Why you should file a police report after your auto accident

After an auto accident, you may feel disoriented and stressed, especially if you sustained injuries. Following a car crash, you must contact 911 or the non-emergency police to have them assist you at the scene of the accident, even if you weren’t seriously injured. Law enforcement will fill out a police report, which is a legal document that can provide an unbiased account of the accident. If you plan to file an insurance claim, this legal document can be invaluable in a number of ways.

What Information in a Police Report Can Help My Accident Claim?

When law enforcement arrives at the scene of an accident they will speak to all parties involved.

They will fill out a police report to document the following accident details:

The time, date, and location of the accident
The names and contact information of all parties involved
A description of any injuries and vehicle damage
Statements made by drivers
A diagram of the crash site
Road and weather conditions
Anything that may have contributed to the accident
Witness statements and contact information
Any citations issued or arrests made
The police officer’s accident investigation findings

How Can a Police Report Help My Insurance Claim?

While a police report can’t be used as evidence in a lawsuit, attorneys and claims adjusters often use the document to determine liability and will use the information in the report as leverage when negotiating settlements.

Filing a police report can help your accident claim in many ways:

An insurance adjuster may try to claim you were injured or your vehicle was damaged before or after the accident. A crash report can link your injuries and vehicle damage to that specific accident.
The police officer’s accident investigation findings will include how they believed the accident occurred and which party they believed was negligent. This can be helpful if liability is disputed.
A police report will also include information regarding any citations the other driver received or if they were arrested for a DWI, DUI, reckless driving, etc. This information can help your car accident lawyer prove negligence.
The document will also contain any statements made by the driver. If the driver apologized for the accident or said they didn’t see the other driver, this may be used as an admission of fault.

Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

After a minor accident, you may not need to hire a car accident lawyer. However, if you were injured in the collision, the insurance company is refusing to offer a fair settlement, liability is disputed, or your claim was denied, hiring a car accident attorney can increase your chances of recovering the economic and non-economic damages you’re owed.

A car accident lawyer can help you obtain a copy of your police report and will use the information in the document to build a strong case. They will also use the information in the report when they’re negotiating with the claims adjuster and fighting for the fair compensation you deserve.

Contact Us Today

If you have been involved in a car accident, Lem Garcia Law can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Our legal team can help you navigate the legal system and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and other losses.

We offer free, no-obligation consultations to car accident victims, where you can discuss your case and learn about your legal rights and options. If you decide to hire Lem Garcia Law, our firm will handle all aspects of your case to allow you to focus on healing and moving on with your life. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.