Each driver involved in a car accident will have a version of the events leading up to the collision from their point of view. The primary significance of a police report is its objective collection of data and facts. When a car accident lawyer fights for damages on your behalf, this is often one of the first pieces of evidence they obtain.
Your car accident lawyer will use the report from law enforcement to establish the accident’s causes and contributing factors. It can also prove the date it occurred and prevent any distortion of facts when you seek financial compensation from the negligent party. Most car accident attorneys will collect evidence for you. While they investigate and prepare your case, you can focus on healing.
Your Police Report Provides an Objective Assessment of the Accident
The at-fault driver’s insurance company and your accident attorney serving Fort Myers will want a clear, unbiased view of the accident. Both will rely on the police report for this. It will contain:
- A narrative from the investigating officer
- Police-generated photos and details
- The accident’s date, time, and location
- Damage description for all involved vehicles
Your personal injury lawyer will order a copy of the accident report for your case file. You can also order one for your personal files, if you wish. The liable party’s insurance company will insist on receiving a crash report. Even if the accident seems minor at first, you should still insist on making a report.
Both Drivers’ Insurance Companies Will Require an Official Police Report
According to Florida Statutes § 316.065, a police report is mandatory if any of the following apply:
- Anyone in either car was injured
- Anyone in either car was fatally injured
- Either car sustained $500+ of readily apparent damage
The insurance company will use the police report to:
- Assess the extent of property damage
- Understand who is liable for the accident
- Define their policyholder’s responsibility
- Determine if other involved parties played a role in the crash
The insurance company will request a copy of the accident report whether you are relying on personal injury protection (PIP) insurance or filing a third-party insurance claim or lawsuit.
Your Police Crash Report Will Provide Your Legal Team With a Plethora of Information
The role of the police in car accident cases is manifold. Their reports aid in Fort Myers accident investigations, collect impartial data, and identify negligence. Your personal injury attorney will use the police report’s information to identify the at-fault driver and contact their insurance company.
Glean Crucial Contact Details for Drivers, Insurance Companies, and Witnesses
Police reports and car accidents should go hand-in-hand, since reports can garner details and information you might not think about in the heat of the moment or if your injuries are severe enough to require emergency medical intervention.
The report will contain details about:
- The at-fault driver
- Their insurance company
- Both cars’ make and model
- First harmful event
- Contributing circumstances
A police report can also protect you if the other driver fled the scene. It can also help if the other driver claims you caused the accident or claims more damage than there actually was.
The Date, Time, and Location Can Clarify the Statute of Limitations
The personal injury and wrongful death statutes of limitations are generally two years, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11. If the deadline expires, the court will not allow you to file your civil lawsuit.
Your police report will accurately note the accident date. A car accident lawyer can help you interpret the filing deadline since it can change based on your case’s circumstances.
A Description of the Accident Scene Can Identify a Negligent Municipality
A car accident can have multiple at-fault parties. If an involved vehicle had a manufacturing or design flaw that contributed to the accident, the maker of the car or its parts could be liable.
Similarly, if road or weather conditions were a factor in your accident, the police report will note them. Your car accident lawyer will use this information to seek compensation from the municipality responsible for maintaining the roadway.
Your Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Will Obtain Your Crash Report and Other Supporting Evidence
While critical, the police report is not the only evidence your auto accident injury lawyer will collect. Additional evidence in your case file may include:
- Medical records and bills that document your injuries, recovery, and ability to return to work
- Employment and salary history records that prove the value of your missed work
- Photos of your injuries, the crash scene, and both involved vehicles
- Witness statements, medical and economic expert testimonials, and accident scene reconstruction reports
Your legal team will gather and sort this evidence and provide it to the negligent driver and their insurance provider. Your attorney will also send a compensation request and start the negotiation process.
How Car Accident Reports Can Lead Your Case Toward a Fair Settlement
The injury claims process can be complicated. Your lawyer will carefully assess your recoverable damages and make a compensation demand. From there:
- If the insurer agrees with the amount you requested, they will send payment to your attorney. Your lawyer will deduct their agreed-upon fee and send you the remaining amount.
- If they disagree, settlement negotiations begin. Each side will make counteroffers until they reach an agreement. If that is impossible, your lawyer will take your case to court.
Evidence is assessed, and depositions may take place. Most automobile accident claims settle without going to court. This often happens when the accumulated evidence clearly indicates fault.
Get a Free Review of Your Traffic Accident Case
Evidence is an important part of your car accident case. Our personal injury law firm understands the significance of the police reports in settling your Fort Myers case out of court.
Contact our legal professionals at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato to learn more about building a strong evidence collection. Call (954) 633-8270 to get a free review of your case today.
