Most people know what they are supposed to do after a car accident. You are supposed to pull over somewhere safe and call the police. But is it really necessary to get the police involved? Our Westchester County car accident attorneys recommend it though, and not just because you may be violating the law if you do not call the cops. A police report can actually be a useful piece of evidence if you end up pursuing damages later.

How Can a Police Report Help Me?

When police officers are called to the scene of an accident, they have to write up a report and say what happened. Now, it’s not going to always be immediately obvious what happened, but the cops can look out for specific evidence that can help in the reconstruction of the accident scene. They can spot debris that may have contributed to the accident, skid marks, or broken or hidden traffic signals or signs. The police report will also provide contact information for the other driver and any witnesses. This is info you should also collect yourself, but it can be easy to get overwhelmed after an accident and forget to take this step.

What’s good about the police report is that it is considered neutral. What the cop writes in there should not be peppered by any bias toward or against you or another involved driver. The police report can be taken seriously when someone wants to learn more about how an accident transpired.

Is it Mandatory to Call the Cops to the Scene and Get a Police Report?

It is also important to note that calling the cops to a car accident scene is a necessity when someone has been injured. Even if you do not think anyone is hurt, it is a good idea to call anyway. Adrenaline can sometimes mask pain and hide injuries.

Will the Police Blame One Party for an Accident?

In some cases, a cop can come to a conclusion when they evaluate an accident scene and say that one of the involved drivers was to blame. However, this usually only happens if one driver actually admits fault. If the police report from your accident scene does not take a side, do not worry. This is common, and it does not necessarily stop a police report from being useful when it is time to pursue compensation.

Should I Sue For Compensation After an Accident?

If you are injured in an accident, you can sue for compensation. We can help you fight for a fair offer that includes economic and non-economic damages, making up for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Loss of enjoyment
• Mental anguish
• Pain from disability or disfigurement

Contact Our Law Firm

So if you were injured in an accident and you believe that someone else was to blame, contact Hausman & Pendzick. We can schedule a free consultation and tell you more about what our attorneys can do to help you seek compensation.