What you need to know about reporting an accident in Montana

Is it legal to report a car accident in Montana?

I was raised to report any accident that didn’t happen at my home. Apparently that’s not really necessary in Montana.

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Which vehicle accidents must be reported in Montana?

According to AFJ law firm, the following guidelines apply to reporting accidents in Big Sky Country:

• If someone was hurt
• If someone was killed
• If the accident causes property damage of $1,000 or more

The AFJ law firm adds that a police report can help you with your compensation claims or claims for damage to your vehicle as it serves as evidence.

I still believe that it is best to be honest about any car accident.

• It can sometimes take a while for injuries to manifest
• It is a legal document that can help with everything from insurance claims to who is legally responsible for the accident
• The vehicle damage is immediately recorded
• Doing the right thing is always the right thing

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How long do you have by law to report an accident in Montana?

The Montana Code Annotated 2023 states:

You have ten days (10) to report the accident IF it was not reported to law enforcement at the scene of the accident. This law is intended to help drivers do the right thing. Sometimes an injury requires someone to leave the scene. It is best to submit your statement to the police as soon as possible so that your side of the matter is on record.