insurance | Jackson & Foster

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.

You suffer a car accident but would prefer to settle this situation without involving the police. Can you claim a car accident without a police report?

The short answer is that yes, in some cases, you may file an insurance claim without a police report. However, it’s better to have an accident report if you can. A car accident lawyer in Mobile, AL, can determine whether you must contact the police after someone hits your vehicle.

Do You Need To Report an Accident in Alabama?

In Alabama, you must notify the police of any accident that caused death, injury, or property damage over $500 if the at-fault driver was uninsured. The reporting deadline is 30 days after the accident.

Failing to report an accident may land you in serious trouble. If the accident resulted in property damage only, non-reporting would be a Class A misdemeanor with a possible fine of up to $1,000. Persons who don’t report an accident that led to injury or death may face a Class C felony conviction and much higher fines.

Since it’s better to be safe than sorry, report your accident when in any doubt. Preferably, you’d call the police from the accident scene and, if possible, wait for law enforcement to arrive.

Why It’s Always Better To Have a Police Report

If you’re planning to file an accident claim, a police report is a key piece of evidence you’d use. Insurance companies may look into the police report to determine who caused the accident. With an accident report, you’re less likely to find yourself in a situation where your insurer denies coverage, and you end up paying for damages out of pocket.

Since car accident claims in Alabama operate on a fault basis, you must show that the other side was responsible. You’ll also have to prove that the accident wasn’t your fault if you want to avoid paying higher auto insurance premiums. Both are easier to do with a police report.

A police report can also protect you in a situation where the other motorist gives you false information and disappears after an accident.

What’s in a Police Report?

A police report typically includes the following:

The time, date, and precise location of the crash
Information about the people and vehicles involved, like names, contact information, and license plate numbers
A diagram depicting the accident (the path the vehicles took and where they collided

The reporting officer may also give their initial conclusions about possible causes of the crash, like a note that one of the motorists showed signs of impaired driving.

If you must report the accident after leaving the crash scene, provide as many details as possible about the collision, including its location, time, date, and circumstances. Also, include any information you have about the other motorist who was involved.

Sourcing a Copy of the Police Report

You can request a copy of the report through the law enforcement office that responded to the accident. If the police arrive on the scene, the reporting officer will usually give you an identification number. Use this number later to ask for a copy of the report.

Once you have the report, you can include it in your insurance claim, and the insurance adjuster will look into it to establish fault.

Will an Insurer Accept a Claim Without a Police Report?

Supposing a report is unavailable, can you claim a car accident without a police report? Usually, yes, especially if you’re filing after a minor collision that didn’t lead to extensive damage or injuries. However, the claim process may be slower if you don’t have a police report.

In the absence of an official accident report, you will need to present other evidence to your insurer. This evidence may include:

Photos of the accident scene, focusing on damage to your vehicle, skid marks, and other important details
Dash cam or surveillance camera footage
The names, insurance details, and other information of any other motorists who were involved in the accident
Eyewitness statements, if other people saw the accident, and the witnesses’ identifying information
A detailed account of the collision, including the entire chain of events, possible factors that caused the crash, road and weather conditions, etc.

How Long Do You Have To File a Claim?

In Alabama, you must file a personal injury claim within two years of the accident and a property damage claim within six years. However, in practice, you should talk to a lawyer shortly after your accident and decide your next steps. The sooner you begin working on your claim, the easier it will be to collect witness statements, medical reports, and other evidence.

Does a Police Report Mean an Insurer Will Automatically Accept Your Claim?

A police report is only part of the evidence you’ll provide when filing your claim. The at-fault driver’s insurance company may still dispute this report and deny your claim based on other factors.

The larger your potential settlement may be, the stronger incentive an insurer may have to challenge your claim. If you suffered a serious accident with high ensuing damages, you always need a competent lawyer to protect your rights.

Call Jackson & Foster Law for Help With Your Car Accident Case

The general answer to “Can you claim a car accident without a police report?” is “Sometimes, but having such a report is immensely helpful if you plan to sue for damages.”

If you’re preparing to file a car accident claim, call us at Jackson & Foster Law to consult an experienced attorney who knows all about car accidents and insurance companies. We’ll let you know whether you need to report your accident to the police and guide you through the process of filing a claim.

Call 251-433-6699 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation.

Do You Need a Police Report for an Accident Insurance Claim in Mobile, AL?