The Importance of a Police Report in an Accident Case

Determining liability in a personal injury accident case is quite complex and never a simple process. In order for your personal injury lawyer to determine liability, he or she must gather relevant evidence that must prove the other party is at fault. There are so many crucial pieces of evidence that your lawyer must gather, such as witness statements, surveillance footage, photographs of the damage, injuries, and accident scene, the police report, and much more. In this blog, we will be discussing the importance of police reports in a personal injury case and how it can be helpful to your case.

What is a Police Report?

After an accident, one of the first things that you should do is call 911 if anyone has been injured. The dispatcher will send an ambulance to provide medical care for anyone who has been injured, as well as a police officer to evaluate the circumstances of the accident and file a police report that provides a summary of the accident.

In minor accidents without injuries, sometimes a police officer will not arrive at the scene so you will need to file a police report by going to the nearest police station. You can also call the non-emergency number to learn how to proceed in order to file a police report. 

Police reports are extremely important, as it includes crucial information regarding the accident. Police reports include information such as:

• The time and place of the accident
• The parties involved in the accident
• Statements from the parties involved, as well as any witnesses
• Contact information of the witnesses
• Details of the accident
• Weather conditions
• Details of property damage and injuries
• Citations given, if any
• The officer’s findings and opinion of what led up to the accident and more

If you have been involved in an accident and have filed a police report, be sure to obtain a copy of the police report for your evidence and call a personal injury lawyer in Manhattan Beach to learn your next steps.

At Sullivan & Sullivan, our team has extensive experience successfully representing accident victims and are here to provide you with the legal representation and guidance you need and deserve. To speak with a trusted personal injury attorney in Manhattan Beach, contact us today for a free consultation!