Have you or someone you love been involved in a serious car crash or automobile collision? It’s an upsetting experience, to say the least, but it’s crucial to take some essential steps to protect yourself and your interests.
The Marc Lopez Law Firm often receives calls from individuals in similar situations, and one piece of advice that always applies is the importance of filing a police report. It may seem like a hassle, but it’s a very important step that can significantly affect your case.
Why a Police Report Matters
You might be wondering why a police report is such a big deal. You might even consider it a risky proposition to contact the police. After all, isn’t it best to plead the Fifth?
In many situations, you’re right to be wary of police. Following a car crash, however, it’s important to make an exception. If the other driver involved in the collision assures you that they have excellent insurance, it might be tempting to skip the police report and simply exchange information. This is a terrible idea, and here’s why.
Even if you’re the kindest, most upstanding person in your community, actively involved in charity work, and a regular attendee at your local church, failing to call the police looks suspicious.
When a jury or an insurance adjuster sees that there’s no police report, their minds can start racing with doubts and imagining scenarios where you’d want to avoid contact with the police. It might sound unfair, but that’s how it works.
Not calling the police might lead people to make assumptions, and these assumptions are rarely flattering. Were you intoxicated? Were you engaged in some other type of shady activity? What were you trying to hide? It doesn’t matter if these things are true or not. The mere absence of a police report can create doubt, and that doubt can significantly hurt your case.
Following a car crash, it’s very important to call the police. That’s not to say you need to wait hours for them to arrive, especially if it’s a minor collision with no injuries. In that case, however, there should be a record showing that you attempted to contact law enforcement, even if it was just for the purpose of gathering information. Anything less than that can raise eyebrows in such a way as to potentially diminish the value of your claim.
When to Call 9-1-1
This, of course, does not mean you need to call 9-1-1 for every fender bender. Of course not, but if you or anyone else is injured, you should call 9-1-1 immediately. That’s what emergency services are there for—to respond swiftly to injured people and life-threatening situations.
But what if there’s only property damage and no injuries? In that case, you can reach out to the non-emergency dispatch number to report the crash and request that an officer be sent to the scene. Remember, even if it’s just a case of property damage, failing to involve the police might cause the insurance adjuster to question the legitimacy of your claim.
To maximize your chances of a fair settlement after a car crash, it’s important to get that police report filed. It’s not just a matter of covering your bases; it’s a proactive step that can protect your rights and ensure that you’re treated fairly in the claims process. This is one time when you definitely want to speak to the police.
Make the Right Call
If you have any questions about your crash, you should speak to an experienced Indiana injury lawyer. Give us a call at 317-632-3642, and let the Marc Lopez Law Firm turn your frustration into compensation.
