It’s never a good time to get in a car accident, but some times are worse than others. If you’re rushing to work or trying to get to an important meeting, the last thing that you want to do is wait around for the police to arrive at the scene, especially if it was a minor accident. But, don’t underestimate the value of waiting for the police after a car accident.
The police officer who arrives at the scene will gather information that he needs to write an official report. This report will include the location, date, and time of the accident, in addition to details on any property damage and injuries sustained by the drivers or witnesses. The police may also include statements from the parties involved in the accident, as well as the officer’s opinion on how was at fault.
Clearly, there is a wealth of information in the police report, which is why this document can play such a big role in your personal injury case. A police report can support your version of events and prove to the other driver’s insurance company that you were not to blame for the accident. But, if you didn’t wait for the police, you won’t be able to provide this evidence to the insurance company, which may affect your ability to recover compensation.
At this point, you’re probably wondering why a police report matters in minor accidents where there are no injuries. It often takes hours—or even days—for the symptoms of an injury to appear. In many cases, what starts off as a minor symptom can slowly become worse over a matter of a few hours. So, even though you think you will not need a police report at the scene of the accident, it’s very likely that you will regret this information later on when it becomes clear that you are injured.
It’s been proven that passengers and drivers can sustain injuries in low-speed collisions. In fact, it’s possible to sustain injuries even if the car that hit you was traveling at 10 miles per hour. For this reason, it’s in your best interest to call the police and wait for them to arrive so you have an official police report that summarizes the accident.
Contact a personal injury attorney after leaving the scene of the accident. The team at Reisch Law Firm will thoroughly review your case to determine if you are entitled to compensation. To learn more about your options, schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
