Should the Police be Called After a Car Accident?
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Are there benefits to calling the police after an accident?
Yes, it is a good idea to call the police following an accident especially if there is property damage, serious injury, or death. In some situations, there can be a criminal penalty for those who are in an accident and fail to report it. Having the police come to the scene is also a good way to start an initial investigation and to preserve evidence.
Having the police or other law enforcement agency come out to the scene of the accident will serve several functions. First, the police will come out to the scene and collect names as well as question any potential witnesses. These individuals will generally give a statement to the police and their information will be included in any report. This information can be vital to your case. Having the names of the witnesses allows us to know who to contact and in order to fully prepare your case.
Additionally, the police report can contain other vital information which can help increase the value of your case. The report is an official document which will include the facts surrounding the accident. The report will typically contain a narrative of the investigating officer and he will state who he believes is at fault for the accident. If the officer states the other party is at fault, this can be used to help bolster your position and potentially increase the case’s value. This officer can also be called upon later to testify in Court, if necessary, about his investigation.
In some instances the officer may take photos of the accident or make a diagram of the accident. These can also provide important information about a case that can be used down the road to support your position for recovery. The report the law enforcement agency will put together helps preserve potential evidence and can be very helpful in bolstering your position and the value of your claim.
For these reasons, it is generally a good idea to have the police come out to investigate the scene of an accident.
Contact Vanderpool Law Firm for a Free Injury Consultation
If you have sustained an injury in a car accident or trucking accident, call our office today to set up a free consultation. We do not collect an attorney’s fee unless we win compensation for you. It costs you nothing to contact our office and discuss your case with one of our attorneys. Call us today at (574) 268-9995.
