SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Many people think that the first thing you should do in a car accident is call 911. This is not always the case, especially if it was a minor accident.

The Springfield Police Department encourages drivers to learn about policies regarding reporting a crash without the need for intervention from a police officer.

“If there are no injuries, both parties have insurance, and there are no signs of impairment as with drugs or alcohol, then citizens can pull over to the side of the road and exchange information, i.e. your name, address, phone number. “Once you have the number and insurance company information, one or both can come to the police station and fill out the citizens’ accident report and turn it in to receive a report number,” said Sergeant Ben Haines with SPD.

Under Missouri law, you are required to share certain information. This includes name, full address, license plate number and driver’s license number. SPD also encourages you to share vehicle and insurance information, even if it’s not required.

“We prefer everyone to change it because it’s easier. A lot of times accidents involve, you know, a minor criminal matter, like someone violated a traffic law, but it’s actually a civil matter to get your car repaired. And insurance companies, you know, the quicker you share that information, the quicker people can take their cars to repair shops and get them fixed,” said Sgt. Haines.

Not sharing this information may mean punishment. Officers will collect this information either through the citizens’ accident report or the crime scene officer’s report.

“You need to exchange lost powers with the state. It’s unlikely you’ll be charged with leaving the scene. As long as you leave your name, your phone number, you actually have to share your driver’s license information with each other,” said Sgt. Haines.

SPD says they choose not to send an officer to every accident, but it’s still important to go to headquarters and provide accident reports to citizens.

“The reason we want these crash reports done is because our traffic engineers use that information to design our roads and the government uses that information when they distribute grants and other things, so the more crashes that are reported, the more likely it is to help repair roads and maybe get rid of those that are a little bit dangerous.” We are more likely to get grant money to supply officers for intersections and roads,” said Sgt. Haines.

Now you can request an officer, but this does not always happen.

“It depends. If anything, like I said, if there’s an injury, if someone doesn’t have insurance, if they don’t have a driver’s license, if they have any impairment or anything like that, we may or may not get a report, depending on what the incident is.” said Sergeant. Haines.

Moreover, you may find yourself waiting longer.

“I’m going to wait longer to get an officer, people are busy and have other things to do. Again, we can’t determine fault for the accident. When we get out we can issue a summons for a traffic violation, but that summons doesn’t necessarily mean you’re at fault. The actual fault is determined by your insurance company,” said Sgt. . Haines.

If you see any signs of impairment, lack of licence, damage to property outside vehicles or disturbance, you should call the police.

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