After a car crash, your first worry is getting treatment for your injuries to make a full recovery. Then, you start worrying about how to get compensation for your medical care costs from the at-fault driver. An experienced Union City car accident lawyer at The Weinstein Firm can help you file a car accident claim. But one of the critical pieces of evidence the attorney will need is the police report.
Here are the most important reasons why you need this document when you file a claim:
1. You Prove that You Complied with Traffic Laws
In Georgia, drivers have a legal obligation to report to the police any accident resulting in bodily injury, death and/or at least $500 in property damage. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to $1,000 fine and up to 12 months in jail or probation. You will also accumulate 3 penalty points on your driver’s license.
Beside these severe penalties, you will have a hard time filing an accident claim, even if the other driver’s fault is obvious. Many auto insurance companies do not even allow you to open a claim without the police report.
2. The Report Includes the Other Driver’s Insurance Information
Most drivers know that one of the first things to do after the crash is exchanging contact and insurance information with the other driver. However, some accident victims are either unconscious or must be taken to the hospital immediately for emergency treatments.
The accident report is the only source of information you’ll have once you recover sufficiently to start preparing your car accident claim. Also, once you contact an attorney, they will find out the coverage limits of the policy and estimate how much the insurance company will pay for your damages.
3. Your Lawyer Will Find the Eyewitnesses’ Contact Data in the Report
One of the types of evidence a lawyer relies on to win your claim is testimony given by eyewitnesses. Since they do not know you, the insurance adjuster cannot claim that they are adapting their story to suit your version of the event.
Your attorney will want to speak to them, even if you already obtained their statement at the accident scene. In some cases, the attorney will want to get an official deposition, which can be used in court if the claim does not settle and you must file a lawsuit.
4. The Police Officers Will Note Their Observations about the Accident
An experienced Union City car accident lawyer will listen to your description of the crash and compare it to the police officer’s notes in the accident report. Together, these details will help them understand if you have a valid claim.
Moreover, police officers know how to interpret signs such as skid marks to estimate the speed of both cars and the angle of the crash. These little technicalities are often essential in determining the percentage of fault for both drivers.
5. The Diagram of the Damages Can Help Accident Reconstructionists
Last, but not least, the police report contains diagrams of the two cars where the officers will indicate the dents and other signs of damage. In some cases, when liability is difficult to establish, an attorney will hire an accident reconstruction expert to recreate an animated presentation of the crash.
The diagrams showing the damages on the vehicles will help the expert understand exactly how the collision happened and create its video reenactment.
Consult with an Experienced Union City Car Accident Lawyer!
The Weinstein Firm is here to help you get fair compensation for your damages after a car crash. However, a Union City car accident lawyer will need all the relevant pieces of evidence, starting with the police report.
This document contains vital information to help the lawyer understand how the accident happened and prove the other driver’s fault.
We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible after the accident. As a new client, you benefit from a free case review, so schedule it at 770-HELP-NOW!
