Fender benders are a common occurrence. It may cause little damage to property. No one was hurt. Even in such cases, it is crucial that you contact the police. A police report is essential. When it comes to car accidents, the police can do more than you can.
You must call the police, no matter how serious your accident may be. They will arrive at the scene to investigate, take photos, and speak to witnesses. They will gather all the information that your car accident lawyer needs down the road.
You might be asked by the other driver not to call the police. They may think you could just exchange your insurance information and go on your way. This is not something you can agree to. You may be asked by the driver to not call the police for a variety of reasons.
- He could be drunk, or possibly under the influence of drugs
- You don’t possess a valid driver’s license
- Has no insurance
- Are warrants in effect
- At the time of the accident, he was in violation of the law
Even more important is to have the police present to record these events. This information can be used by your car accident lawyer to prove that the other driver was at fault.
The Police Report will be required by your Car Accident Attorney later on
An accident report is created by the police when they arrive at the accident site. The report will include information that your Tampa car accident lawyer will need. You won’t have access to certain information if you wait.
You will find important information in the police report, such as:
- Name, address, and information about both drivers
- Contact information and names of witnesses
- Both drivers make statements
- Witness statements
- Photos of the scene, roads conditions, and vehicles
- It was possible that either driver was impaired by alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident
- Information about any citations that were issued in the aftermath of an accident
Yes. Your car accident lawyer can obtain some of these details. He will not be able to locate witnesses once the accident has occurred. He can’t take photos of the accident scene after it is clear.
Your lawyer’s job shouldn’t be made more difficult. Call the police to get a report that he can refer to.
Your Car Accident Attorney knows that you’ll be tempted to leave
You may feel the need to leave the accident site without calling the police. It’s not a pleasant morning to stand on the sidelines of traffic while others stare at you. It’s important to wait until the police arrive.
- Clients claim that they fled the scene after not calling the police.
- Your car will not be damaged.
- Both you and the other driver agree that it will be handled through your insurance companies.
- It’s terrible outside, and it is just too much to wait.
- You are in a hurry or too late to make an appointment
- You don’t believe you are hurt
- You feel terrible when the other driver asks you to not call the police.
These may all seem quite reasonable but they are not enough to justify you not getting a report from the police.
Florida law requires that you report any car accident.
A legal one might be sufficient if the practical reasons don’t convince you to call the police. You are legally required to report a Florida car accident in these situations:
- Property damage is more than $500
- No complaints have been made about injuries
- The accident resulted in the death of a person
- Any car that was not on the scene was to be towed.
Sometimes it is obvious whether you should call the police following an accident. You will know if someone was killed in an accident or if a car was in town. It’s difficult to determine the exact amount of property damage. You may also not know if someone has been hurt.
Talk to an attorney for car accidents right away
An injury lawyer is needed if you are involved in a Florida car accident. An attorney can review your case and determine if you have a valid lawsuit. You can also ask him any questions.
Lawyers will be available to the other driver. It is important that you have one as well. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary initial consultation.
