Do you need a car accident attorney? There are quite a few things you may do when you’re in a car accident, and you should take this advice to heart, depending on the type of accident you’re in.

You may walk away from the accident if there is no damage, or you may choose to use the police to ensure that the accident is reported properly. Here are a couple rules of thumb to consider when you’re deciding whether you should or shouldn’t call the police after a car accident.

Scenario 1: Damage to the Vehicles, or Someone is Hurt

You need a report when you have damage to both vehicles, and you will need a report if you are filing with the insurance company. Your lawyer cannot do anything for you if there is not a report on the accident, and you must have one in your hand when you leave the scene of the accident.

The officer will help you determine who was at-fault, and you will avoid any confusion that may arise when you have an accident or claim with the insurance company. Damage to your vehicle cannot be settled without a proper police report.

Scenario 2: Vehicles Aren’t Damaged and Everyone is OK

You and the other driver may choose to walk away from the accident when you are unharmed and have no damage to your vehicles. The mutual agreement you have with the other driver will help you save time dealing with the police, but keep in mind,  you may not protected if the other driver wishes to sue you at a later time. You will have no record of what happened at the scene of the accident, and your lawyer will need to investigate the case completely before they have come to a conclusion.

If you do end up going this route, and avoiding the police, it’s best to take photos of both vehicles to cover your butt in case the other party tries to come after you for damages later. At the end of the day, whether or not you choose to call the police is a judgment call on your part, but it could come back to bite you later, even if no one’s hurt and both vehicles are still in tact.