Getting a Police Report After a Car Accident

The aftermath of a car accident can be one of the most confusing parts. There are no set rules following a car accident and the steps you choose to take after your car accident may be different than what someone else does depending on the severity of the accident. For example, most people know to exchange information after an accident. While this is a basic thing to do following an accident, this may be one of the only commonalities shared between different accidents and different reports. You may be wondering if it is a good idea to call the police to the scene of the accident and how that may be beneficial to you. Even if you are unsure of whether you should file a personal injury claim, if you believe the other person is at fault for the accident, having a police officer at the scene could be helpful to you. 

Why are police reports so important?

Although this might be your first car accident, you likely know that it is a common occurrence for police reports to be filed following an accident. However, for that to happen, the police either need to be driving by the accident and see it or they need to be called to the scene of the accident. As a trusted lawyer, like a car accident lawyer from a law firm like Ward & Ward Law Firm knows, it is crucial to understand the importance that a police report can play regarding your recovery and personal injury claim. A police report can:

  • Give detailed information about the accident by providing a diagram of the accident and how it likely occurred. 
  • Give information like who was involved in the crash, what kind of property was involved in the crash, and what injuries or damage there seem to be. 
  • Provide more information regarding statements given by any drivers, passengers, and witnesses who may have seen the accident occur. 
  • Shed more light on the accident and what the police officer believes happened and what their professional opinion is regarding the accident. 

Once the police officer has filed their police report, it is imperative that you get a copy of the police report for your case if you are choosing to file a personal injury claim. This is where it can benefit you to have the help of a lawyer. Your lawyer may be able to quickly obtain a police report. You can either obtain a police report by requesting a police report yourself following the accident or speaking with the insurance adjuster involved in the accident and seeing if they requested a copy of the report. 

You should not hesitate to get more information about your accident through a police report, especially when you are intent on filing a claim. If you would like to speak with a lawyer more about the importance of a police report and how it may be helpful to your claim, reach out to a local office now.