Do I Have to Report a Minor Car Accident in Philadelphia?

In Pennsylvania, you are legally required to report a car accident to the police if it results in any injury, death, or if a vehicle is too damaged to be driven away. If none of those conditions apply, you are not legally obligated to call the police from the scene.

However, Philadelphia police policy states they will not respond to minor, non-injury accidents. This leaves the reporting responsibility entirely up to you, and what appears “minor” at first quickly becomes complicated. A seemingly small fender-bender might hide frame damage, and minor soreness could develop into a chronic injury days later.

Failing to create an official record makes it difficult to get compensation for repairs and medical care later.. If you have a question about your accident, call us at (215) 567-7600.

What Is the Official Rule for Reporting a Car Accident in Pennsylvania?

After a minor collision, the biggest point of confusion is whether you legally need to involve the police. It might feel like an overreaction for a simple dent or scratch, and the other driver might even suggest handling it with cash to avoid insurance.

This informal agreement has risks. Without a police report, the other driver could later deny the accident happened, change their story, or even claim you were at fault. If you discover your neck hurts the next day, you have no official documentation linking your injury to the crash. The state also imposes penalties, like a potential driver’s license suspension, for failing to report an accident when required by law.

Pennsylvania law provides a clear, three-part test for when you must immediately notify the police:

1. Does anyone have an injury? According to Pennsylvania Vehicle Code § 3746, any level of injury, even if it seems small, triggers the requirement to report the crash. This includes a passenger complaining of whiplash or a driver with a minor cut.
2. Did a death occur? This is thankfully rare in minor accidents but is the most serious trigger for an immediate police report.
3. Does a vehicle need a tow truck? If a car, truck, or motorcycle cannot be safely driven from the scene under its own power, the law requires you to report it. This is about function, not just appearance; a car with a crushed bumper but a working engine may still be “drivable,” while a car with a seemingly minor fluid leak might not be.

If the answer to all three questions is “no,” you are not required to call the police to the scene.

The Police Didn’t Come to My Accident. What Do I Do Now?

You called 911 after a crash, but the dispatcher told you that because no one was hurt, officers would not be sent. This is standard practice in Philadelphia for minor accidents. You are now standing on the side of the road with no official police presence and no report.

The lack of a police response does not mean the reporting requirement disappears. The legal burden simply shifts to you. 

Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3747, if police do not investigate a reportable accident (one involving injury or a towed vehicle), you must file a driver’s report with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) yourself. You have a strict deadline of five days to submit this report. Missing this deadline could jeopardize your insurance claim and your driving privileges.

You must complete and file the AA-600 Driver’s Accident Report Form.

• What is the AA-600? It is a state-issued form that serves as the official record of the accident when police do not create their own. It details what happened, where it happened, who was involved, and the extent of the damage.
• Where do I find it? The form is available for download on the PennDOT website (linked above).
• How do I fill it out? Be as precise as possible. Include the exact location, time of day, weather conditions, and a diagram of the collision. Do not guess or speculate about fault. Stick to the facts you know.
• What do I do with it? The completed form must be mailed to the address listed on the form itself within five days of the accident. It’s wise to send it via certified mail to have proof of delivery and keep a copy for your own records.

Why You Should Still Create a Report, Even if the Law Doesn’t Require It

Let’s say your accident doesn’t meet the legal test. No one is hurt, and both cars are drivable. The other driver is apologetic and suggests you both just forget about it or handle it with a private cash payment. It seems like the easiest way out.

But what happens a week from now?

• Delayed Injuries: The adrenaline from a crash masks injuries. Pain from whiplash or a concussion may not appear for hours or even days. Without a report, it becomes your word against theirs that the injury happened in the accident.
• Hidden Damage: A cracked bumper could be hiding a bent frame. A mechanic might find that the “minor” damage will actually cost several thousand dollars to fix. Since Pennsylvania recently raised the property damage threshold for reporting to PennDOT, many costly accidents are still considered “minor.”
• The Other Driver Changes Their Story: The friendly driver at the scene may later tell their insurance company a completely different version of events, claiming you were at fault.

Creating an official record is about protecting yourself from these future unknowns. An accident report, even one you file yourself at a police district, serves as a timestamped, factual account of the incident. It is strong evidence that anchors your insurance claim to a specific event and set of facts, preventing the narrative from changing.

Even for a non-reportable accident, you still have the ability to document it. Go to any Philadelphia police district and ask to file a report. They may not investigate, but they can take down the information, which creates an official record. At a minimum, notify your own insurance company immediately. This simple step saves you from significant financial and legal headaches down the road.

What Are My Responsibilities in the First 5 Days After a Philly Car Accident?

Now that you are home, the clock is ticking on a few key responsibilities. Acting promptly is not just good advice; it’s a legal requirement in some cases.

• Day 1: Notify Your Insurance Company. Your insurance policy is a contract, and that contract requires you to report any potential claim in a timely manner. Call the number on your insurance card and inform them of the accident. Stick to the basic facts of what happened. Do not admit fault or speculate. 
• Days 1-5: See a Doctor. If you feel any pain, stiffness, or disorientation, get a medical evaluation. Some injuries are not immediately obvious. A doctor’s report creates a link between the accident and your physical condition.
• Within 5 Days: File the AA-600 Form (If Required). As mentioned earlier, if your accident involved an injury or a towed vehicle and the police did not file a report, you must submit the AA-600 form to PennDOT yourself. 

How Does Pennsylvania’s “No-Fault” System Affect My Accident Report?

You may have heard Pennsylvania is a “no-fault” insurance state. This is a legal concept that is commonly misunderstood.

• What “No-Fault” Means: Simply put, it means your own car insurance policy is your first source of payment for medical bills, up to your policy limit, regardless of who caused the accident. This is called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP.
• Why Reporting Is Still Necessary: No-fault does not mean the other driver is free from responsibility. Fault still determines who pays for vehicle repairs. More importantly, if your medical bills exceed your PIP coverage or your injuries are serious, you may still have the right to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance for costs your own policy doesn’t cover. This type of legal action is known as a tort claim.

An accident report is the foundation of determining fault. Without it, you may struggle to prove the other driver’s negligence and hold them accountable for the full scope of your damages, especially if you need to file a claim beyond your own no-fault benefits.

Our Firm Ensures Your Report Is Filed Correctly and On Time

The days following an accident are stressful. You should be focused on your recovery, not wrestling with government forms and strict deadlines.

When you work with our firm, we handle these administrative burdens for you. Our team will make sure the AA-600 form is completed accurately and submitted to PennDOT well before the five-day deadline. We will also manage all communications with the insurance companies involved.

Our role is to manage these procedural requirements so you can concentrate on getting better. We have years of experience handling car accident claims in Philadelphia and understand precisely how to document a case from the very beginning.

An Accident Report is Your First Line of Defense

Don’t let confusion about reporting rules weaken your right to compensation. 

If you need help filing a report or are unsure of your next steps, call Leonard Hill – Personal Injury Lawyers And Car Accident Lawyers for a clear path forward.

Call us at (215) 567-7600 today.