Skip to content
If you are involved in a minor fender bender in Tennessee, you may feel like calling the police is unnecessary. However, you should report the crash if someone is injured, property damage reaches the required threshold, or other circumstances call for a police report.
Tennessee also has specific monetary limits and additional reporting requirements that may apply. Read on to learn when you should call the police and what to do after a minor crash.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee law generally requires drivers to report a crash involving an injury, death, or at least $50 in property damage when it occurs in a public place.
- More serious crashes may require a written report within 20 days if there is an injury or death, more than $1,500 in property damage, or more than $400 in government property damage.
- If police do not respond, move vehicles to a safe location when possible, exchange complete information, document the scene, and ask about non-emergency or self-reporting options.
- Drivers should notify their insurance company when required by their policy and keep any police or incident report numbers for their records.
- Reporting the crash creates an official record that can help protect your rights, support an insurance claim, and reduce disputes about what happened.
The Short Answer: Yes, Tennessee Law Requires It in Almost Every Crash
Under Tennessee law, a driver must immediately notify law enforcement, using the quickest available means of communication, when a crash results in injury, death, or at least $50 in apparent property damage. This requirement applies to crashes on highways and at shopping centers, trailer parks, apartment complexes, and other premises generally frequented by the public. Because even minor vehicle damage can exceed $50, most fender benders at these locations should be reported under T.C.A. § 55-10-106
Contact the appropriate law enforcement agency to report the incident. Within a municipality, notify the local police department, and outside a municipality, notify the county sheriff’s office or the nearest Tennessee Highway Patrol office.
Written-Report Requirements
What if the Police Won’t Dispatch an Officer to a Minor Crash?
In some metro areas, police may not dispatch an officer to a minor accident. If that happens, you should still take steps to protect yourself and create a record of the crash:
- Move to a safe location: Tennessee’s “Move It” law generally requires drivers involved in a crash without apparent serious injury to move vehicles out of the roadway when it is safe to do so.
- Exchange complete information: Get the other driver’s name, phone number, driver’s license information, insurance details, license plate number, and vehicle information.
- Document the evidence: Take photos and videos of the vehicles, damage, roadway, traffic signs, and the surrounding area. If there were witnesses, ask for their names and contact information.
- Request non-emergency dispatch or self-report: Ask the agency if you can report via its non-emergency line or online system, and keep any incident or report number for your records.
Other Mandatory Reporting Requirements in Tennessee You Can’t Ignore
Calling law enforcement is not the only reporting requirement after a crash in Tennessee. Under T.C.A. § 55-10-107, you may need to submit a written report to the Tennessee Department of Safety within 20 days if the following are relevant:
- Someone is injured or killed
- Property damage exceeds $1,500
- Over $400 of government property is damaged
If your accident meets the reporting threshold, notify your auto insurance company and follow your policy’s reporting requirements. Failing to file can result in suspension of your license and vehicle registration until you submit the report and meet restoration requirements. In addition, failure to report a qualifying crash may constitute a Class C misdemeanor.
Why Calling the Police Protects You After a “Minor” Crash
Calling the police and reporting your accident is not only required in many cases, but it also protects you in future claims or cases. A clear, objective account of what happened helps minimize “he said, she said” scenarios and can streamline the claims process.
At NST Law Injury Attorneys, our dedicated legal team can launch an investigation into your accident case and make sure you get the support you need. We connect our clients with qualified medical professionals who can treat delayed and hidden injuries. In complex cases, such as those involving uninsured or unlicensed drivers, we help you understand your legal rights and compensation options.
Contact our law office today at 731-427-5550 to learn more about our past successes and to schedule a free, initial consultation.
