When you begin the process of filing a personal injury claim it is important to gather as much information and evidence on your accident as possible. Filing a police report has the potential to aid in your case.
In Georgia, police reports are frequently used by insurance companies to determine fault in an accident. A police report might later become important evidence when insurance companies begin evaluating who is at fault for the incident after you file a personal injury claim, especially if the drivers involved are disputing each other’s narratives.
If you were involved in an accident it’s important to contact first responders for emergency assistance. While calling police might not technically be a requirement for fender benders that result in no injuries, you should always get a police report filed if anyone involved in a crash was injured. The police report may end up being an important piece of evidence when you file your claim.
You should be careful when discussing the accident with the other driver or anyone else in the immediate aftermath of a crash, especially the police. The police report will be the official record. Any statements you make implying or suggesting you were responsible for the crash, even if that’s not what you meant, can jeopardize your ability to successfully file a claim.
The officer will likely begin by gathering evidence to determine if any laws were broken and who is responsible for the accident. The officer will likely gather witness testimonials if there are any witnesses available.
In a car accident, the police officer will decide if the other driver is at fault for damages to yourself and your property. This can be used by insurance companies to determine who is eligible for a settlement in a personal injury claim.
The police report should contain all the details of the accident. This includes:
Even with a police officer present, we still recommend gathering your own evidence at the scene of the accident, like taking pictures of vehicle damage with your phone for your own records.
Police officers are not infallible and might miss key details that can aid you in proving liability. Your accident is just one part of an officer’s day, even if it’s a life-changing event for you. They may not approach your crash investigation with the gravity you think it deserves.
Waiting to file a police report can be harmful to your personal injury claim. A police report can add credibility to your injury claim that otherwise might be disregarded by insurance companies who might argue that you can’t prove that your injury was caused by the accident.
In some unfortunate instances, you might find yourself needing to dispute a police report to prove liability. The first thing you should do if you want to change a police report is gather evidence to support your claim to change it.
Valid evidence that you can present to the police officer can include:
The first step you should take if you want to change a police report after the report has been filed is to contact the police officer in charge.
After you contact the police officer, request to schedule an appointment with them. At this appointment, you can present to them any evidence you’ve gathered that can impact their police report and give cause for them to change it.
Gathering evidence and filing a personal injury claim can be a complicated process if you are handling it on your own. An experienced personal injury lawyer who knows the ropes can ensure nothing important gets missed and you get the compensation you deserve. Filing a police report is just one of many steps that can influence the outcome of your personal injury claim.
At Zdrilich Injury Law, every client gets focused attention and one-on-one time with their lawyer. We will always fight for the best outcome for you. Contact our Duluth, Georgia office at (770) 931-9604 or online to schedule your free consultation.
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Zdrilich Injury Law is committed to helping injured Georgians receive the money they need to recover physically and financially after an accident.
Zdrilich Injury Law, LLC providers one-on-one representation to car accident, truck accident and workers’ compensation clients in Georgia.
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