Will a Police Report Help Prove Fault in a Car Crash?
Lakeland car accidents can cause serious injuries and severe financial repercussions. The car accident attorneys of Moody Law can help accident victims recover the maximum compensation from their insurance provider or through a lawsuit.
Because Florida is a no-fault state, some people wonder if it’s worth trying to prove fault after a car accident. Proving fault is still important and can help when seeking compensation from insurance. Learn more as we take a closer look at proving fault in car accidents and police reports in Lakeland, FL, and Winter Haven, FL.
Can Police Reports Strengthen Your Case?
Police reports can be useful in proving fault when filing accident claims with an insurer but they are generally not accepted as evidence in a lawsuit.
This is because car accident reports are usually considered hearsay as they are typically recorded by an officer who was not present when the accident happened but instead gathers information second-hand from witnesses and the parties involved.
With that said, police reports can be helpful in proving fault when filing an insurance claim. Police reports can help paint a picture of the scene of the accident for insurance providers and show which driver was considered at fault by law enforcement.
What Type of Information Is Included in a Police Report?
Police reports contain important information for determining fault in a car accident. Some information commonly found in a car accident police report includes:
- Names of drivers involved in the accident
- Driver’s license numbers of those involved
- Drivers’ insurance information
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- Important information about the crash location, like an obstructed stop sign
- Information about road conditions, such as wet roads
- Any injuries sustained by drivers, passengers, or pedestrians
- Property and vehicle damage
- Witness statements
- Statements from the drivers involved in the accident
How to File a Police Report
If police are at the scene of the accident, they typically file a police report on their own. If police are not present or they don’t file a police report, the parties involved should file a report within 10 days of the accident.
When filing your own police report, it’s important to gather as much evidence as possible, like photos and videos of the scene of the accident, damage to both vehicles, and pictures of injuries. You will also need to have detailed information about the accident such as the date, time, and location of the accident.
Police reports can be filed at your local police station while some police stations offer online options for filing reports.
How to Obtain a Police Report
Copies of police reports can be obtained from the precinct it was filed in at the time the report is filed or at a later date. A lawyer can also help with obtaining a copy of the police report.
Once the police report is available, it is a good idea to obtain a copy for yourself, one for your attorney, and one for your car insurance provider.
Contact Moody Law
If you have been injured in a car accident, it’s important to speak with a car accident attorney as soon as possible. Schedule a consultation with the Lakeland car accident attorneys of Moody Law to discuss your case.