Should You File A Police Report After An Accident?
When it is impossible to avoid a minor auto accident, you should do everything in your power to protect yourself and get the necessary documentation. Reports of traffic accidents are required for insurance purposes. Furthermore, you can use police reports at a court hearing or trial if your injuries need treatment from a medical professional. A traffic report may also gain you compensation from the other driver's insurance company if you have been injured in a collision.
The first thing a personal Injury Lawyer in Kitchener will ask potential clients is whether a police report was filed. Before the attorney decides to take on a case, they will first want a copy of a filed police report. This is because filing a police report proves that you sustained injuries from an accident where the at-fault party was negligent. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be.
Importance of Police Reports
A police report is an unbiased third-party record of the facts surrounding what led to the car accident. It can counterbalance any opposing viewpoints that claim different reasons for the accident. Another reason is that this report can be used when you and your injury attorney will want to file a lawsuit against the person who hit you if it comes down to that. It's also instrumental when determining how negligent or reckless the driver was at the time of the crash and if they were responsible for your injuries and damages.
Information Provided by the Police Report
Injury Lawyer in Kitchener knows that a police report provides a wealth of important information. The officer will take notes and compile them into a report. This report will include:
• The weather conditions at the time of the accident
• The condition of both vehicles involved in the collision
• Identification and contact information for all parties involved (if known)
• All relevant witness statements (if any)
• How traffic was controlled at the time of the collision (warning signs, barriers, etc.)
• Pertinent other facts surrounding the occurrence
Note that this data pertains to describing what occurred before and during the accident and its aftermath. It does not take into account fault or liability. This is because it pertains to establishing facts related to what occurred, not who was at fault.
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