You might think you have plenty of time to report a car accident to your insurance company, but waiting too long could cost you your right to compensation. Delays can make or break your ability to recover damages, and insurance companies are quick to use them against you.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about reporting deadlines, police involvement, and the car insurance claims process. You’ll also learn what to do if your claim is denied and how to maximize your settlement with the right documentation.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, schedule a consultation with Leeson & Leeson today. Our car accident lawyers will help you gather evidence, meet critical deadlines, and build the strongest possible claim to pursue the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do You Have to Report a Car Accident?
Ideally, you should report your car accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Make sure you call the police to the accident scene to create a formal record of what happened.
The Importance of Quickly Reporting to Your Insurance Company
Car accident reports are time-sensitive, so it’s important to report the crash to your insurance company while:
- The evidence is fresh
- Your memory is clear
- You can provide documentation either to your attorney or to the insurer directly
Prompt action allows your attorney to negotiate a settlement or help you resolve the case with the insurance company for the maximum compensation.
The Legal Deadline (Statute of Limitations) for Reporting A Car Accident
The statute of limitations in Pennsylvania dictates that you must file a personal injury claim within two years of the car accident.
If you wait beyond this period:
- You lose your right to make a claim
- You forfeit any compensation
- Your case cannot proceed
While you technically have two years to file a claim, do not wait that long. If you contact an attorney too close to this deadline, they’ll be scrambling to put together a lawsuit before time runs out, which could impact your chances of winning compensation.
Do You Always Have to Report a Car Accident?
In Pennsylvania, the law requires you to call the police to the scene if there’s a car accident involving:
- Injury or death
- A vehicle that cannot be driven safely from the scene and requires towing
This ensures a formal record of the accident is created.
However, if both parties resolve the matter amicably, there’s no requirement to contact insurance companies though this is not advisable.
Why? Without legal counsel, you might overlook:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Other compensable losses
Always speak with a car accident attorney first to ensure you understand the full scope of damages you may be entitled to.
How to File a Car Insurance Claim
If you’ve been in a car accident, gather evidence and documentation to support your claim for compensation. Filing a claim properly moves the process along faster and strengthens your position if the insurer questions the damages or coverage.
Follow these steps to file your claim properly:
- Call the Police: Immediately after the accident, make sure everyone is safe and call 911. A police report creates an official record, which is often required by insurance companies.
- Notify Your Insurance Company Promptly: Contact your insurer as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours. You can usually start the process through a mobile app, website, or by calling their claims department directly. Be prepared to share:
- Your policy number
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Contact and insurance information for other parties involved
- Document Everything: While still at the scene (if safe), take photos of:
- Vehicle damage
- License plates
- Road conditions and traffic signs
- Injuries (if visible)
- Witness contact information
- Request a Copy of the Police Report: This report includes important details about fault and citations. You can request it from the responding police department, which may take a few days to process.
- Get a Damage Estimate: Depending on your insurer’s process, you may be required to visit a specific repair shop or upload photos for a virtual inspection.
When building your case with a car accident attorney, you’ll need the following documents to strengthen your claim:
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Photos and witness statements
- Proof of expenses
These documents allow us to build a solid case and demonstrate the car accident’s full impact on your life.
The Importance of Working with a Car Accident Lawyer
If your injuries are serious or you’re unsure what damages you’re entitled to, speak with an attorney. A car accident lawyer will:
- Identify damages you might miss
- Negotiate higher compensation
- Protect your rights throughout the insurance process
In short: Documentation, documentation, documentation. The more support you can provide, the stronger your claim.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Insurance Claim?
The timeline for settling a car accident claim depends on several factors:
- The severity of the injury
- How quickly you gather documentation
- Whether or not the insurance company agrees to settle
To speed up the process, provide your attorney with:
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Insurance documentation
- Any relevant bills
If you seek maximum damages, you may need to file a lawsuit, which can extend this timeline.
What to Do if Your Car Insurance Claim is Denied
If your insurance claim is denied, don’t panic. Denials are more common than you may think, and many are based on disputable interpretations of evidence or policy language. Here’s what you should do next:
1. Review the Denial Letter Carefully
The insurance company is required to explain why your claim was denied. Common reasons for denials may include:
- Disputes over fault
- Alleged policy exclusions
- Missed deadlines for reporting or filing
- Insufficient documentation
- Gaps in medical treatment (which insurers may use to argue your injuries weren’t serious)
Understanding the specific reason for the denial will guide your next steps.
2. Gather and Reevaluate Your Documentation
Once you know why the claim was denied, revisit your records and supporting materials. This includes:
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Photos of the accident scene
- Repair estimates
- Any communications with the insurance company
Compare these documents to the explanation in the denial letter. Often, a simple documentation update can resolve the issue.
3. Contact an Attorney
If you believe the denial was unjustified or based on incorrect assumptions, consult a car accident attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer will:
- Review your insurance policy in detail
- Determine whether the denial violates Pennsylvania insurance laws
- Draft a formal appeal
- Negotiate directly with the insurance company
- File a bad faith insurance claim if the denial appears to be intentionally unjust
Insurance adjusters are not lawyers. They often misinterpret facts, misapply legal standards, and wrongfully deny valid claims.
4. File an Internal Appeal
Most insurance companies offer a process to appeal denied claims. You’ll typically need to:
- Submit a written appeal
- Include all updated documentation
- Provide a written explanation of why the denial was in error
An attorney can help you submit the appeal within the specified timeframe, often 30 to 60 days from the date of the denial.
5. File a Complaint with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department
If the insurer fails to respond appropriately, you or your attorney can file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. This state agency will investigate whether the company acted improperly and force them to justify their decision.
6. Consider Legal Action
If all else fails, your attorney can file a lawsuit against the insurance company. If they’ve acted in bad faith you may be entitled your original compensation as well as additional damages and attorney’s fees under Pennsylvania law (42 Pa.C.S. § 8371).
Maximize Your Compensation with Leeson & Leeson
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, Leeson & Leeson’s car accident attorneys will guide you through every step of your insurance claim. We’ll help you file accurately, avoid costly mistakes, and fight for the full compensation you’re entitled to.
Schedule your consultation with our car accident lawyers today to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
