If you get in a car accident and someone is seriously injured, it makes sense to call the police. But did you know that you should still call the police even in a minor collision?
No matter how severe your car accident, it’s important to get full, official documentation for your own protection. That means you have to call the police so they can about what happened.
Many people still hesitate to get the police involved, especially if the accident seems minor. Here are three reasons why you’re definitely going to want to make that call.
1. Protect Yourself from Lawsuits
Even if the damage done to your car is minor and there are no injuries, resist the temptation to just go your separate ways. You do not want to be surprised by a personal injury lawsuit a few days later. To protect yourself from a car accident lawsuit, make sure you call local law enforcement as soon as the accident occurs.
If there is a larger emergency going on, it’s possible that the police won’t come to the scene of your car accident if there are no major injuries. In this scenario, we recommend using your phone to take pictures of any car collision damage. Be sure to talk to any witnesses at the scene as well and take down their contact information in case you need them to testify during a personal injury lawsuit.
If you suspect the other driver might sue, call an as soon as possible. They will be able to advise you on what legal steps you can take to protect yourself from frivolous lawsuits.
2. File a Car Insurance Claim
If your car sustained significant damage, you’ll want to file a car insurance claim. However, car insurance companies require that you first file a police report. If you’re seeking compensation for a hard-to-prove injury like , your insurance company may be reluctant to cover your medical treatment. A knowledgeable auto accident lawyer can help you work with your insurance company so you can pay medical bills and other injury-related expenses.
3. File a Personal Injury Claim
If you’re injured in a car accident where you’re not at fault, you may be able to receive compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, and other damages by filing a personal injury claim. A police report is helpful to your claim because it counts as thorough documentation of the car accident from a reliable, neutral source.
Although a police report won’t definitively say who is at fault, it does serve as a major source of information for who could be at fault. That’s why it’s important to call the police as soon as you’ve been in a car accident. Police reports are useful for both you and your car accident lawyer in proving your case against a negligent driver.
Help from a Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyer
Attorney Jerry Beurkens fights aggressively for the rights of his clients so they can receive the compensation they deserve for their car accident injuries. If you need a Grand Rapids personal injury attorney, call Beurkens Law at (616) 459-5344 or contact us online.
This blog post has been updated.
