Do I Need To Report My Accident To Police To Claim TAC In Victoria?

Do I Need to Report My Accident to Police to Claim TAC in Victoria?

First-person introduction:
I’ve lost count of the number of times someone has asked me, “Do I actually need to report my car accident to police if I want to claim TAC?” The worry usually comes after a minor crash, a moment of panic, or realising hours later that the soreness in your neck isn’t going away. And honestly, I get it. After an accident, your brain is overloaded — you’re shaken, confused, stressed, and the last thing you’re thinking about is ticking off official notifications.

The problem is that police reports can play a very important role in TAC claims — but not always in the way people think. Some accidents legally must be reported. Some don’t. And there are cases where not reporting the accident immediately doesn’t stop you from making a TAC claim at all.

In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know: when you must report your accident to the police, when you don’t have to, how police reports affect your TAC claim, what happens in hit-and-run incidents, and what steps to take if you forgot to report the crash at the time. By the end, you’ll know exactly where you stand — and how to protect your rights.

Understanding TAC Requirements
When You MUST Report an Accident to Police in Victoria
When You Do NOT Have to Report to Police
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Minor Collisions & No-Injury Accidents
Public Transport Accidents
Cyclists & Pedestrians Hit by Vehicles
Why Police Reports Matter for TAC Claims
What If You Didn’t Report the Accident at the Time?
How to Report an Accident (If You Haven’t Yet)
Documents TAC May Ask For
Common Mistakes People Make
When You Should Speak to a Lawyer
Final Thoughts

Understanding TAC Requirements

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) provides no-fault insurance to anyone injured in a transport accident involving a Victorian-registered vehicle. When you lodge a TAC claim, TAC may ask for certain information to verify the accident — and a police report is one of the most common ways to confirm what happened.

But here’s the key point: you don’t always need a police report to claim TAC.

However, in many cases, reporting the accident is legally required, and failing to do so can create complications down the line.

When You MUST Report an Accident to Police in Victoria

Victoria Police requires certain accidents to be reported by law. These include:

1. Accidents Involving Injury

If anyone is injured — including you, your passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, or the occupants of another vehicle — the accident must be reported.

2. Hit-and-Run Accidents

If the other driver leaves the scene or refuses to provide details, you MUST report the accident to police.

3. Property Damage Where Details Can’t Be Exchanged

If you damaged someone’s property and cannot locate the owner or exchange details at the time, you must notify police.

4. Serious Collisions

Any accident involving:

extensive damage
suspected criminal behaviour (drink driving, drug driving)
unlicensed driving

must be reported.

TAC may request the police report number for these types of accidents when you lodge your claim.

When You Do NOT Have to Report to Police

Not all accidents must be reported. In fact, many everyday collisions don’t require a police report.

You generally do NOT need to report if:

No one was injured
Both drivers exchanged full details
There was no dangerous behaviour involved
The collision was minor and did not involve pedestrians or cyclists

In these situations, TAC can still process your claim as long as you have enough evidence to prove the accident occurred.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

If you were involved in a hit-and-run, reporting the accident to police is absolutely essential — especially if you want TAC to approve your claim.

TAC needs confirmation of:

That the accident occurred
That an unidentified or unregistered vehicle was involved
That the incident was reported promptly

In many hit-and-run cases, the police report plays a major role in successfully lodging a TAC claim.

Minor Collisions & No-Injury Accidents

Some people don’t report minor accidents because they seem “too small.” But even in low-speed crashes, injuries like whiplash, concussion, or lower-back strain can appear days or weeks later.

If you didn’t report the accident at the time, don’t panic — TAC often accepts claims backed by:

medical evidence
photos of damage
witness statements
insurance claim documents

Public Transport Accidents

If you were injured on public transport (tram, bus, train, V/Line, etc.), you usually do NOT need to file a police report yourself.

However:

The operator may file an incident report
You may be asked for details later
TAC may request your myki tap-on history or witness details

These cases often still proceed smoothly.

Cyclists & Pedestrians Hit by Vehicles

If you were hit by a vehicle as a cyclist or pedestrian, reporting the accident is strongly recommended — especially if:

The driver didn’t stop
You were injured
Details could not be exchanged

It strengthens your TAC claim significantly and helps police document the incident properly.

Why Police Reports Matter for TAC Claims

Even though a police report isn’t always required, it can make your TAC claim much smoother.

Police reports help TAC:

Verify the accident occurred
Confirm the vehicles involved
Confirm the date, time, and location
Assess fault if relevant
Process claims faster

If your accident involved injury, failure to report may result in TAC asking more questions or needing additional proof.

What If You Didn’t Report the Accident at the Time?

Many people fail to report their accident immediately — and in most cases, TAC still accepts valid claims.

You can still lodge a TAC claim if you:

Didn’t realise you were injured
Thought the pain would go away
Didn’t know you had to report it
Didn’t know TAC covered you
Were overwhelmed or in shock
Didn’t have visible injuries

What matters most is whether you can prove the accident occurred.

How to Report an Accident (If You Haven’t Yet)

You can still file a late police report, even days or weeks after the accident.

Ways to report:

Visit your local Victoria Police station
Call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 for non-urgent reporting
Submit a Collision Statement if requested

Make sure to provide:

Date and location of the accident
Driver or vehicle details
Witness information
Description of what happened
Your injuries (if any)

Documents TAC May Ask For

Depending on the situation, TAC may ask you for:

A police report number
Photos of the accident scene
Medical documentation
Ambulance reports
Insurance claim documents
Witness statements
Your account of what happened

You don’t need everything — just enough to verify that the accident occurred.

Common Mistakes People Make

Some mistakes can slow down or complicate TAC claims. These include:

Not reporting hit-and-runs
Failing to get medical evidence early
Assuming TAC won’t cover them
Thinking “minor accident = no claim”
Waiting too long before lodging their claim
Not keeping receipts or medical certificates

A simple oversight doesn’t automatically ruin your claim — but it’s easier with proper guidance.

When You Should Speak to a Lawyer

You should speak to a TAC lawyer if:

You didn’t report the accident at the time
You were in a hit-and-run
The other driver refused to exchange details
Your TAC claim was rejected or questioned
Your injuries developed weeks or months later
You’re not sure what evidence you need
You might have a serious injury or be eligible for lump-sum compensation

A lawyer can help you gather evidence, strengthen your claim, and challenge any unfair TAC decisions.

Final Thoughts

Do you need to report your accident to police to claim TAC in Victoria? Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. But even if you didn’t report it immediately, you still have options — and your right to support does not automatically disappear.

The key is understanding your obligations, gathering the right evidence, and taking the right steps early. And if you’re unsure, worried, or already facing complications with your claim, professional help can make a huge difference.

For personalised TAC advice, contact Hymans Legal or call 1300 667 116. Their experienced team can guide you through reporting requirements and help you secure the benefits you deserve.