How Soon Do You Have To Report a Car Accident in Kentucky?

February 6, 2025
Regard Law Group
how soon do you have to report a car accident in kentucky

According to the Kentucky State Police, over 130,000 motor vehicle accidents occur in the Bluegrass State annually. If you were involved in one recently, you will likely need to report it to the proper authorities. But how soon do you have to report a car accident in Kentucky?

Ensure you know the answer to this question in the immediate aftermath of a crash. Otherwise, you risk facing fines and other penalties that could cause a collision to have an even bigger impact than it already has.

Find out how soon you must report a crash below.

How Long Do I Have To Report a Car Accident?

Generally speaking, you should call the local police after any collision you’re involved in and let them know about it right away. They will send someone to investigate your crash and compile a police report. This will come in handy should you decide to file an insurance claim or a car accident lawsuit against the driver responsible for your crash.

If you don’t do this, you’ll want to know how to answer the question, “How soon do you have to report a car accident in Kentucky?” This will ensure you’re within the mandatory accident reporting period and don’t miss the collision report deadline.

So, how long will you have? You must use the Online Civilian Traffic Collision Report to notify the KSP within 10 days. This accident reporting timeframe applies to any driver involved in a collision that meets one or more of these legal reporting requirements:

  • It caused at least $500 in property damage.
  • It resulted in any injuries and/or deaths.
  • It left you unable to drive your vehicle.

What Will Happen If I Don’t Notify the Police About a Car Crash?

Now that you know how to answer the question, “How soon do you have to report a car accident in Kentucky?” be sure to do it quickly the next time you’re in a crash.

If you fail to do it before the end of the post-accident reporting window, you may face the following penalties:

  • A fine of up to $100
  • An inability to file an insurance claim
  • A driver’s license suspension

You might also miss the opportunity to file a police report for your crash. This could prevent you from filing a lawsuit against the driver who caused your crash.

How Long Will I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit?

The statutory reporting time limit for auto collisions in Kentucky is only 10 days, but you will have longer to decide whether or not you wish to file a lawsuit. Still, you shouldn’t let that stop you from speaking with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

The state gives residents two years from the date of an incident to file a personal injury claim. This might seem like a long time, but it will move quickly, especially if your crash requires a lengthy investigation.

Call Us If You’re Interested in Filing an Accident Claim

Would you like to explore the possibility of filing an auto accident claim? Regard Law Group, PLLC, is the personal injury firm that will provide you with the necessary legal services as you seek compensation in your case.

We will also set you up with a lawyer who will answer questions like, “How soon do you have to report a car accident in Kentucky?” This will make you feel better about taking legal action against another driver in the first place. Contact us today at 859-281-1318 or complete this brief form for more information.