steps to ensure that your rights as a victim of the accident are protected. Firstly, it is important that you have taken down the contact details of the other driver, as well as their insurance information. It would also be advisable to take photos of the damages to both vehicles as evidence for future claims for damages.
Regarding the repair costs for your vehicle, you should contact the insurance of the at-fault driver. You have the right to compensation for the damages to your vehicle. The at-fault driver's insurance should cover the repair costs if they acted negligently.
If there are complications or disagreements with the at-fault driver's insurance, you can seek the assistance of a traffic law attorney. An attorney can help you assert your rights and, if necessary, take legal steps to represent your interests.
In the future, it is advisable to follow these steps in case of an accident in a supermarket parking lot or other private property: Take down the contact details of the other party, take photos of the damages, exchange insurance information, and, if necessary, inform the police if there are injuries or if the accident occurred under the influence of alcohol.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am available if you have any further questions. Thank you for your trust and all the best for resolving the accident situation.
Kind regards,
Hildegard Falk, Attorney at Law
