3 Reasons To File A Police Report For Every Auto Accident

Being involved in an auto accident can be frightening. Even a minor fender-bender can create a significant amount of stress.

It is not uncommon for drivers involved in minor collisions to refrain from calling the police. The drivers simply exchange insurance information and agree to work out who will pay for repairs between them.

Unfortunately, this approach has the potential to cause serious problems in the future. Here are three reasons why you should always file a police report after an auto accident, no matter how minor it may seem.

1. Document the Events

A police officer will document the events leading up to an accident when preparing a police report. The report will outline who was responsible for causing the accident, and it will list any influencing factors (like weather or speed) that may have contributed to causing the collision as well.

It's vital that you have the details of your accident officially documented in case you need to prove what happened in the future. An unscrupulous driver may try to falsely claim that you left the scene, that you caused the accident, or that you were reckless in an effort to seek financial gain.

A police report will provide an official detail of events, preventing any he-said, she-said arguments from arising in the future.

2. Protect Your Rights

Any person injured in an auto accident has the right to work with an attorney to seek financial compensation for costs related to the treatment of that injury. Personal injury attorneys rely heavily on the information contained within a police report when preparing a case for trial.

It's essential that you protect your right to file a lawsuit by filing a police report for your accident. Many injuries don't appear for a few days after an accident, and the adrenaline you feel immediately following a collision could mask the severity of any injuries you sustain.

By filing a police report, you ensure that your attorney will have the ammunition they need in the event you choose to pursue a personal injury lawsuit in the future.

3. Increase Your Settlement

Many personal injury lawsuits end with an insurance company extending a settlement offer. A police report can be a valuable tool in helping to increase the amount an insurance company is willing to pay you to avoid taking your case to court.

Your attorney will have to rely on eyewitness statements, examinations of the vehicles, and accident recreations in the absence of a police report. These sources are not considered as reputable, so your settlement offer may be less when you don't have a police report.

For more information, visit a website like www.cookevilleinjurylaw.net.


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