Your Accident Report

After a car accident, law enforcement officers will arrive at the scene, obtain a wealth of information, and compile a police report about the incident. What the police report stays about the accident can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Here’s what you should know about what’s in your police report and when you should get legal help after a car crash. 

The Basics 

This includes the day and time the collision occurred, as well as its location. 

Contact Information 

Your contact information, the contact information of the other driver, and the passengers involved will be collected. The police report will also contain the contact information of any witnesses if they were present at the scene and willing to provide a statement. 

Details of the Scene 

The scene will be written down in detail: the weather, the road and traffic conditions, the position of the sun if applicable, the location of the vehicles after the incident, what the officer saw upon arriving, and other pertinent details that will help paint a picture of what the scene looked like. 

Statements from Involved Parties and Witnesses 

At the scene, all parties involved will be asked to make a statement about what happened if they are able to. Witnesses will also be asked for statements and the information recorded will be in the police report. 

Citations, If Applicable 

If either party committed a traffic violation, copies of issued citations will be included. 

A Diagram of the Accident 

The officer will usually attempt to draw a diagram of the accident, however, this is not a replacement for formal accident reconstruction by a qualified reconstructionist. 

Opinions on Fault 

Finally, the police report will include the conclusion the officer reached regarding the fault. While this does not formally assign fault to one party or the other, the opinions of the officer who arrived at the scene on who is at fault are heavily considered when making the final determination. 

When to Call a Car Accident Lawyer 

When you or someone you love is hurt in a motor vehicle accident, it’s important that you don’t wait long to get legal help. The sooner your lawyer can begin investigating the evidence available in your case, the stronger your case will be. Contact Chalker Injury Law to learn more about how police reports are used in car accident lawsuits or to schedule a consultation to discuss your accident. Call now at (800) 393-8595.