{"id":376412,"date":"2017-10-04T17:41:15","date_gmt":"2017-10-04T22:41:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-car-accident-report-basics.html"},"modified":"2025-01-02T11:58:47","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T16:58:47","slug":"tennessee-car-accident-report-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-car-accident-report-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Car Accident Report Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tennessee Car Accident Report Basics<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

One thing people may not teach you when you\u2019re learning how to drive is what to do after a motor vehicle accident. Unfortunately, if you don\u2019t take specific steps after your car crash, you jeopardize your personal injury claim. You may also face fines, jail time, and a suspension of your driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\r\n

In Tennessee, motorists must file an accident report regardless of the severity of the accident. Even if there is only minimal property damage, Tennessee law requires you to file a crash report. <\/p>\r\n

Here, we will discuss Tennessee car accident reporting basics. We will also explain how to file your report and why it\u2019s crucial that you contact the police department immediately after the collision.<\/p>\r\n

How To File a Car Crash Report in Tennessee<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The chart below summarizes Tennessee’s laws and procedures for filing a car crash report.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

State Accident Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

When To Report an Accident<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

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  • You must immediately notify the nearest law enforcement agency when:<\/p>\r\n

      \r\n

    • An accident causes bodily injury or death<\/p>\r\n

        \r\n

      • There is more than $50 in property damage <\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

      • The accident occurred in a city that requires motorists to report all traffic accidents<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

      • Your insurance company requires a crash report<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

        You have 20 days to file an Owner\/Driver Accident Report when:<\/p>\r\n

          \r\n

        • The crash causes personal injury or death<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

        • There is more than $400 in property damage <\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

           <\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Crash Reporting Filing<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n