When the police arrive at the scene of a car accident, they usually conduct an investigation that may include interviewing the people involved, as well as any witnesses, and they examine any physical evidence of the car crash such as property damage or skid marks. Their police reports also determine who caused the automobile accident.
What Is in the Police Report?
Police reports have many different roles in car accident cases where personal injuries are involved. First, police reports provide information about the people involved in the car accident including names, phone numbers and addresses. The police also write down the insurance of all the parties involved, including the name of the insurance company as well as the policy number. They also include information provided by witnesses and their contact information.
The police report for your auto accident with also have an officer’s description the property damage to the vehicles involved. In our experience, the categories used to describe property damage -- minor, moderate or major property damage -- can be wrong or misleading. The police will also draw a diagram of where the car accident happened.
Most importantly, police reports may also provide the investigating officer’s opinion of who is fault for the automobile accident. Please note that the police are not always correct in their assessment of car accidents.
What Happens if the Police Report Is Wrong
Any mistakes in a police report can be extremely detrimental to you in a
personal injury claim. Incorrect investigations may put the wrong person at fault, and that party’s insurance company will be forced to argue that the police report is incorrect. This could leave you in the unenviable position of having to pay the bill for your injuries and property damage.
An experienced personal injury lawyer should be able help you fight the effects of an incorrect police report. That is just one of the many reasons why hiring a
personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after a car accident only increases the chance that your side of the story will be heard and documented fairly.
Call Us Now For Help with Your Insurance Claim
Since 1992, our
San Diego law offices have been helping people just like you recover the maximum financial compensation for their personal injury. You shouldn’t have to worry about fighting insurance companies, so leave that to our experienced personal injury attorneys. Let us help you recover the maximum personal injury settlement by properly filing your insurance claim.
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If you would like help with your personal injury claim, then please contact our bilingual offices as soon as possible at 1-858-551-2090 or
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