Amidst the chaos of a car accident, it is crucial to remember one important step: reporting the accident to the police. This action is not just a legal formality. It also serves a fundamental role in supporting your claim. Why is it important to make that call to the authorities?
The law requires you to report collisions in certain circumstances.
In New York, the law requires you to file a motorist report if a crash leads to any injuries or damage of $1,000 or more. Even if you do not think your accident meets these criteria, you may still want to call the police because your injuries or the damage to your vehicle may be more severe than you first believe.
The authorities can document the scene.
When police officers get to the accident scene, they write up a report. This report gives an unbiased view of what happened. It includes important details like when and where the accident occurred, information about the vehicles, any damage and any injuries. The officers also talk to any witnesses and write down their own observations. The evidence the officers collect can be especially important if you cannot collect evidence yourself due to your injuries.
The police report supports your insurance claim.
Dealing with insurance companies can be tough, but a police report can make it easier. While it is possible to file a claim without a police report, having one makes things clearer and can speed up the process. The report clarifies what happened during the accident, which can help you get the financial support you need from your insurance more quickly.
The police report can be important if you need to file a lawsuit.
If the car accident results in serious injuries and leads to a personal injury lawsuit, a police report can be invaluable. Lawyers often use details from the police report to establish negligence, build a timeline of events and corroborate the accounts of the accident.
Additionally, the documentation of injuries and immediate observations by the police can provide crucial evidence in supporting claims for damages. Immediate documentation helps connect these injuries directly to the accident, a crucial element in personal injury cases.
Even if a collision seems minor, reporting a car accident to the police is a critical step. Contacting the authorities lays the groundwork for getting the compensation you need to recover.