Have you been in a car accident or know someone who has been in one? The one thing everyone must know is the importance of a police report after an accident. Irrespective of how minor or severe your injury is, you should inform the police.
The first and foremost thing to do after a car accident is, of course, to call the emergency number 911 and seek medical help. Your next step is to call the police and accurately describe the situation. Make sure you provide your name, address, contact information, vehicle license plate number, and if available, information about a witness of the accident. If possible, you should also take pictures which will help in further documentation and assessment of the situation.
The possibilities of a car accident injury
A car accident is one of the most common road accidents. Negligence or recklessness of the driver may put your life at risk. Injuries caused due to a car accident can be permanent and life-long, physical or mental, and can even prove to be fatal. A spinal cord injury, brain injury, or paralysis may impact your whole life. The financial burden caused by medical expenses or loss of income is also something the victim has to cope with.
If you do not report the accident to the police, you will have no proper proof, and a lack of evidence will affect the settlement that is owed to you. In case of any legal problems, you will not be protected and stand a chance to be extremely vulnerable. Personal injuries may start showing up much later and make the situation harder for you to deal with if you have no support or back-up. A police report at the right time will also help avoid any third-party report against your situation.
Steps to file a police report after an accident
- Call the police after an accident. If you were involved in the accident, ask for help to call the police.
- Report the details of the accident. You and other witnesses will be asked a series of questions that you need to answer accurately.
- Provide your name, address, contact information, and the vehicle license plate number.
- Obtain a copy of the report which can be sent to your insurance provider and later to your personal injury lawyer.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry. This police report should be kept for compensation purposes and to avoid any kind of fake report.
Reasons why you should file a police report
- Protect yourself from lawsuits
You may be suddenly surprised by a personal injury lawsuit which you can avoid if you have already reported about the car accident to the police. Even in case of small damage caused to your car or minor and no injuries, you should consider calling the police.
- A car insurance claim
If you are seeking car insurance, it shall require you to first file a police report. Significant damage to your car due to an accident must be documented and proven.
- A personal injury claim
Your medical expenses, loss of income, and other damages shall be covered under a personal injury claim if you were not responsible for the car accident. A police report proves helpful and is reliable in making your claim strong.
Claim settlement advises you on how to file a police report at the earliest, after a car accident. There is a possibility that you may tend to forget little details of the accident after some time, which is why immediate action is a priority. Try to provide as much information as possible. The legal system in Canada provides financial compensation, medical support, and more to a person who successfully proves his/her case and files a proper claim. We can get you in touch with the medical team to take care of your health and a legal team to handle negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurer so that you get the best settlement.
At Claim Settlement, our network of lawyers.. we connect you with have over 20 years of experience in handling personal injury and accident cases and have helped clients recover the maximum compensation in claim settlements. Our initial consultation is absolutely free and you don’t pay your lawyer until you receive the compensation you deserve. If you have suffered an injury or been in an accident call us at 1-833-892-5246 for a free consultation or e-mail us at claim@claimsettlement.ca