When you are involved in an auto accident, you will want to make sure that you contact the police to make sure that they observe the scene of the accident and write an accident report. In many states, you are required by law to call the police as long as the damages are above a certain amount. However, you need to call the police regardless. Unfortunately, some police officers make mistakes. If you notice a mistake on your accident report, you need to tell your personal injury attorney about this.
The Details of an Accident Report
The accident report will include details written down by the responding officer. This includes basic details such as the time and place of the accident. The officer might create a diagram of the accident and any statements made by witnesses who were interviewed.
The officer will take note of the injuries that each party might have, the damage done to each vehicle, and the officer's opinion on which party is at fault. You will need the details to be accurate because you may use them in a future settlement.
How To Obtain an Accident Report
You must obtain an accident report to be able to determine if there are any mistakes and to use the accident report during your settlement negotiations. You may be able to obtain the accident report from your attorney, an insurance provider, or the police. They may have an online service where you can request an accident report.
If you discover that there are any errors on the report, act as quickly as you can. You could contact the responding officer and request that the officer amends the report. In most cases, the officer will not agree. However, you may be able to have your supporting evidence attached to the accident report.
When You Can't Change the Accident Report
While the accident report is important, it is not the only factor in your auto accident case. A personal injury law firm will rely on several other factors, such as witness statements, medical records, photos and videos from the scene, EDR information recorded from each vehicle, and the opinion of expert witnesses, such as accident reconstructionists.
Your personal injury attorney will gather evidence to prove that the other party is negligent and will then negotiate back and forth with the insurance provider until they offer a settlement that will cover your expenses.