Road accidents happen frequently globally, and Australia is no exception. Despite such accidents, we should be ready to report them to the right authorities through a vehicle accident report. Why are we raising awareness about this report? Let’s look at some official data below.
Transport for NSW’s Road Traffic Casualty Statistical Statement for 2022 indicates that the total number of crashes reached 11,963, and the total number of casualties (including those killed, seriously injured, moderately injured, and minorly injured) reached 14,841.
These are staggering numbers, and one can only imagine unreported/undocumented ones because of the absence of a vehicle accident report or people who don’t know how to submit one.
When Do You Submit This Report?
While generally helpful, if you are a person reporting a traffic accident, you don’t need to submit one right away. To know when to submit one, you can follow these conditions:
| When to submit a vehicle accident report | When not to submit a vehicle accident report |
| 1. The situation is NOT an emergency or life-threatening. 2. You are no longer at the scene of the crash. 3. No drivers/riders appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 4. No persons were seriously injured or killed. 5. All drivers/riders/owners have exchanged particulars (information). 6. At least one vehicle had to be towed because of the crash. 7. You require a NSW Police Event number for insurance purposes. | 1. The situation IS an emergency or life-threatening. 2. You are still at the scene of the crash. 3. A driver/rider appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 4. A person has been seriously injured or killed. 5. A driver/rider/owner left the scene without exchanging particulars. If any of the above apply, you should report this through other means (likely calling 000 or a police assistance line) |
What Else Should You Prepare?
In preparing a vehicle accident report, you must have the following details:
- Your email address.
- Details of the crash, including the time and date (when the crash occurred), and location.
- Details of all the people involved in the crash, including description, registration number, and state.
- Name and address of all other involved parties and any damaged property owners.
- Name, address and date of birth of any person/s travelling within your vehicle who sustained minor injuries.
To submit a vehicle accident report online for non-emergency cases, follow this link and answer the questions. However, the NSW Police Force Community Portal does not accept all kinds of reports. You must answer a brief questionnaire to find out if the minor traffic collision you would like to report can be reported online.
Remember that you CAN’T submit a vehicle accident report online if:
- The incident occurred IS an emergency or life-threatening
- You are still at the scene of the crash
- A driver/rider appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- A person has been seriously injured or killed
- A driver/rider/owner left the scene without exchanging particulars
READ: Accident Compensation Claims
Additional Tips for a Vehicle Accident Report
For future reference, here are some additional tips in preparing for a vehicle accident report in NSW, Australia:
- Gather Evidence at the Scene (if safe to do so). Gathering evidence of the scene of the accident will establish the damage that the collision has caused. Take note of skid marks, road signs, and any injuries to the persons involved. You can also politely request from the witnesses their personal details and ask them for a short description of what happened. Moreover, car dashcams may also be helpful if they’re available.
- Document the traffic crash. Reporting a crash will include the date, time, and location where the accident took place. If possible, get the names of the drivers and passengers, and the car licences and plate numbers of all vehicles involved.
- Contact Your Insurance Company. If you’re not terribly injured by the vehicle involved, inform your insurance company immediately about the accident so they can assist you in processing your claim.
Vehicle Accident Report FAQs
| Q: When are police required to attend and investigate crashes? A: If the traffic crash meets the ‘Major Traffic Crash’ criteria, the Police must attend and investigate. This is when any of the three circumstances occur: – Someone is killed or injured, or – A party fails to stop and exchange particulars, or – A driver is allegedly under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug. |
| Q: Will police station officers attend crashes that do not meet the ‘Major Traffic Crash’ criteria? A: Yes, there are situations when they should still go to the crash site: The police need to direct traffic or deal with hazards, or A bus or truck needs to be towed, or There are hazards present (eg. leaking fluids, damage to power poles/structures, etc), or There are other issues requiring police attendance (e.g. aggressive/criminal behaviour etc). |
| Q: Should I call the police if there is serious property damage at the accident scene? A: Yes, if the crash is of a peculiar nature and there is serious damage to property that might cause more damage or obstruction, call the police immediately so they can determine what to do based on those circumstances. |
| How will it be determined who is ‘at fault’ in ‘Tow Away Only’ crashes if police do not investigate? A: To determine who is at fault if there is damage, call your insurance company and/or legal representatives. Insurance companies will determine who is liable depending on their set of rules, and a police report/crash report can help with investigation procedures. Moreover, drivers involved in the crash must report ‘Tow Away Only’ crashes to the police when they leave the crash site (call Police Assistance Line on 131 444). |
Do you have more questions about police crash reporting? Click here
Make a Vehicle Accident Report With Us
If you’ve been injured in a car crash recently and you have accident insurance, you may have personal injury claims or insurance claims. However, complications may arise during the process, and you may not receive any claims.
A traffic attorney from JB Solicitors can represent you and make sure that your personal injury claim runs smoothly. We can also investigate the accident, gather evidence to support your claims, and communicate with insurance providers on your behalf.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about how to file a traffic or collision report.
