After a motor vehicle accident, you may be in shock and unsure how to proceed. While calling the police may seem like the right thing to do, you may not be sure whether it is necessary for your accident. In the chaos of the crash, you may simply forget to call the police altogether.
One reason to call the police after an accident is so they can create a police report. Do you need a police report for an insurance claim? How does it benefit your case, and what happens if you do not have one? Whether you experienced a motorcycle accident in Mobile, AL, or another type of accident, here is what you need to know.
What Is a Police Report for an Accident Claim?
A police report is a document created by a police officer. It may summarize what happened, where, and who was involved.
Police reports may contain both factual information, such as the time of day the crash occurred, and the officer’s opinion about what happened. Based on the position of the vehicles and the parties’ testimonies, the officer may infer that one party was at fault for the accident.
While the officer may give informed opinions based on the evidence they see, these opinions won’t always be the whole story, especially when they focus on clearing the scene as quickly as possible to resume normal traffic flow. Just because an officer indicates you are at fault in the police report does not mean the insurance company would find you at fault.
It may be a good idea to request a copy of the police report and review the information provided.
What Does the Police Report Include?
Do you need a police report for an insurance claim? This report may contain valuable information to aid your claim.
When you call the police after a car accident, they likely will come to the scene and collect information. They may talk to witnesses, measure distances, take photos, and write notes, all of which can help inform their police report.
The police report may include all of the information the officer collects at the scene, such as:
- The estimated time of the accident
- The date and location of the crash
- The names and contact information for all parties involved
- The contact information of any witnesses
- A description of the damage to the vehicles involved
- A drawn diagram of the accident
- A description of weather and roadway conditions at the time of the crash
- Statements from the parties involved
- Any citations issued to parties involved in the accident
- The officer’s fault determination
How Does the Police Report Help Your Insurance Claim?
Do you need a police report to file an insurance claim? While this report may not be necessary for a lawsuit, it can provide extremely helpful information.
When investigating an accident claim, the insurance company may collect as much evidence as possible about the crash. This evidence may inform the adjuster’s decision to give you a payout under the policy terms.
A police report may include a wealth of information about the crash that the insurer might use in their investigation. This report may be especially helpful when it suggests that the other party was at fault in the crash, not you.
The insurance adjuster may not always agree with the officer’s opinion in the police report. A police report that pins the fault on the other driver won’t always mean the adjuster accepts your claim. Still, this report often serves as valuable evidence to aid the other investigative materials in your claim.
Will the Insurance Company Accept Your Claim Without a Police Report?
Some drivers may hesitate to involve the police after an accident. If you did not call the police after the crash, whether by choice or by accident, you may now worry that the insurer will not accept your claim.
Do you need a police report for an insurance claim? Not having a report may not bar you from receiving funds through an insurance claim. It just may make your claim harder to prove.
The insurance adjuster may need to collect evidence about the accident in other ways. If you and the other party have vastly different testimonies, and neither of you has much evidence, the insurer may hesitate to approve the claim.
Car accident attorneys typically recommend you contact the police after any accident. If you decide not to involve the police, be sure to collect as much evidence as possible at the crash scene. You may want to take photos of all vehicles, write down the contact information available for all witnesses, and record details about the date, time, and location of the crash.
How To Request a Copy of a Police Report in Mobile, AL
The insurance company may request a copy of the police report as part of your insurance claim.
Seek Assistance With Your Insurance Claim Through Jackson & Foster Law
Do you need a police report for an insurance claim? While you may be able to file an insurance claim without one, police reports may serve as valuable evidence in your accident claim.
At Jackson & Foster Law, we know that the aftermath of a vehicle accident can feel overwhelming and stressful. Whether you need help requesting a copy of the police report, navigating a low settlement offer, or proving your claim, our experienced attorneys can assist you.
Contact us today at 251-433-6699 for an evaluation of your case.
