Here’s Why You Need a Police report When Involved in a Car Accident
Photo by Matt Popovich on Unsplash
Driving is up there amongst the most hazardous day-to-day activities. There are more vehicles on the road than ever before which creates an increased risk of accidents every time we get behind the wheel. It’s wise to practice good driving habits to reduce the chance of being involved in a collision. However, even the best driver in the world can’t control the actions of others, so what should you do if you are involved in an accident? If you have a crash in your vehicle, you must call the police and report the incident. Listed down below are the important reasons that will compel you to call on the authorities when you are involved in this kind of incident.
It’s the law
The most obvious reason for calling the police is that in some places, it’s illegal not to. Although laws differ between country and state generally, you have to report the incident within 24 hours. If the accident is serious and there are injured parties, or the accident has caused traffic congestion, the police need to be on the scene immediately. Any delay in reporting may result in prosecution for failing to report the accident, so prompt action is wise.
Insurance purposes
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
It’s a legal requirement to have an adequate insurance policy for your car. Insurance is what kicks in at times like this, so It’s crucial you swap details with all parties involved. If you are involved in an accident with someone who has no insurance, it’s even more important to file a police report; the police will take all the information from you and any witnesses. They will then investigate the driver with no insurance, and they will likely get prosecuted.
It’s useful to bear in mind that even if the accident is minor, many insurances won’t pay out if there is no police report. An accurate report will ensure that all parties are protected, and an insurance claim will be quicker and simpler. If there is any problem with a claim, the police can back you up if need be. Insurance companies are unlikely to pay out if they only have your word for any ambiguities.
The police are trained at collecting all the relevant information at the scene of a crash. The officers will ask questions of all drivers to establish who was at fault. They will take photos, measure distances and gather all the evidence required to piece together what happened. If it seems that a driver is drunk or under the influence of drugs, they will order them to take a breathalyzer test and may even arrest them; this will also be included in the report.
The police will interview witnesses to get a picture of what led up to the accident. They will take into consideration the weather conditions and the roadworthiness of all the cars involved. The information helps them establish if the accident was due to bad weather or a fault with the car.
When you are involved in an accident, it’s difficult to stay rational and keep calm as you will likely be experiencing some shock, depending on the severity of the accident. The police will calmly take control and deal with everything that needs to be done. They will advise you of the next step and provide you with the contacts required if the incident is to be taken any further. Sometimes injuries can show up after a collision, so ensuring the police attend the scene will help you recover faster. The police report will also support your evidence if you want to make a personal injury claim. If a claim goes to court, judges will allow the use of the police report in explaining what happened, so be sure to request and access it beforehand.
Traffic congestion
When a collision happens, even if it’s minor, it can cause a lot of disruption on the roads. Being involved in an accident is stressful enough without dealing with angry drivers trying to get past. As soon as the police arrive, they can deal with traffic and create a diversion to reroute drivers. People are much more likely to comply if the authorities are there to direct them.
No one likes to think about the possibility of a car collision. But it is a genuine risk in today’s world. Thankfully there are procedures and policies there to protect us, and it’s important we follow the rules if we’re unlucky enough to be in a crash. Be prepared, and you’ll know exactly what to do if it happens to you. Happy motoring!
