Involved in a Crash? Get an Accident Report
When you are involved in a car accident, you are most likely not thinking of all of the “right” things to do. You are probably in shock, or helping someone else who is, and the last thing you are thinking of is the paperwork. However, if it is possible to get an accident report, you should.
Why get an accident report?
There are several reasons why having an accident report will be helpful. When an accident occurs, it is key to collect contact information from the involved parties and any witnesses, and then interview them about what happened. An officer is trained to do this, and will help you by gathering all of the contact information using a pre-prepared form that they fill out.
In Florida, the officer can compel people to answer questions about the crash under what is commonly known as the accident report privilege. Basically, their compelled statement cannot be evidence against them in court. However, what they say in a crash report interview will be used by car accident lawyers and insurance companies in deciding who is at fault.
How can an accident report help you in court?
If any litigation results for damage or injury, an accident report is one of the first things a car accident lawyer and the insurance company try to locate because it can be very useful for evaluating the case.
The accident report can provide all the needed contact information for the parties, their insurance companies, and witnesses. It will often also include other key information, including statements from drivers and witnesses, and a narrative with a diagram as to what happened. Additionally, an officer can issue citations to at-fault drivers that can further assist in resolving any litigation that may result from the crash.
Why doesn’t everyone get an accident report?
The downside of getting an accident report is that it will take time for an officer to arrive and complete the report. Nevertheless, this is likely the only opportunity to have all of those involved, including witnesses, to be present at the same time while everything is still fresh in their minds.
Involved in a Crash? The Car Accident Lawyers at Avera & Smith Can Help.
Avera & Smith has a reputation for caring service as we work to ensure full and fair compensation for victims of car accidents and their families. Our car accident lawyers include a specialist in Civil Trial Law who is Board-Certified by the Florida Bar. Contact us to have an attorney review your case for free.