Why You Need a Police Report After a Car Accident
Did you know that the average number of vehicle accidents each year is averaged out to around 6 million crashes? It is always important to know what steps you should take immediately after a car accident. One of the most important things you need to do immediately after a crash is to contact the police. Due to the severity of the crash, the people involved may not be capable to reaching out to the police, so it is also important that if you witness a crash, you contact the police as well.
Why Are Police Necessary After a Car Accident?
A lot of people falsely assume that if the wreck is minor, contacting the police may be unnecessary. In any vehicle accident, regardless of the severity, police should be contacted immediately. When the police arrive, it is important to clearly and truthfully state every detail about how the accident occurred. After the officer has made his/her report, it is important that you ask to obtain a copy of the report so that you may have handy in case it’s needed in the future.
What Does a Police Report Consist of?
When a police officer is filing a report on an accident, they have to include quite a few details, so that the report remains concise. The type of information that will be logged is the date and time of the accident, the location of the accident, any damage that has been done to both vehicles, any injuries either party obtained from the accident, as well as any witness reports from bystanders who witnessed the accident.
What if I am at Fault?
If you are at fault in the accident, it is still important for you to contact the police. Leaving the accident scene without calling the police as that could be considered a hit-and-run and can lead to serious consequences. It is important to contact the police and obtain a report so that the opposing party doesn’t try to fake any injuries as a result of the wreck that you are responsible for. If they do try and fake any injuries and you have a police report, it will make it easier for you to fight your case and prove that you are not at fault for the injuries.
Conclusion
Remember, a lot of injuries don’t occur immediately after a car wreck. With adrenaline levels high after a crash, you may not feel injured right away. By filing a police report, you will be able to come back and report any injuries you may feel after the wreck. You want to make sure and file a report in case your car starts having internal issues shortly after the wreck. If you find yourself in any sort of car accident, regardless of severity or fault, it is always important to contact your local authorities and file a report. This police report will always come in handy regardless of the situation that you are put in after the car accident.
