When a collision occurs, a formal report is usually filed that documents the nature of and the participants in a crash. There are two basic types of car accident reports:
Since there is such a high volume of car accidents, police are rarely dispatched to non-injury car crashes, and so it is a good idea to produce your own unofficial accident report.
A few days after the accident, once a claim has been filed with the insurance company, a claims adjuster will begin collecting statements from the drivers involved in the crash, the passengers, and any witnesses. Even though the police report may clearly state that one particular driver was at fault, the adjuster still has to investigate the claim.
Police reports are very persuasive in personal injury claims. The police officer was actually at the site of the collision. Their training allows them to properly evaluate the accident and its causes, especially each driver's fault. A police officer's testimony has automatic credibility with a jury.
Sometimes police officers do not assign fault in a car accident. When that occurs, the accident report may indicate that:
When the police don't assign fault, it may still be possible to convince the insurance adjuster that the insured caused the crash, but doing so will require evidence that either contradicts the officer's assessment, or supplements and clarifies it. In this case, an experienced personal injury attorney will have the expertise to move the claim forward and persuade an adjuster to offer a settlement if possible.
Accident Data Center partners with personal injury attorneys across the nation who help injured people handle insurance claims. If you or an immediate family member has been seriously injured and wants to request a copy of the Police Collision Report, go here to get more information.
Initially, you may not think your vehicle is really damaged or you are that hurt, which may change later on, so having that report will really help as the officer will take down all the important information, including who he believes is at fault.
If you were involved in a car accident in Texas where someone was injured, chances are the police were called and you were given a police report number. This police report is important for several reasons.
Now, you don’t have to, you have the fifth amendment right to refuse to talk at all. Generally, that’s not a good idea because you will immediately go to jail.
Personal Injury Attorney Bill Coats often sees clients who only have the minimal information; he will immediately order the complete collision report for auto injury claims because it describes the “official” details of the accident as well as the registered owner’s name and insurance company.
Because the odds suggest that most drivers will eventually experience a major auto accident, it is imperative that every driver know how to respond when disaster strikes. That response includes understanding the importance of preserving evidence after a major car accident. Go here to learn more about why it is crucial to locate and preserve any evidence after a Texas car accident.
At about 1:15am, two deputies were in a police SUV when they were struck by a driver that failed to stop at a stop sign.
At about 3:00 pm, a man hijacked a woman's car, struck her with it, and fled the scene, which lead police to pursue the man. Eventually, the man crashed the vehicle and was detained, and the woman who was hit was hospitalized, but only sustained non-life threatening injuries.
Lee County deputy was found at fault in an accident that killed Austin Dukette, 15. Deputy Douglas E.
