Should I file a Police Report if I am Injured Due to Someone Else

You do not need to file a police report after a car accident, but it’s a good idea. The purpose of a police report is to document the accident. Without it, it’s harder to prove that an accident even happened. If you didn’t file a police report, don’t worry. You can still get money for your injuries.

Remember that once you file a lawsuit, you will be going up against an insurance company that will do everything possible to avoid paying you. Filing a police report for a NY car accident case is a small way to provide ammunition against the unscrupulous practices of the car insurance industry. Having a police report proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that the accident did, in fact, take place.

Can a Police Report be Useful in My Personal Injury Case?

The police report, along with photos of property damage, is also useful for proving that the accident happened the way that you claim. If you claim to have been rear ended for example, and the police report and accident photos corroborate this, it will be very helpful in convincing a claims adjuster to settle your case, and/or in convincing a jury to award you fair and just compensation.

Real World Situations Were a Police Report Can Make or Break a Personal Injury Case

Imagine you’ve been in a car accident. You and the driver of the other vehicle exit your vehicles and speak to each other. Everyone seems ok. You both decide to call 911 so that you can make a police report. As there are no obvious serious injuries or emergencies, i.e., no one is bleeding, no one is trapped, etc., the police dispatcher says an officer will be there “shortly.” You wait. And wait. And wait.

After an hour, you both decide to leave. You have the other driver’s info. You don’t feel injured. Why would you need a report?

This is a very common scenario.

Then, a few days later that stiffness and soreness in your neck begins to morph into something much worse: pain. The pain gets worse and worse. Before you know it, you can barely move. You realize you’re your injuries are much more serious than you initially thought.

Can You Still Get Money For Your Injuries Even if You Don’t File a Police Report

Yes, you can still have a case. Your accident and injuries can be documented and proven in other ways: photos of the property damage, your medical records, and the insurance records from the other driver.

So, even if you don’t have a police report, the best thing you can do for your case is to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer today.