Car Accident Claim Without a Police Report?
Accidents happen everyday and that’s why we have insurance.
But when do you need to file a police report?
This can be confusing because any good injury lawyer will tell you that no matter how minor the accident is, you should always file a police report.
Filing a police report or even having the police present at an accident depends on the severity of the accident.
When minor accidents happen you may want to just exchange information with the other driver and move on with your day.
This could be an issue later on when the other driver claims you were the one at fault.
No matter how small the incident, filing a police report will do several things that can help you in the future.
In certain circumstances police reports are required.
Even if the police are not on the scene of the accident that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t contact the police.
You can always take pictures and video yourself at the scene of the accident.
You can file a report of the incident and the police will issue a report after you have submitted the information online.
There are several options regarding police reports and filing claims when you have a car accident.
If you have any doubts about what you should do always lean towards the side of caution and get a police report of some kind.
Always contact a lawyer when in doubt about what you should do after a car accident.
Legally Required to get Police Report After an Accident?
Not all car accidents require a police report.
In Nevada you are required to file a police report if the car accident results in:
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Injury or death to any person involved in the crash
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If the damage to property is more than $750 to any vehicle or property
You must file the police report within 10 days of the incident regardless of whether or not the police were at the scene.
If the police are at the scene of the accident and are investigating the crash, you do not have to file a separate report since the police will do that as part of the investigation.
It is recommended that you file a police report no matter what.
Failure to do so can result in legal consequences, insurance complications, and lack of evidence when trying to get compensation for a claim.
Why is a Police Report Important?
While not required to settle an accident insurance claim or personal injury claim, it can cause complications to not have a police report.
In most cases police reports are not likely used as evidence in the court of law, but can be used to negotiate a settlement for a personal injury claim.
Police reports usually provide a neutral view of the accident and not just the driver’s claim to their insurance.
Police reports contain valuable information for both attorneys and insurance adjusters regarding any claim you choose to file.
This information can include contact information for witnesses, in some cases an accident recreation sketch, other driver’s information including insurance, and a neutral viewpoint of the incident.
Other information contained in police reports are the weather at the time of the accident, the road conditions, both driver’s state of mind or potential impairment and injuries that the police notice while at the scene.
This information is all very important to move forward after the crash.
How to Get a Copy of Your Police Report?
Getting a copy from the police is usually easy, but it depends on where the accident happened and what police department is issuing the report.
It may take some time to get the report, this is usually due to how severe the accident was.
The more serious the accident, the longer it may take to get the report.
If the police arrive on the scene of the accident and investigate, the responding officers will issue a card to you with the case number of your accident and the responding officers information.
This card will also contain information on how to obtain the report either online or in person.
Other information will include the earliest date you might be able to pick up a copy of the report.
You should always go in person to pick up the report and it may cost a few dollars to get additional copies.
In some cases online reports are not available depending on the department and the accident.
Your attorney can also get a copy of the report once they have been hired to represent you.
Insurance Companies and Police Reports
While it is possible to file an insurance claim without a police report it is more difficult to get a fair settlement.
Police reports validate your insurance claim and can help speed up the claims process.
Without a police report insurance companies might have many more questions about the accident.
Beware of insurance companies anyway regardless of the police report.
Insurance companies may deny your claim or submit an offer for less than you deserve.
Never speak with insurance adjusters or other representatives without speaking with a lawyer first.
All statements taken by the insurance companies can be used against you.
Never take the first offer.
Most first offers of settlement are low ball offers to get the case closed as soon as possible.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer gives you a representative that will fight for you.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
Unfortunately people and companies don’t always do right by each other.
When you are injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault you expect that the other insurance will cover the cost of your medical expenses and other losses.
However that is not always the case.
This is where hiring a personal injury lawyer comes in, they are on your side to represent you against the insurance companies.
That’s why gathering evidence like a police report can be beneficial to helping your lawyer with settlement negotiations.
The Richard Harris Law Firm has been representing clients after car accident injuries for decades.
Our team is dedicated to getting our clients the settlements they deserve, we have recovered Billions over the years.
Call The Richard Harris Law Firm today for your free consultation.
