Can a Police Report Help Prove Liability After an Accident?

Car accidents can be overwhelming and sometimes devastating. In many cases, when you get in an accident, the scene is so chaotic that it’s hard to process what’s happening and know what steps to take next.

If you get into a car accident—whether injured or not—and someone else was to blame, you’ll need all the evidence you can get to prove you aren’t at fault. Police reports provide a great deal of information about the accident, so they can be crucial for proving your innocence. Let’s dive deeper into how police reports can help prove liability after an accident.

Are Police Reports Required After an Accident?

A police report is required if there are any injuries or fatalities, and—depending on your state’s laws—if the damage appears to exceed $1,000.

What Information Will the Report Include?

Police reports contain all of the vital information about the crash, from the most basic to the minute details. The date, location, and time of the accident will be recorded. It will also include the name and information of each person who was involved as well as that of any witnesses at the scene.

Statements will be taken from each person involved—drivers, passengers, and any eyewitnesses who may have been at the site of the wreck. Additionally, if the responding officers have any opinions about what may have happened, that will also be included.

Detailed observations from the scene of the crash will be described in the report as well, such as the positioning of the vehicles or any apparent skid marks.

If any of the drivers involved received a ticket due to the crash, that will be noted. This could include speeding, reckless driving, or driving under the influence.

Police reports may include photos from the scene of the accident as well. The police who arrive at the crash should take their own photos for the report, but you may also choose to take some for your own records.

When Should You File a Police Report?

Having all of the available evidence is important in order to determine who the at-fault driver is. Because police reports require so much detailed information, filing one could play a huge role in helping to prove your case.

If you do get in a car accident and choose to file a report, it’s a good idea to do it as soon as possible. While any necessary medical attention should be your first priority, call the police as soon as you’re able to safely do so. Be sure to give them a clear and detailed report of what happened. The more information they have about the crash, the better.

If you were injured or believe you deserve compensation from an accident, be sure to have an experienced lawyer fighting in your corner. Police reports alone may not win your case for you, but the team at Michigan Car Accident Lawyer | Christensen Law can help give you the support you need.