Is It Worth Filing a Claim if There Were No Injuries?

An accident can happen at any time, but not every car crash leads to serious bodily injury. Sometimes the damage is only a couple of scratches and dents. In these cases, many people wonder, since it was a minor accident, if it's worth the process of filing an insurance claim.

Skipping a claim is a simple choice, but it's not always the best choice. Even if there are no injuries, if the car is badly damaged, or if it's only a fender bender, it doesn't matter. It might be the best choice to sue following a car accident, even if there were no injuries. 

Understanding What “No Injuries” Really Means in Car Accident Claims

It may seem obvious if a person has injuries following a car accident. However, this just isn't true. It's very possible that an injury could occur, even if someone says, "I'm not hurt." Serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, or soft tissue damage, may not present themselves until hours or even days following the crash. 

For instance, someone might feel fine when at the scene, but the next morning they may wake up with a stiff neck or headache. This is one reason why it's worth filing a claim. This ensures that there is a record of the accident, which is extremely important should injuries pop up later. Without having things like an accident report or auto insurance claim, it's much more difficult to link the injury to the accident. Powell Law Firm can help answer questions like Is it worth hiring a lawyer after a minor car accident?

Reasons People Don't File a Car Insurance Claim When an Accident is Minor

There are a number of reasons why a person may not file when involved in an auto accident. Here are just a few: 

• Fear of higher premiums - Many people assume that if they report the accident, their insurance company will automatically raise their rates.

• Don't think the damage is bad enough - Some drivers greatly underestimate the cost of repairs. The cost to repair minor damage, like a bumper, can be hundreds of dollars, if not more. 

• Don't want the hassle - It's also possible that you don't notify your insurance company because you don't want the hassle of paperwork and filing a claim with your insurance. 

• Don't want to cause conflict - Sometimes, the other driver is someone the victim knows like a friend, a co-worker, or a family member. In these cases, they may decide to skip trading insurance information and settle things privately. 

Though these things might sound practical right after the accident, they can lead to financial and legal challenges if you try to file a claim later. 

Benefits of Filing a Claim After a Car Accident Without Injuries

There are benefits when you report an accident with no injuries. Here are a few of them:

• Repair costs are covered - The cost of repairs can be hundreds or thousands of dollars. Getting auto repair costs covered allows you to cover your losses if you need to repair or replace parts of your car. It can also cover rental car costs if it takes a while to repair the vehicle.

• Documents the accident - Having a record of what happened is very important if you need to prove negligence, see a doctor in the future, or if the other driver's insurance company refuses to pay the cost to repair your vehicle. 

• Reveals hidden damage - A dented bumper is one thing -- structural damage, frame misalignment, or internal mechanical issues might not be noted at first glance.

• Preserves the right to file a claim later - This essentially will give you the right to sue, which protects your rights should you need to file a lawsuit with an accident attorney. In this case, you can still sue and take the case to court if a driver causes the accident and then refuses to cover your damages. 

For many drivers, these benefits will far outweigh any other inconveniences.

Insurance Considerations - Insurance Companies Aren't On Your Side During the Claim Process

An insurance policy is meant to protect people and property, but sometimes, people don't understand how insurance works and what the policy covers. Here are some common explanations:

• Property damage liability insurance covered the damage to the other vehicle, not your personal property or your personal injuries. For that, you would need collision coverage and personal injury protection. 

• Collision coverage helps to pay for repairs to the insured person's vehicle, regardless of whether they are at fault. Generally, the insured person will need to pay a deductible. 

• Missouri is an at-fault state, which means the person found to be at fault is liable to cover costs for other vehicles involved in the accident. If they don't, a lawyer may have to step in. 

Why would someone need a lawyer? Because the insurance company, even your own, is not on your side. They can advise on questions like Is it worth suing the other driver for property damage? If the car is damaged and the insurance company must pay, it is likely that they will offer a payout that is the lowest amount possible. No insurer wants to pay for the repair bill if they don't have to, not to mention medical bills and damages like emotional trauma. 

Understanding Car Accidents and the Legal Perspective - Can You Sue Someone? Why You Need a Lawyer

From a legal standpoint, filing a claim is often a smart move even without injuries. Filing does not mean a lawsuit will automatically follow; it simply initiates the insurance process to determine liability and damages.

In Missouri, which follows a pure comparative fault system, each party’s recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault. This means even if a driver is partly responsible, they may still file and recover a portion of damages. However, without a claim, there’s no official record to support recovery efforts.

An attorney can evaluate the situation to determine whether pursuing compensation is worthwhile, especially if fault is unclear or the damages are more extensive than they appear. An attorney may be available for an evaluation at this car accident law firm in St Louis.

File a Police Report and Report an Accident to Authorities

It is also imperative that you report an accident and file a police report. A police report gives an overview of the case, there is information like who may be at fault, contact information for all drivers involved, information like license plate numbers, and even contact info for witnesses, which can be beneficial. 

When Filing a Claim May Not Be Worth It After a Fender Bender

While filing is often beneficial, there are situations where it may make sense to skip the claim:

• Damage below the deductible - the cost of repairs is less than the deductible, filing may not be beneficial at all. 

• Minor cosmetic damage - A small ding or scratch on the vehicle that doesn't affect the structure of the car might not justify filing the claim. 

• Private agreements - On private property, or in minor incidents between two trusted parties, the involved drivers may decide to handle things privately. However, there is a big risk here if one person changes their mind. 

  
  

Do You Need to File a Claim? Hire a Car Accident Lawyer to Get Compensation for Property Damage After a Car Crash

While it might be tempting to skip filing a claim after an accident with no injuries, doing so can leave drivers vulnerable to unexpected repair costs, hidden injuries, and legal complications.

It's almost always best to call the police, take photos of the vehicle damage, get a police report, get a medical examination, and have a record of the details of the incident. 

Filing a claim creates an official record, protects against future disputes, and helps ensure fair compensation for property damage.

For drivers in St. Louis and across Missouri, the safest approach is to carefully evaluate the situation, consider potential hidden issues, and seek legal advice when needed. Powell Law Firm offers free consultations to help accident victims understand their rights and options, even in cases that seem minor at first.