Why You Should Call the Police After a Crash

Most people know that you’re supposed to exchange insurance information and get pictures of the damage after a car crash. While these are vital first steps, they leave out what is, perhaps, the most crucial piece of evidence and the first thing your car accident attorney will ask for when you enter their office. You need a police report, and there’s an excellent reason why you should call the police immediately after a crash.

What a Police Report Does For You

A police report has all the information you need to make a strong auto injury claim. It’s an unbiased, publically available document written by a third party. It verifies the identities and insurance information of everyone involved, issues a ticket if the police officer determines there was a traffic violation and may include witness statements.

A police report sets you up for a much stronger claim. Most importantly, the police report verifies that a crash occurred in the first place. When you go to the doctor to have your injuries examined, you can corroborate your appointment date with the date on the police report to demonstrate that you were injured as a direct result of the car crash.

Why You Can’t Wait to Get a Police Report

In most states, you must request a police report at the scene if there is significant property damage. Likewise, you are typically required to have police presence at the scene if someone is injured or killed. But not everyone gets their police report one the day of their accident, especially after a minor crash or a fender bender, and their case is weaker for it.

The longer you wait to file a police report, the more likely you will miss crucial evidence. Waiting to get a police report reduces the responding officer’s chances of getting a complete picture of the scene. It also means that you’re missing out on the ability to get witness statements, which can be vital in determining who was responsible for the crash.

Next time you’re in a crash, no matter the damage, the best thing you can do is call the police and request an officer on the scene.

If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries in a car crash, we can help. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with an experienced auto injury attorney from Dunk Law Firm, please don’t hesitate to call (800) 674-9339 or send us an email.