Police reports can play a vital role in helping you establish a strong case in court if you’ve been in a car accident. Therefore, it’s vital to obtain one, regardless of how minor a car accident may seem.
Understanding the Significance of Police Reports
You may be tempted not to call the police after a car accident, especially if no one is injured and there is no damage to either car. However, it’s important to call the police and get a police report made because of the following:
- The police will determine fault; that is, they’ll decide who they feel was responsible for the accident.
- They provide an official record of the accident, which you can use if you want to pursue legal action.
- They formally establish the date of the accident. This is important so you can prove you are within the statutes of limitation if you pursue a court case.
Immediate Steps Following an Accident: Police Involvement
Being in a car accident can be frightening and overwhelming. Keep these steps in mind if you’re ever involved in a car accident:
- Take steps to ensure your safety. Exit your car if it’s safe to do. Call 911 if it’s an emergency (for example, someone is seriously injured), or call the non-emergency line if no one requires urgent medical assistance.
- Document what happened. Get details about the car (such as the license plate), contact information from witnesses (if there are any), and the other person’s contact information and insurance policy details.
- Contact your insurance company. They will guide you through the reporting and claims process.
- Consider consulting a car accident lawyer. If you’ve been badly injured and want to seek compensation, the services of a car accident lawyer are vital. They can show you how to seek any benefits you may be entitled to and how to pursue legal action.
The Content and Components of a Police Report
At a minimum, the police collision report should contain the following:
- The names of the drivers involved in the accident, their driver’s license numbers, and their insurance information.
- The name and badge number of the officer who arrived on the scene.
- Information about the road conditions at the time of the accident. For example, if the roads were icy.
- The make and model of both vehicles in the accident.
- Details about the collision. This can include the location of the accident, as well as a diagram of how the accident scene looked.
The report may also include additional information, such as if anyone was charged at the scene, if there were any passengers in the vehicles, and if any emergency vehicles were involved.
The Impact of Police Reports on Insurance Claims
Whether or not you’ll need a police report if you plan to file an insurance claim depends on the type and severity of damage to your car. If you need to claim for minor damage, especially damage that didn’t involve another person or car, then you won’t need a police report.
If, however, you or the other person sustained any serious injuries, major damage was involved, or you’ve been the victim of a crime, then you must file a police report. This is particularly important if you were involved in a collision.
A police report helps your insurance company assess who they feel is at fault and coordinate with the other person’s insurance company. Having a police report may also help speed up the claims process.
Challenges and Controversies: Navigating Discrepancies
In a perfect world, all the details required in a police report would be filled in accurately and objectively. However, that doesn’t always happen. You or your insurance company may obtain a copy of the police report only to find out it doesn’t contain accurate information or enough information to determine who was at fault. So, what do you do then?
The first step to take is to contact the officer who filed the report and see if they are willing to amend it. You can offer to write a statement for them or provide medical documentation that would impact the report.
If the officer refuses to amend the report, you may need to contact a car accident lawyer to help you dispute any information in the report that is incorrect.
Utilizing Police Reports in Legal Proceedings
Getting a police report is always a good idea if you’re involved in any kind of car accident, even if you don’t appear to be injured at the time. A detailed police report will ensure that a neutral third party records information about the accident and ensures vital information, such as witnesses’ contact information, is available to everyone involved.
There are several ways that a police report can benefit you, including the following:
- It will be used by your insurance company. If the report shows the other party was at fault, you’re more likely to receive a favourable offer from your insurance company to compensate you for losses or damages.
- Your car accident lawyer can use the details in the report to help them look for more information or evidence. For example, they could ask if stores in the area can provide them with security footage of the accident if they have any.
- Your lawyer can use it to support your claim for compensation with your insurance company.
A police report is not admissible in court. It is considered hearsay (a statement made outside of court), and that kind of information is inadmissible in court. However, witnesses to the accident can attest directly to their experience in court.
A Police Collision Report Can Be Vital to the Success of Your Legal Claims
A police collision report offers you many benefits when it comes to protecting your own interests. It ensures that important information about the accident is officially recorded and can help you bolster your claim with your insurance company.
In addition, a police collision report can help your car accident lawyer fight your case more effectively if your insurance company is not cooperating with you or you want to sue the other party for compensation.