Do I Need a Police Report When Filing a Personal Injury Claim?
When you’ve been involved in an accident, whether it’s a car crash, pedestrian accident, or any other personal injury incident, one question that often arises is: Do I need a police report to file a personal injury claim? While a police report is not a strict legal requirement for filing a claim, it can be a valuable piece of evidence that strengthens your case. Here’s why a police report can be important and what to do if you don’t have one.
Why a Police Report Can Help Your Case
The following are the most important ways in which a police report can help with your personal injury claim.
- Provides an objective record of your incident: A police report provides an impartial account of your accident. Police officers typically gather information from all parties involved, witnesses, and also assess the accident scene. Having this third-party documentation can make it harder for the at-fault party to dispute the facts.
- Details of your accident: Police reports often include important details such as the time, location, weather conditions, and any visible injuries or property damage. This can help establish the sequence of events and who was at fault, which is crucial when pursuing compensation.
- Includes witness information: Officers on the scene may collect contact information from witnesses, which can be vital if there are conflicting stories. Witnesses may later be contacted to provide further details about the incident.
- Documentation for insurance companies: Many insurance companies, especially in car accident cases, will ask for a copy of the police report. While they may still process a claim without one, having the report can streamline the process and reduce delays. It also bolsters the credibility of your claim.
What If You Don’t Have a Police Report?
In some cases, you may not have a police report. You may not have a report for a variety of reasons, including the idea that your accident didn’t seem serious at the time, law enforcement was not called to the scene, or your injury occurred in a situation where police were not involved, like a slip-and-fall accident on private property.
If you don’t have a police report, you can still file a personal injury claim, but your attorney will need to rely on other forms of evidence, such as:
- Photographs or video evidence of the accident scene,
- Medical records that show the extent of your injuries,
- Eyewitness statements from anyone who saw what happened, and
- Your own account of the incident, written down as soon as possible after the event.
When Is a Police Report Legally Required?
In some cases, like car accidents, state laws may require that a police report be filed if the crash involves significant property damage, serious injury, or death.
Even if you think the accident was minor, it’s always a good idea to contact law enforcement and document the incident, just in case injuries or damages turn out to be more serious than initially thought.
Filing a Police Report After the Fact
If you didn’t get a police report at the scene, it may still be possible to file one afterward, depending on your jurisdiction. Some police departments allow reports to be filed within a certain timeframe after the accident. This can still provide helpful documentation for your claim.
Contact Justice Through Compensation for Help
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, please know that the law firm of Justice Through Compensation is here to help. Our legal team is skilled, experienced, and passionate in their representation. Let us shoulder the burden of an injury claim or lawsuit while you focus on healing from your injuries. Contact us today for the quality legal help you deserve.
* Main image at top by Freepik