Why is it Important to Have a Police Report After a Car Wreck?

Woman speaking with police officer

What if you are in a fender bender and you think, “this is just a minor wreck!” Or, what if you are in a fender bender and the other at-fault party says, “don’t call the police, let’s just take care of this ourselves!”

Some people think that it’s adding aggravation by getting the police involved. Maybe you are on your way to an important business meeting, the kids’ school or a dinner and you don’t want to be late. But having a police report can mean a huge difference between being able to recover compensation for your property damage and personal injuries (which may not be apparent immediately after the accident) and having your claim denied by the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You may not feel any injuries at the scene, but the next day or even later that day you might be in pain and need to see a doctor.

While you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, not documenting important facts in a police report will harm your case. For example, in disputed liability cases, not documenting the at-fault party’s admission about fault immediately after the accident could be devastating for your case. Do you think the insurance company (that represents the other at-fault driver) is going to look out for your interest? Especially if there is not police report? No!

Many times, even after admitting fault, the other party lies to his or her insurer and blames you. Having the other party’s statement documented in the police report is the best way to prepare against dishonesty. Additionally, if the accident involved a hit-and-run driver, your insurer will almost certainly require a police report to consider your uninsured motorist claim.

The best course of action is to call the police from the scene of the accident and have an official police report. However, if you’ve been involved in an accident and didn’t call the police, my law firm can help you determine what type of action you need to take ASAP!

The law firm of Gregg Harrison will help you assert your rights against the other driver and recover compensation. For further information and assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free initial consultation.

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Gregg S. Harrison has been practicing law in Texas since 2001. He focuses on cases involving all types of accidents, product liability, personal injury, and premise liability. Mr. Harrison is also an experienced family law and estate planning attorney. He is dedicated to helping clients through extremely stressful situations.