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In 2019 alone, California saw over 269,000 injuries due to car accidents.
How you handle the first few moments after a car accident will have a direct effect on the following months. The first thing you need to do is determine whether or not there are any serious injuries and if there’s anything you can do to prevent them.
After that, however, you need to call the authorities and file a police report. This article will tell you why you should always file a police report after an auto accident.
It may be tempting to put the accident behind you without involving the police. Keep reading and you’ll see why putting your side of the story on record helps you in the long run.
What Goes in a Police Report?
When you talk to the police, they’ll ask for very specific information about the accident from all involved parties, as well as witnesses. It’ll have basic information, like the date and time of the accident, as well as more detailed information, such as a diagram of the accident scene and weather conditions.
The police officer will also obtain statements from everyone to get a clearer picture of what happened. They’ll ask for personal information and take down important details, like insurance information and your driver’s license number.
Get Everything On Record
Filing a police report is important as it allows everyone to state their side of the story leading up to the accident. If there are any injuries or criminal charges resulting from the accident, the police report will be important for both parties and their insurance companies.
It Helps Your Accident Attorney
Another one of the most essential follow-up tasks after car accident is calling an accident attorney. The police report provides your attorney with detailed information about the accident, allowing them to parse through the evidence and build your case.
If you’re injured in an accident, you may have expensive medical bills. You may also lose wages while you recover from your injuries. Having a police report lets your attorney prove that the other driver was at fault, giving you a better chance at a settlement that helps you financially.
You’re Required To
According to the California Vehicle Code, drivers or their legal team are required to file a police report within 10 days of a car accident.
Unless the accident has no injuries or significant property damage, you can get in serious trouble for failing to report the accident. Failure to report even a minor accident can result in jail time or a $1,000 fine.
Don’t Let a Car Crash Go Unreported
Now that you understand just how important a police report is, you’ll be prepared when you’re in an accident. It’s understandable to want to quickly put the accident behind you, but failing to report an accident is both illegal and risky. Get everything on record and you’ll be protected.
Published by: Martin De Juan
