Even if you’ve never been in a car accident, you probably know that calling the police is one of the first steps you should take after a motor vehicle accident. But a large number of people choose not to call the cops and end up wondering if they will still be able to file a claim without a police report.
Today, our best car accident attorney will reveal whether or not you can file a claim without obtaining a police report.
How important is having a police report?
Without a police report, your chances of recovering damages slim to none, as how can insurance companies – or courts, for that matter – know that there was ever this motor vehicle accident that caused your injuries and damages?
But the importance of obtaining a police report after a car accident goes far beyond that. Having police officers write a report at the scene of the accident helps determine fault later on.
Furthermore, a report can describe other vital elements that will help you pursue a car accident claim and obtain monetary compensation. Such elements include descriptions of vehicle damages, the fact that the other driver was overly intoxicated, the presence of witnesses, the severity of your injuries, and others.
Calling the police after a car crash is just as important as seeking medical attention for your injuries and hiring a Riverside car accident attorney. After all, without a police report, holding the at-fault driver responsible becomes nearly impossible.
Our attorneys at the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg explain that if you choose to pursue a personal injury claim, your insurance company will require you to show a police report. Without it, insurers will refuse to believe that the car accident has taken place or that your injuries stem from that car crash.
Can you file a claim without it?
Many drivers ignore the importance of calling the cops due to their fear of getting a ticket. And while it’s true that you might get a ticket, not having a police report – an invaluable piece of evidence in your claim – will substantially decrease your chances of winning your case.
While police officers are not required to determine fault at the scene of a car accident, they can include vital information such as what the weather was like at the time of the collision, if there were any road conditions that caused the accident, the names and contact information of the witnesses, and all kinds of other useful info.
If you’re legally represented by a car accident lawyer, he or she will help you request a police report from the police department. Technically, police reports cannot be used in court if you choose to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, but they can become an invaluable document to negotiate a personal injury and vehicle damage settlement.
What if you don’t have a police report?
Some police reports clearly indicate that one driver was at fault for the accident, which makes it a useful piece of evidence to get a more favorable insurance claim settlement.
If for some reason, you don’t have a police report after a road accident, it’s not the end of the world. You may still be able to file a car accident claim. In order to find out how that would be possible in your particular case, contact a motor vehicle accident lawyer.
Consult our attorneys at the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg to learn how to obtain a police report in your particular case. Call our Riverside offices at 310-997-0904 or fill out this contact form today.
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