Following a car accident, people are often unaware of the importance of crucial evidence, which can make a difference in whether they will be successful in recovering compensation for their injuries and losses or not. One crucial piece of evidence to be obtained after a car accident is the police report (sometimes called an accident report).
After being involved in a car accident, you should first check yourself for injuries, and then, if you are able to do so, call the police to get a police report made. Sometimes, however, if there are no bodily injuries and only minor property damage, people don’t call the police to the scene or report the accident at all.
But it is the reporting of an accident that protects your entitlement to compensation for any injuries or losses that you discover in the days and weeks after the accident. That is why, even if you feel that you are not injured, it is still important to report the accident to the police and have it officially documented.
One of the Most Important Pieces of Evidence After a Car Accident
After a car accident, there are several important pieces of evidence that will help illustrate what happened to cause the accident and can help you achieve the best settlement possible for your car accident claim. A police report is perhaps the most important piece of evidence you need to collect.
Among other things, the police report, which is filed by the responding law enforcement agency, will contain the following information:
• The identities of the parties involved in the accident;
• What happened to cause the accident;
• Information on the position of the vehicles after the accident;
• Where and what damage was sustained by each vehicle; and
• The contact details and insurance information for the parties involved.
The police report will also contain any statements made by the drivers involved, along with statements from any potential witnesses. And most importantly, the report will assign liability for the accident and note if any citations were issued as a result of the investigation.
Why Obtaining a Police Report is Essential After a California Car Accident
Obtaining a police report after a car accident in California is essential for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, the police report represents the view of a neutral third party who has examined the facts of the accident (skid marks, property damage, statements from the drivers involved, witness statements, etc.) and has decided who was responsible for the accident.
One of the most important factors (but not the only factor) for determining whether liability will be an issue in your car accident claim is who, if anyone, is listed on the police report as being at fault in the opinion of the investigating officer(s).
The police report can also serve as evidence of what caused your injuries and their severity. This can help you or your car accident lawyer prove to the other driver’s insurance company that their client is at fault for the accident and resulting injuries.
How to Get an Accident Report in California
If you have hired eAccidents to represent you, we will obtain the police report for you. However, if you haven’t yet decided to hire an attorney, you are able to get the report yourself.
First, you will need to figure out who wrote the police report. If the accident occurred on a city street, it is likely going to be the police department of the city or county where the accident took place. Otherwise, it could be the California Highway Patrol who you will need to contact.
You may also obtain the police report by mailing a completed Application for Release of Information form to the city or county office where the accident happened. The fee for this is typically around $10. Alternatively, you can submit the same form in person at the California Highway Patrol office. Use this search tool to find the correct CHP office, or call (916) 843-3000 for help.
How An Experienced California Car Accident Attorney Can Help
If the police report of your car accident finds you to be at fault, you may still have a claim. The accident report, and the testimony of the reporting police officer, who did not actually witness the accident, isn’t the last word when determining who’s at fault for an accident. Sometimes, police reports contain errors that can and must be corrected with help of a
skilled car accident attorney.
Furthermore, it’s not unusual for the other driver’s insurance company to offer you a low-ball settlement, even after you show them that the crash was not your fault and that you should be compensated for your injuries. But you don’t have to let them get away with paying less than you deserve. You can enlist the services of the distinguished attorneys at eAccidents by calling 844-400-0123 to ensure that you recover every bit of compensation that you are entitled to receive.
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, do not delay, contact eAccidents today. To speak with one of our experienced attorneys, call us today @ 844-400-0123 or visit our contact form on www.eaccidents.com to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We charge no fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.