While it may not seem like calling a law enforcement officer to the scene is necessary for accidents that appear to be minor, getting a police report may be a big help to your claim if you choose to pursue compensation for the damages you suffered.
If you were injured in a car accident, reach out to our Windsor car accident lawyers for assistance. Learn if you may be eligible to pursue legal action when you schedule a free consultation with our legal team.
Helpful Information in a Police Report
Police reports contain a great deal of information about your accident, who was involved and what happened before, during and after the crash. Important details found in these reports may include:
- Basic details about the accident, including date, time and location of where the crash occurred
- Statements from the other involved driver(s), who may admit fault for the accident
- Contact details from all involved parties, including insurance information and eyewitnesses
- The police officer’s narrative of events that happened leading to the accident, as well as the conclusions he or she drew regarding the accident’s cause
- Noted injuries at the accident scene and vehicle damage descriptions
- Weather and road conditions at the time, which may be used to draw conclusions regarding how the accident happened
- Diagrams and pictures of the scene to show the severity of the accident and injuries sustained
- Tickets that were issued, which may be used as evidence of a driver’s negligence
How a Police Report Could Help Your Case
The information contained in a police report accident may prove helpful to you as you pursue a claim for compensation of your injuries. It can also assist you in the following ways:
Claims Negotiation
The police report contains the responding law enforcement officer’s observations about the accident and how it occurred, which insurance adjusters consider when evaluating a claim. The information contained can be used to show the other driver was at fault, so the adjuster may be more likely to offer a favorable settlement for your injuries.
Find Other Evidence
Once your lawyer obtains the police report, the information it contains may lead him or her to determine other evidence that could be helpful for your potential case. It could be a new witness with key information or a previously unknown security camera nearby.
Are Police Reports Admissible Evidence in Court?
In court, the police report is considered hearsay, so it is inadmissible as evidence in most situations. This is because the police officer who responds to the accident scene to make the report did not actually witness the accident when it happened. The notes made in the police report are taken from the statements made by those involved, rather than what the officer knows to be true about the situation. Essentially, the police report contains the officer’s opinions of what happened.
While police reports cannot typically be used in court, witnesses who saw the accident occur are able to testify through deposition or trial regarding what they saw when the accident occurred. Even though the witness may have told the officer the same information, which was written in the report, it is only admissible as evidence if the witness testifies about his or her observations.
Reach Out to Our Legal Team Today
If you were injured in a car accident, you need a dedicated lawyer to fight for your rights and best interests while you focus on your health and recovery. Greg Monforton & Partners has helped many injury victims seek maximum compensation to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Request a free, no-obligation consultation from our legal team today. There are no upfront fees required and we do not require payment unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
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