Calling 911 Might Cost You

You’ve just been involved in an accident. Your first thought might be to dial 911 on your cell .

But did you know that it could cost you?

One unwelcome side-effect of a police presence could be a reckless driving ticket, even if you are the only driver involved.

Apparently you might also be billed for the first responders, according to a New York Times article. Some people find themselves involved in accidents and then later get a bill from a collection agency. The article says that insurance companies typically get billed first, but if they don’t pay, the insured can be billed.

This is honestly news to me, and I’m not sure if Virginia localities are able to bill victims for first responders. But it certainly doesn’t sound fair for anyone to do it.

By writing this article, I’m not saying you shouldn’t call for help if you need it. And in certain instances, you have a legal obligation to notify the police about an accident. Just beware that unnecessary first responder involvement could be costly.