Whether or not you are a car accident victim, you must have heard about reporting the incident to the police and getting a copy of the report. It applies to even minor car crash cases, such as a slight rear-end collision that damages your car, and you see no sign of injury. The legal experts advise people to follow this step because sometimes serious injuries may not be immediately visible, such as internal bleeding, brain trauma, spine injury, etc. You can notice the symptoms much later. Even the car damage may initially feel smaller. The actual impact can be realized when you send it for repair.
How does a police report help in these matters, though? San Diego car accident attorneys explain that police reports become a potent tool in reaching a fair settlement by establishing the correlation between all the happenings—the accident, your injury, and car damage. Let’s explore the elements of the police report and other associated details for a comprehensive understanding.
- Components of a police report
Police officers have training in covering these incidents and analyzing all aspects. They cordon off the spot and investigate all the minute details of the accident, including how it happened, to prepare a concise report. The information in the report can guide you to vital evidence required to prove other driver’s fault or negligence. So, you can find details of the collision, such as the location, time, date, and vehicle description. A summary of the reason for the crash and who is responsible can be attached. They can also specify road and weather conditions. The police officer can also record contact details of the witnesses, driver, and driver’s insurance company. Suppose the car was driven by someone other than the owner. They will investigate the owner as well.
Driver statements are also included in the police report. If an at-fault driver says something wrong, they will record that, too. Witnesses will also be interviewed to determine whether the wreck was caused by negligence. Your injury and vehicle damage details will also be included.
- The benefit of the police report in an insurance claim
The other party’s insurance company will examine the police report to determine its liability in your case. If the police report covers every detail and establishes that it was the other driver’s fault, they may not dispute the cause of the accident. Your lawyer can use the report to gather more evidence to support your claim. They can talk to the witnesses and record their statements. The police report is not conclusive evidence but gives essential details of the accident scene. The official can refer to the recorded details during the lawsuit as testimony. It can have an impact on the jury.
- The potential risks of not having a police report
The insurance company can take advantage of the situation to prove that any such car accident never happened or that you were at fault or negligent. They can claim that your injuries must have occurred due to another incident.
Did you miss reporting the incident to the police? Please don’t be disheartened. You can still pursue your claim with other evidence. There will be complications, but your lawyer can help.