Phillips Law Firm explains why obtaining an incident report is a good idea regardless of claim intentions.
It is crucial that you call 911 after your involvement with an any serious accident. Whether car, bicycle, pedestrian, truck, or motorcycle accident the police report is often a reliable way to obtain accurate insurance and contact information from the at-fault party. Key evidence including the weather, time of day, witnesses, skid marks and vehicle location are all documented by the police officer, which will help your attorney document facts regarding your case.
WHAT IF I WAS INJURED?
Make sure that those involved in the accident are safe, if medics try to take you to a hospital, let them. It is their job to confirm that you are not seriously injured or if you are that you receive proper treatment for your injuries. While some may feel that it is embarrassing to be taken off in an ambulance, let the medical professionals do their job.
WHAT IF THERE ISN’T A LOT OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE?
In certain cases you may feel a police report isn’t necessary. Maybe you think there was only a small amount of damage, or you are against participating in a lawsuit, regardless of personal apprehensions it is still a good idea to have this official document. Remember, filing a police report does not mean you have to file a claim.
WHAT IF I CAN’T REMEMBER DETAILS ABOUT THE ACCIDENT?
Often victims are shaken after an accident and have trouble recalling some details of the occurrence. The police officer is there to help assist you in documenting the facts after an accident. Memories fade; this is why you need a police report to refer back to. If you are feeling any pain it is crucial to mention this to the responding officer and make note of any injury that occurred on the scene. If you fail to mention your injuries, an argument can be made that you were not actually hurt in the accident.
TAKE PHOTOS OR VIDEO
It is also a good idea to have a disposable camera in your vehicle (that is, if you do not carry a mobile device that allows for taking digital photographs). If you are able, it is important to take photos of the scene of the accident. If significant damage occurred to your vehicle it is important to document it as well the location, skid marks, or accident debris. You will also want to take photographs of injuries that occurred as a result of the accident. If your camera does not have a digital time-stamp it is a good idea to E-Mail the photographs to yourself immediately so the date and time is recorded. Documenting the date of the photographs can shut down an argument from an insurance company arguing that a photo could have been taken from “anywhere and at any time”.
I HAVE A POLICE REPORT, NOW WHAT?
After you receive the police report you will want to contact our attorneys at Phillips Law Firm immediately. Handling thousands of cases, Phillips Law Firm has experienced attorneys waiting to assist you in taking the next step in filing a claim.
CALL PHILLIPS LAW FIRM IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING YOUR ACCIDENT
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an automobile, truck, motorcycle, or bicycle accident fill out the “Free Case Review” or call us at (800) 708-6000 for a free case consultation. At Phillips Law Firm we have a no fee promise, meaning if we do not recover compensation for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee. If you have further questions about what to do after an accident please visit our FAQ Accident page or learn more about how Phillips Law Firm can represent you.
