Not every
car accident requires a police report. If no injuries or property damage occurred and
all parties sorted out the details of the accident, you may not need to
report the incident to police. On the other hand, any car accident that
involves serious injuries requires a police report. Additionally, if you
and the other driver can’t agree on the events leading up to the
accident, you should talk to the police.
Police reports document the scene of the accident.
It isn’t easy to remember every detail of your accident. In fact,
human memory is a notoriously unreliable source of information –
especially several days or weeks after the event happened. A police report
will solidify the facts of the accident so you don’t have to figure
them out down the line. This also prevents the other driver from changing
his / her story to avoid assuming responsibility for the collision.
Liability (fault) is one of the most important facts of your car accident case. In many
situations, fault determines who caused the accident and who is eligible
to recover compensation for damages and injuries. Police reports are a
major factor used to determine fault. In fact, getting a copy of the police
report is typically the first step in determining liability for your damages.
A police report will help your attorney get the compensation you deserve.
If you sustained a serious injury, you can seek compensation for not only
property damage, but noneconomic damages, medical expenses, missed wages,
and more. A police report makes this process easier than it would be without
one. Using facts established by law enforcement, your attorney can create
a strong case in your favor.
To learn more about your legal rights after a car accident,
contact the Long Beach car accident lawyer at Overett Group today.