Why You Should Always Report a Car Accident to the Police

Men and women always need to report a car accident to law enforcement. Although the collision may appear minor, filing a police report saves the driver time, money, and headaches. The police report becomes of great importance when the time comes to deal with insurance companies. Furthermore, it may be needed for an accident scene investigation and building a case against the responsible parties. 

It’s the Law

Many places require drivers to report accidents regardless of how much damage is involved. If anyone is injured in a car accident, if one or more people become entrapped in a vehicle, or someone dies, the report becomes mandatory in most cases. Furthermore, law enforcement needs to know if there was any property damage outside of the vehicles involved in the accident. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and make the report. This ensures you don’t run afoul of the law unintentionally. Additionally, this police report is needed for anyone who decides to sue the responsible parties to get compensation. 

Why A Police Report Is Needed

Police reports often aren’t admissible in a court of law. Nevertheless, they become of great help when a car accident attorney investigates the collision. Furthermore, insurance companies turn to this report to determine liability when they negotiate a settlement. 

Reporting the Accident to Law Enforcement

Following a car accident, the first call needs to be to emergency medical services. In situations where it doesn’t appear anyone is injured, this call remains necessary. Adrenaline can mask symptoms immediately following the accident. It’s best for all parties to be checked by medical personnel to ensure nothing is overlooked. This call will summon law enforcement in many situations, as both are dispatched by 911 services. 

If the collision is minor, law enforcement may choose not to come. However, this means there will be no police report. In this situation, it’s important to speak to an accident attorney. They may investigate the accident to determine liability, the circumstances of the crash, and more. 

What Does a Police Accident Report Contain?

When law enforcement responds to a vehicle accident, they write a police report. This report contains the time and date of the accident as well as a description of where the accident occurred. They will document visibility and any weather conditions that may have contributed to the accident. A diagram of the scene will be included in the report along with personal information of the parties involved. The officer takes a statement from each party and gathers information about their auto insurance. In addition, they get contact information and statements from each person who witnessed the accident. Document the officer’s name and badge number so you can reach out to them if needed. 

What to Do When Law Enforcement Doesn’t Visit the Scene

Law enforcement may decline to come to the scene of a minor accident. If they do not, it’s crucial for the driver reports the accident after the fact. This written statement becomes of great importance when negotiating with the insurance company or upon filing a suit against the responsible parties. 

If there are no injuries, law enforcement may also choose to not visit the scene. For this reason, any injuries need to be reported during the 911 call. At times, law enforcement may not visit the site because they are dealing with a natural disaster or pandemic. This prevents them from attending to all situations. Again, an accident report needs to be filed after the fact to have the information documented.

Complete a report of the accident to share with law enforcement. Include any information that would be in a report completed by a law enforcement officer. In addition, include your personal statement regarding the accident and take photos and videos of the accident scene. Include any marks on the road. Video is of great help in this situation, as it captures details a person might miss. 

Filing This Report

How does a person file their own police report? This is easier than many individuals think. Once the necessary information has been gathered, visit the nearest police station. Go to the front desk and ask to complete this report. 

When to File the Report

File the report as soon as possible after the accident. The reporting deadline varies based on where the accident takes place. For this reason, do so as quickly as possible. If you have questions on how to go about filing the report or what it should include, don’t hesitate to contact an auto accident attorney. They will be of help in determining what needs to be included and what shouldn’t appear in this report. For example, a person should never assign blame for the accident. Leave that up to the officials who investigate collisions regularly. 

What Not to Do When Reporting an Auto Accident

Drivers need to avoid doing certain things when reporting an auto accident. These behaviours may actually hurt their claim. For example, a person should never lose their temper or panic. Stay calm and speak with the first responders. Avoid talking to the other party other than to determine if they need medical attention. Never apologise for the accident, admit that you are at fault in any way, or accept blame if the other person states it is your fault.

Don’t guess at the details surrounding the accident or exaggerate. These statements could cause problems in the future as the claim moves forward. Finally, never discuss the severity of injuries. Answer any questions presented by emergency medical personnel but don’t speak with anyone else about the injuries at the scene. 

Don’t hesitate to contact an auto accident attorney if you need help to navigate an auto accident claim. They are ready to help individuals get the compensation they deserve while protecting their rights as the case moves forward. Insurance companies have attorneys working on their behalf, and you may need one too. It never hurts to speak with a lawyer to learn your rights and ensure you are doing everything required under the law. Doing so will provide you peace of mind, which everyone needs after an accident.