Filing a police report ensures that the accident is documented and all facts are preserved.
Filing a police report after a car crash is one of the most important things you can do. If your car accident was serious enough to require an ambulance or block traffic, police will generally arrive as well and a report will be filed without you having to do anything. However, it is a good idea to report even fender benders, because some seemingly minor crashes can result in serious injuries, which may not appear immediately. These injuries may show up days after the accident, and having a police report means you have a record of everything that happened, and you can file a claim for your injuries.
Filing a Police Report
You should call the police immediately after your car accident and wait for them to arrive at a safe location. When the police reach the accident location, you should state all facts, but avoid taking responsibility or placing blame for the accident. The police will also question the eye witnesses in order to determine who is at fault. The police may ask you the following questions:
- What happened?
- Who was in the car with you when the accident happened?
- Did you or any of the passengers suffer any injuries?
- Are there any eye witnesses?
- Is your car damaged?
Filing a Report at the Police Station
If your car accident was minor, the police report may not be made on the scene. You may have to go to the local police station to file a report. When you visit the police station, carry all the relevant information about the accident with you. This can include contact information of the other driver, license plate number, photographs of the accident scene and contact information of any eye witnesses.
Why Is It Important to File a Police Report?
In the aftermath of the car accident, you may not notice any injuries or even car damage. However, once you get home, you may start experiencing pain and you may notice some car damage as well. Filing a police report ensures that the accident is documented and all facts are preserved. It also saves you in case the other party makes any false claims or says that they are not at fault.
A police report is useful when you make an insurance claim, or you file a claim against the other driver’s insurance. It also helps settle the claims faster, because all relevant facts about the accident are well documented, and there is little room left for any contention.
Seeking Legal Help in a Car Accident Case
If you have been in a car accident, it is important that you seek legal assistance from a competent St. Louis auto accident attorney. An experienced attorney will help you with the claim process and will protect your rights. Call (314) 361-4242 or fill in the contact form below for a FREE case evaluation.