When the cops are called to a crash scene, they fill out a report. This police report can be useful if you decide to pursue a lawsuit. A San Antonio, Texas auto accident lawyer can tell you how to get a copy of this document and what other evidence can help you build a more convincing case.
What’s in a Police Report?
A police report contains a lot of information that can be useful if you want to pursue a lawsuit or make a claim against an insurance company. The report should offer info like:
- Where the crash occurred
- The names and insurance info for all drivers involved in the crash
- Whether or not anyone was injured or sought medical attention
- If cyclists or pedestrians were involved in the crash
- Details about each vehicle involved in the accident
- Road conditions and weather conditions at the time of the crash
- A diagram of the crash
- What kind of crash occurred, i.e. head-on collision or t-bone accident
- Whether any traffic citations or arrests were made at the scene
How Do I Get a Copy of the Police Report?
When the officer fills out a report, they should give you a form that gives you instructions about how to claim a copy of the finished police report. You can usually do this by mail or in person at the department that made the report.
Do I Have to Call the Cops After Any Accident?
In Texas, drivers are supposed to call the cops to an accident scene if:
- Someone is injured
- Someone has died
- There is more than $1,000 in property damage
So if you get into a minor crash, you might think that there’s no good reason to get a police report written up. We still recommend contacting the police though. It can be hard to estimate how much damage has been done to a vehicle and sometimes people involved in a crash only realize that they were injured later on. It’s a good idea to get a report written even if you think your accident was just a tiny fender bender.
Do I Need a Report to Sue For Damages?
Having a police report can help you when you sue for compensation. Even though a report rarely says that one party is to blame for the crash, it contains a lot of helpful information about the crash itself and that info can support your arguments. Your lawyer can also assist you with the gathering of other useful evidence, like surveillance footage of the crash, eyewitness accounts, and photographs of the accident scene.
Contact Our Law Firm
So if you have been hurt in a car accident, we want to help you claim the compensation that you deserve. Contact Sahadi Legal Group to learn more about what our lawyers can do for you and how we can help you build a compelling case.
