Written/Reviewed By:
Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Read Time: 3 mins
There are many things to consider in the aftermath of a New Jersey car accident. First, you have to navigate insurance issues and medical care. In addition, in most cases, you also have a responsibility to notify the police. The failure to do so could result in serious consequences, including criminal charges and diminished personal injury recovery. At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., P. C., we fight to recover our clients’ damages to compensate for all of their car accident injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.
When is a report necessary?
As noted above, a police report is not necessary following every motor vehicle collision. Some accidents are so minor a report is unnecessary. However, you must notify law enforcement in the following circumstances:
- When the accident results in bodily injury or death, or
- When the accident involved $500 or more in property damage
In general, it is safest to assume if there is visible damage to the other vehicle, you should contact the police.
How much time do I have to report the accident?
The law does not set out a specific amount of time you have to notify law enforcement of an accident. Instead, you are required to inform the police using the “quickest means of communication available.” For most people, this involves an immediate phone call to the police.
There is flexibility built into the statute to avoid punishing those individuals who do not have access to a phone. In theory, notifying the police in person is the next best option. Most of the time, someone involved in the collision, or a bystander will alert the police that a crash has happened within moments.
There are exceptions when it comes to serious injuries. If a driver is too hurt to notify the police, they will not face any consequences for not calling law enforcement.
Contact us for a free consultation
If you have been in an accident in Bergen County, reporting it to the police is only one step in a long process. To secure financial compensation for your injuries, contact a car accident lawyer. At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, & Graifman, P.C., we can lead you step-by-step through the personal injury process. With our help, you could recover financial compensation for your injuries so that you can heal and rebuild your life. Call for a free consultation to learn more.
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LWelsh1 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Clever and efficient.Posted on Google
Kenny Perlow22 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.Posted on Google
Aliza Ali86 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.Posted on Google
Jana Montero89 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!Posted on Google
Mike Sakmann95 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.Posted on Google
Liz Hecker101 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.Posted on Google
Brandy Miller124 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for herPosted on Google
Mike Greenspan137 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.Posted on Google
Jonathan Sampson144 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommendPosted on Google
Vinnie Kung147 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!