Absence of an amicable report during a car accident, what to do?

A joint report is an official document used to detail the responsibility for a car accident. However, it is possible to deal with a car accident without an amicable report. If so, what options are available and how do I proceed?

In the event of an accident without an amicable report, you must call your insurer, a mediator and the police, and provide them with all the information concerning the claim.

Can I settle the accident without an amicable report?

This is a question that many people ask themselves, especially after a small run-in. The general rule is to always exchange contact details with the other driver and complete a joint report if you both agree on what happened. However, there are situations where it is possible to settle the accident without an amicable report:

• If you are the cause of the accident and you have good car insurance, your insurer will cover the damage caused to the other driver's vehicle. 
• If you are not the cause of the accident, your insurer will probably be able to recover the amount of damages from the insurer of the driver at fault.

In some cases, it is possible to settle the accident without going through the insurers, but this may be more difficult to prove and the end result may be less favorable for you. Either way, don't forget to collect evidence at the scene of the collision, whether you plan to take the steps with or without your insurer.

What evidence should be collected for a car accident without an amicable report?

In the event of a small collision or a more serious accident and you do not have an accident report, you will have to gather evidence from the witnesses and drivers involved. Take photos of the damage and write down the names and addresses of those involved and witnesses. In a second time, call your car insurance. Indeed, calling on the help of your insurer is highly recommended.. To this end, you must provide all the details of the accident and the evidence you have collected. As such, be sure to provide essential information with more detail. This is intended to help insurers establish individual liability and initiate compensation proceedings if necessary.

Additionally, you can contact the local police and describe the accident to them. They will be able to give you advice and help you establish their report. Finally, you can call on a mediator or a lawyer to help you resolve the dispute. They can help you assess and determine responsibilities and assist you in processing your file.

After gathering all the information, you must send them to your insurer within 5 working days by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt.

Will there be compensation in the event of an accident?

Compensation in the event of an accident varies according to the guarantees included in the car insurance you have taken out. For this, do not hesitate to revise the contract of your insurance and to discover the guarantees included.

However, if you have an accident and it is not your fault, you can be compensated by your insurer if you have the right cover. If you don't have the right cover, you can claim compensation from the other driver's insurer.

If you drive a vehicle without a warranty or car insurance, you could be fined or even jailed. If the accident is your fault, you will also be liable for damage to the other vehicle and injuries to the other driver or passengers.

It is therefore important to ensure that you are properly insured before driving in France. If you are unsure, check with your insurer or broker.

In the event of a car accident and you do not have an amicable report, you must contact your insurance company within 5 working days of the accident. Your insurer will need some information in order to compile a report, including the type of accident, the circumstances surrounding the accident and whether any property damage was caused. If responsibility for the accident is clearly established and you are covered by car insurance, your insurance company should pay for the repairs. However, if responsibility is less clear or if you are not covered by car insurance, you may be held responsible for the damage caused.