      
   4.9146 reviews

Do I Have to Report a Minor Car Accident in New Jersey

Request a Case Review

Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

10b9db026d89119e951a851045ac17eee7784f79

Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Read Time: 4 mins

You do not have to report a minor car accident in New Jersey if no one was injured and there was minimal property damage. Section 4-130 of New Jersey Statutes Title 39 specifies that you must file a police report following a car accident if either of the following is true:

Anyone involved in the accident was injured
The crash caused property damage exceeding $500

Further, if your accident meets either of these elements and you do not report it, you could be subject to a fine of up to $100 and suspension of your license and registration. If you’ve been in a car accident, please contact us at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. for a free consultation.

Your Insurance Company’s Requirements are Different

You should know that insurance companies have different definitions of what constitutes a minor accident. Most of them require that you report any accident, even if it did not rise to the level of a mandatory report under New Jersey law. Moreover, your insurer may deny coverage for the crash if you fail to report it within a reasonable amount of time.

Why Some Drivers Decide Not to Report a Minor Accident

Sometimes the other driver will ask you not to file a police report for many reasons– including a possible lack of insurance or other issues with the law. One benefit of not filing a police report is that your insurance rates might still increase even if you were not at fault. So financially, some drivers involved in minor accidents will decide that it makes more sense not to report it.

However, the insurance company may find out anyway and still raise your rates. The one situation where it is advisable not to file a report is in a minor single-vehicle accident– such as you backed into your mailbox, were uninjured, and sustained only slight damage to your vehicle.

You Should File a Police Report No Matter What

If you are involved in an accident with another vehicle, the best course of action is to file a police report. While you may feel fine, and it may look like you only have a small dent on your bumper, you should still think twice about complying with the other driver’s wishes.

Even a minor car accident can cause your adrenaline levels to rise. Because of this, you may not feel the pain from your injuries until hours later. Similarly, some injuries commonly associated with car accidents, such as whiplash, may not surface until days later. By not filing a police report or seeking immediate medical attention, you may limit your ability to recover financial compensation. There will be no documentation of the crash and therefore no documented cause of your injuries.

Along those same lines, even though it may appear that the damage to your car was minor, you may later discover that it was much more serious. However, by the time you make that discovery, you may have no means for legal recourse because you cannot find the other driver, and again– there is no documentation of the accident.

The Right Lawyer Can Make a Big Difference

There can be some difficult decisions to make after a minor car accident. At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., we urge you to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible following your crash. It may provide you with the information you need to make the best decision under your particular circumstances.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

For nearly half a century, we have been advocating for injured victims. We pride ourselves on being “big enough to do it all, small enough to care.” If you have questions about what to do following a minor car accident here in New Jersey, call the car accident law firm of Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. to schedule a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning our clients never pay us anything unless they win their case.

Why Trust Us?

150+ Reviews

50+ Years of Service

Full-Service Law Firm

Client Reviews

    
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   LWelsh 
 1 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clever and efficient.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Kenny Perlow 
 22 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex 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 Ali 
 86 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex 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 Montero 
 89 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex 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 Sakmann 
 95 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex 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 Hecker 
 101 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex 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 Miller 
 124 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex 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 her
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Mike Greenspan 
 137 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex 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 Sampson 
 144 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex 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 recommend
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Vinnie Kung 
 147 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex 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!

see all reviews

Do I Have to Report a Minor Car Accident in New Jersey

Why Trust Us?

Rockland County, New York

Bergen County, New Jersey