Learn what to do after a car accident in Kansas, including exchanging information, rendering aid, and filing a police report.
If you’re driving in Kansas, it’s important to understand the state’s car accident laws. In particular, you need to know your legal duties after a car crash.
This guide provides an overview of your responsibilities after an accident, including how to exchange information with other drivers and report the crash to authorities. You can also review Article 16 of the Kansas Vehicle Code to learn more.
1. Kansas Driver Exchange of Information Law
If you are involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage, Kansas law requires you to stop immediately and remain at the scene of the accident.
You then must provide your name, address, and vehicle registration number to the other parties involved in the accident and to the police. In addition, you must provide your driver’s license and insurance information upon request.
The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or damage to any attended vehicle or property shall immediately stop and remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1604.
The driver shall give [their] name, address and registration number of the vehicle, and upon request exhibit such driver’s license or permit, the name of the [insurance] company and policy number, and shall give such information and upon request exhibit such license or permit and the name of the insurer and policy number to any police officer.
2. Kansas Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid
In Kansas, if you are involved in a car accident, you have a legal duty to render aid to anyone who is injured. This includes personally providing or arranging for transportation to a hospital for medical treatment if it is clearly necessary or the injured person requests it.
Driver shall render to any person injured reasonable assistance, including the carrying, or the making of arrangements for the carrying of such person to a hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that such treatment is necessary, or if such carrying is requested by the injured person.
3. Kansas Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police
According to Kansas law, if you are involved in a car crash and no police officer is present, you must report the accident to the nearest law enforcement agency in certain situations. In addition, the Division of Vehicles may also require you to file a written report about the collision.
Reporting is mandatory if the accident caused property damage of $1,000 or more, someone was hurt or killed, or you cannot exchange information with the other parties involved in the accident.
If no police officer is present, the driver of any vehicle involved in such accident, or any occupant of such vehicle 18 years of age or older, shall immediately report such accident, by the quickest available means of communication, to the nearest office of a duly authorized police authority if:
- There is apparently property damage of $1,000 or more;
- any person involved in the accident is injured or killed; or
- the persons specified are not present or in condition to receive such information.
The division may require any driver or owner of a vehicle involved in an accident to file a written report whenever the division deems it necessary to satisfy the requirements of any other provision of law.
What if I Fail to Report an Accident in Kansas?
Failing to file a required written car accident report is a misdemeanor offense in Kansas. You can also have your driver’s license suspended until you file the report, and for an additional 30 days after the date of filing.
The director shall suspend the license or permit to drive and any nonresident operating privileges of any person failing to report an accident until such report has been filed, and the director may extend such suspension not to exceed thirty days.
Any person who shall fail to make a written report as required in this article and who shall fail to file such report with the division within the time prescribed shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
4. Kansas Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty
Under Kansas law, you must still immediately stop at the scene after a car accident causing property damage, even if no one is injured.
You then must exchange information with the other people involved in the crash and share your personal details with any police officers investigating the accident. If you are requested to do so, you must also show your driver’s license and your insurance info.
The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in damage to any attended vehicle or property shall immediately stop and remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1604.
The driver shall give [their] name, address and the registration number of the vehicle, and upon request exhibit such driver’s license or permit, the name of the [insurance] company, and the policy number, and shall give such information and upon request exhibit such license or permit and the name of the insurer and policy number to any police officer.
5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in Kansas?
If you hit a parked vehicle in Kansas and the other car is damaged, you must immediately stop your vehicle. Then, you must find the owner of the vehicle and tell them your name, address, and vehicle registration number.
You can also choose to leave a note containing this information on the vehicle. If you leave a note, you must also notify the police of the accident.
The driver of any vehicle which collides with any vehicle which is unattended, resulting in any damage, shall immediately stop and either locate and notify the owner of such driver’s name, address and the registration number of the vehicle, or shall attach securely in a conspicuous place on such vehicle a written notice, and notify the nearest police authority.
Car accidents are unfortunately a common occurrence on Kansas roadways. If you are in a car crash in Kansas, it is important to know the law and understand your duties. By learning these requirements, you can protect yourself from serious consequences and further harm.
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