When you get into a car accident, you may think exchanging contact and insurance information with the other driver is all you need to do. After that, you may want to continue with your day. One might wonder whether they even need to call or report to the police. The answer to this is always yes.
No matter how minor the accident is, you are legally obligated to report a traffic accident to the police. The damage might be minor, but creating an official police report can you a lot of time, money, and hassle later on. You can learn more about the importance of police reports from injury attorneys at Sattiraju & Tharney.
Tips for Filing a Car Accident Report
1. Make the Call Immediately.
When you realize you have been in a car accident, call 9-1-1 immediately. When the police show up at the site, they will conduct a brief investigation. They may try to figure out which party caused the accident and whether any of the drivers had violated a traffic law.
During the investigation, the officers may collect a bunch of information, including the date and time, personal information of the parties involved, vehicle information, etc. Remember that you are not obligated to speak to the police. But, it is better to have your side of the story on the report. Just make sure to talk straightforwardly and do not admit guilt
2. File the Report After the Accident.
Police do not always show up at the accident site at the right time. But, that does not mean you should keep waiting for them to contact you back. If the police do not respond, you must go down to the station and file a report yourself. It would be helpful to collect some important information related to the accident and gather photographic evidence.
3. Review your Police Report.
You and your attorney must go through the police report as it is considered an important document in court. This way, if the report contains something against you, your attorney can help you prepare for it. You are legally allowed to ask for a copy of the police report. You can usually do so within ten days of the accident.
Remember that the police report is not the final document and is subject to objections. If you discover any mistakes in the report, you can always ask it to be revised with the help of an attorney.
Whether minor or major, car accidents can result in long-term trips to the hospital and the court. You have to deal with people making fake claims, changing their stories, and insurance companies using dirty tricks to devalue your injuries. Contact an attorney today to have an expert on your side.