After you’ve been injured in an accident and have called for medical attention, it’s always a good idea to report your accident to the authorities, and beyond that, it’s the law. In many states where car accidents result in injuries, death, or damages exceeding $1,000, drivers are legally obligated to contact highway patrol or the police and file a written report. When you call 911 and an officer arrives at the scene, they’re required to make an official report of the incident and have both parties on file.
This report, which is also known as a crash report, is filed with the officer’s law enforcement office. If you wish to file a claim against the driver who caused your injuries and recover damages, the crash report is considered helpful evidence that can support your claim.
The contents of a crash report include:
- The date, time, and location of the collision
- Citations and/or violations of law
- Information for parties involved in the car accident, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information
- Information for witnesses
- Diagram of the accident
- Location of damage to the vehicles involved in the accident
- Weather, roadway, and lighting conditions at the scene
- Statements from the parties and witnesses
After you’ve reported your accident to the police, you also have 24 hours from the time of your injury to report your accident to your insurance company. After you’ve called your insurance company, you should then hire a personal injury attorney who can get started on your case. One of the main reasons why it’s best for your case to get started quickly is that some important evidence can disappear within the first 24 hours. All car accident claims have a limited timeframe to be filed as well, and you don’t want to miss out on collecting compensation simply because you waited too long to file a claim.
MILLIONS RECOVERED FOR OUR CLIENTS
Though many drivers think they can navigate their car accident claims on their own after a car accident and believe they can trust insurance companies to give them the compensation they’re entitled to, it doesn’t take long for them to realize that navigating the legal system successfully isn’t simple. Insurance companies don’t have policyholders’ best interests in mind, despite what some people think, and will deploy a variety of tactics to avoid having to pay victims. With a car accident attorney by your side who is passionate about protecting your rights, you don’t have to worry whether you’re being taken advantage of or if your claim is being undermined.
At Bostic Law Group, P.A., our team can thoroughly investigate your accident and injuries and determine just how much you’re able to recover under the law. Once we come to a settlement amount that works for you, we work tirelessly to support your claim through gathering evidence, from witness statements to medical records and crash reports. Your future is bright with our team guiding you.
Contact our team online or by phone at (843) 350-9646 for a legal consultation after your car accident. At Bostic Law Group, P.A., our car accident attorneys have more than 20 years of experience serving clients who have suffered injuries both minor and catastrophic.
