Question:
If you hit a snow bank, for instance, and there is no damage but a tow truck has to pull you out - what happens? Do you call the police? Do the police come if no one was injured? Do you get a ticket? Would you get some sort of written proof about the accident? Would they pull out your car and let you go on your way?
Answer:
In this example, if there was no damage and no injuries, there is no need to involve the police.
In the case where there is damage to the vehicle, it depends entirely on where the accident occurred. In some states and provinces, damage over a particular dollar amount (no matter the reason) requires that you file an accident report with the police. This is true for most Canadian provinces at least. You may also be required to contact the police immediately, and they will decide if someone needs to be at the accident scene before the vehicle is removed.
In locations that require an accident report, they will give you a copy of the report and possibly a special temporary sticker to affix to the vehicle with the accident report number and an indication of where the damage is located. Those are then required by the repair shop so they can repair the damage. Without them, a reputable shop cannot and will not fix the damage.
Again, the rules around this vary in the different states and provinces. If there is damage, the prudent thing to do is call the local police (although don’t use 911, its not an emergency) and ask them what the next steps are.
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