Accident Reporting & Insurance Flashcards

After a traffic accident resulting in injury, within how many hours must you typically report the incident to the police?

Answer: 24 hours

Most jurisdictions require drivers involved in injury accidents to report the incident to police within 24 hours if police did not attend the scene.

Which of the following is the FIRST action you should take immediately after a collision?

Answer: Stop your vehicle and check for injuries

The first and most critical step after a collision is to stop and check whether anyone has been injured, as life safety takes priority over everything else.

What information is it MANDATORY to exchange with the other driver after an accident?

Answer: Name, address, insurance details, and driver's license number

Drivers must exchange full identifying and insurance details including name, address, insurance information, and driver's license number to allow proper claims processing.

If an accident involves only property damage with no injuries, when is a written crash report to the DMV generally required?

Answer: When damage exceeds a specified threshold (e.g., $1,000 or more)

Most states require a written crash report to the DMV only when property damage meets or exceeds a defined dollar threshold, which varies by state.

Which document proves that a driver has met the state's minimum auto insurance requirements?

Answer: Certificate of insurance or insurance ID card

A certificate of insurance or insurance ID card is the document that law enforcement and other parties use to verify minimum coverage compliance.

What is 'uninsured motorist coverage' designed to protect you from?

Answer: Injuries and damages when the at-fault driver has no insurance

Uninsured motorist coverage compensates you for injuries or vehicle damage caused by a driver who carries no liability insurance.

Which type of liability insurance covers bodily injury to OTHER people when you are at fault in an accident?

Answer: Bodily injury liability

Bodily injury liability pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and legal costs of people injured in an accident for which you are at fault.