6 Essentialities of Police Reports in California for Personal Injury Cases

6 Essentialities of Police Reports in California for Personal Injury Cases

The most important thing you should know is that if you are in an accident due to the other driver’s fault, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit and receive compensation. However, you need to protect this right. A significant way to do that is to file a police report after the accident.

It is understandable that after an accident, you may suffer from stress and other physical and emotional challenges. This stress can lead you to forget how the accident happened or all the necessary steps to take to ensure that your chances of compensation remain intact. With a police report, the events that led to the accident are documented, and your rights remain intact.

What a Police Report Is

One misconception to remove from your mind is that a police report is just a formality. A police report in a personal injury case is an important document. It corroborates your story and ensures you receive compensation. It gives you credibility and protects you from the defense’s antics. 

The Essentiality of a Police Report

• Clarity on Blame

When you file a police report, the police conduct an investigation. During the investigation, they can determine who was at fault and the root of the accident. They do this by assessing the accident location and gathering statements from eyewitnesses. It can be the evidence you need to prove the other party’s fault. 

• Documentation of Events

After some time, you may not be able to relate to the accident as you initially did, which may lead to conflicting stories. However, when you file a police report immediately after the accident, the events are still fresh in your memory. 

The police investigation will also show what caused the accident, which may be helpful to your attorney.

• Payment of Compensation 

Since a legal document already details the accident, the insurance adjuster must only review it to show who was at fault. It will reduce the need for a long insurance query about the accident, allowing your attorney to negotiate the payment of damages much more quickly. 

• Evidence

The police collect eyewitness accounts during their investigation, which are substantial evidence in your case. The other party may try to contest your personal injury claim. However, the police report can help your attorney prove their guilt.

• Elimination of Fraud

Some people sue for personal injury even when not in an accident. Some engineer an accident and file a personal injury lawsuit. They tend to do this to defraud their insurance company or entrap an innocent person into paying damages. 

However, an attorney can prove the affair is a fraud with a police report. It contains eyewitness accounts and other evidence, such as CCTV footage.

• Contains Police Investigation 

Police investigation is paramount in civil and criminal cases. A police report contains every bit of information on the investigation. First, police try to gather eyewitness accounts. Then, they check the area for CCTV cameras. If there are, they collect the footage to review.

If there is no CCTV footage, the police will simulate the accident based on the evidence gathered. They will also collect forensic analysis results of the vehicles and the location of the accident. After this, the officer in charge of the investigation will conclude.

“You should know that California law holds officers’ opinions in high regard in personal injury cases,” says personal injury attorney Ryan Block from Block LLP Injury Law Firm.

Why You Should Engage an Attorney

The stress that comes with accidents can become overwhelming for you to bear. That is not to take off the physical injuries and emotional challenges you have to deal with. Handling a personal injury case on all these can prove too difficult. An attorney can ease the burden by helping with collecting evidence and proving your case.

An attorney can also help hold the police accountable and ensure that they carry out an impeccable investigation. They will also help review your statement and ensure that you do not say anything that may jeopardize your chances of receiving compensation for your injuries.