Most people will be in at least one car accident in their lifetime, and many of them will be in more than one. For this reason, it is important to know what to do after a car accident, and one of the first steps is calling the police. You can tell your side of the story once the police officer arrives at the accident scene.
A police officer can talk to all drivers involved in an accident and any witnesses who might be on the scene. The officer will complete and file a police report that should contain important information, but false information often winds up in accident reports.
The police report will indicate if the at-fault driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. The report can include whether they were cited for a traffic violation, such as speeding, and it will include details on the time and location of the accident.
You should obtain a copy of the police report, especially if you were in the emergency room and did not get a chance to talk to a responding officer. When the other driver is the only source of information, odds are the police report will contain false or misleading information that favors that driver.
Do I Need to Call the Police if There Are Injuries Involved?
You should call the police regardless whether or not you believe someone is severely injured. In some cases, injuries may not be apparent, so you cannot always tell someone is injured. It is important to have a police officer document the accident. The police report can help determine the events leading up to the accident. You should also stay at the accident scene.
What if the Accident Was Minor?
Even a seemingly minor accident should be reported to the police. This is because you cannot always tell the extent of the damage or injuries. The police can help document the extent of property damage to both vehicles and whether or not anyone is injured.
Do Not Leave the Scene
If you leave without calling the police, you could be accused of leaving the scene of an accident, even if another driver caused the accident. When you file a claim with your auto insurance provider, the insurer will want to know if you contacted the police after the accident. If you did not, the insurer might have less confidence in anything you say to them, which could affect the outcome of your claim.
Chester County Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Help Accident Survivors
If you have a question regarding your accident, contact our Chester County car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. Call us at 610-565-3701 or complete our online form to schedule an initial consultation and to learn more. We have offices in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, and we represent clients in Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.