Georgia Injury Lawyers Blog
The police report can help your car accident claim. If the police have found that the other driver broke a traffic law, it will appear on the police report. The insurance company will use this when they are determining fault for the accident. While many cases feature two different competing versions of what happened in an accident, the police report could serve as an authoritative statement on the accident, and our Atlanta car accident lawyers will find it helpful. Simply stated, you need a police report from every car accident.
What Is on the Police Report after an Atlanta Car Accident?
Police officers are presumed to be unbiased, and their accounts are given a lot of weight. The facts that they record are considered to be neutral. They may note things such as:
- The time of the accident
- The weather and other conditions at the time of the accident
- Whether one driver broke a law by doing something like speeding or making an illegal turn
- Statements from each of the drivers
- The injuries that drivers and their passengers suffered
The police report is likely going to be one of the first things that your insurance company will ask for once you open the claim. Official documents are always better for your case than your own word. The police report will not serve as proof of the accident in court, but the insurance company will rely on it when they determine fault.
Other Ways a Police Report Is Helpful
In addition, calling a police officer to the scene of the accident may be helpful in other ways. The police officer may ask for witnesses and their contact information. If you are injured but have not yet sought medical care, the officer may persuade you to accept medical help at the scene, which is always better for your case.
Finally, it is always better to have an officer at the scene of the accident. Drivers may be nervous after a wreck and could have trouble using their best judgement. They may say things that could hurt their case, or may even end up fighting with the other driver. The presence of a police officer could help cooler heads prevail and might keep you calm at a time when you need to have your wits about you.
If someone else has not called the police from the accident scene, make sure to do it yourself. Getting things in writing at the time that the accident happened can only help you.
An Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Can Assist You
If you have been injured in an accident, it is crucial that you get legal help immediately as issues pertaining to your possible claim start surfacing immediately after the crash. The attorneys at Slappey & Sadd can get to work on your case right away as you begin the process of obtaining financial compensation for your injuries. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our lawyers, call our office today at 888.474.9616 or contact us online.