Filing a Police Report After an Auto Accident
With small scrapes, such as catching the bumper of the car in front of you as you move off at the light, you might think nothing of it if you both get out and agree there’s no harm done. But if you don’t exchange details or report the incident to the police, you could face repercussions further down the line.
A police report can provide valuable information for your car insurance company, and it can help to protect you in the event of an accident-related lawsuit. Even if you think that the accident was so minor that you don’t have much to report to the police, it is always worth calling the police and filing a report. You never know if the other driver involved in the accident will file a claim, sue you, and they could even change their story.
A police report helps you in various ways, including:
- Facilitating the claims process with your auto insurance company.
- Speed up the claims process so that you get a quicker payout.
- Proving your attorney with facts about the accident, should the incident escalate into a court case.
Make your police report as detailed and accurate as possible. Take notes and photos at the scene of the accident to gather information and help you remember. Remember to include:
- Description of what happened
- Number of passengers in the other driver’s car
- Driver’s name and insurance information
- Names of witnesses
- Damages to your vehicle
- Injuries to yourself or your passengers
Remember to take photos of the scene, your vehicle, and your injuries.
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