If you’re hurt in a car accident, it’s important to start gathering information as soon as possible.
That’s because car accident claims aren’t just about the truth: they’re about the evidence.
If you bring a claim for damages, the law calls you a “plaintiff” and the person who hurt you is the “defendant.”
The plaintiff always has the burden of proof for their injuries, meaning you have to prove what happened, who was at fault, and what the incident did to hurt you.
The #1 piece of evidence for a car accident is the police report.
Not everything in a police report can be considered in court, but it is ALL considered when negotiating with the insurance company.
The police report contains tons of information, including the name and address of the defendant, who their insurance company is, what the road conditions were like, whether any witnesses gave the investigating officer their contact information, and what the officer determined about who caused the accident. This is all crucial information to evaluating your claim and moving it forward.
If you’re in a collision and you’re injured or your car has visible damage, you should contact the police and get a report done. Many people decide that, “the other driver seemed so honest.” But you aren’t dealing with just them: you’re dealing with the insurance company. The lack of a police report tells the insurance company that critical evidence is probably already lost, meaning it will be hard for you to prove your case. That’s why a police report is so critical.
At the Miller Law Group, we know how to obtain police reports, how to read and interpret them, and what to tell you if there’s a problem. Just allowing us to review a police report can save you quite a bit of time and potentially money as well.
Call us today at 919-348-4361 or contact us by clicking here for a free consultation.
