If you or a loved one has been in an accident, it can be an overwhelming experience. While the police report may seem like the most reliable source of information, there are times when a police officer gets it wrong. From faulting you incorrectly to saying you were “not injured” when you were, here’s what those injured in an accident should consider if the police report isn’t accurate after an accident. If you have been injured in an accident and have to deal with an inaccurate police report, contact our personal injury attorneys today.
Common Mistakes in Reports
When someone is injured in an accident, the police report often contains important evidence. It is used by insurance companies and lawyers to either validate or discredit the merit of your claims. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for the report to be wrong in key areas. Two particularly worrying examples involve:
- The police have wrongfully held you accountable in their report. Although this is concerning, an experienced attorney can speak with other witnesses to verify your account or even arrange for an accident reconstruction specialist to demonstrate that the crash was not your fault.
- The police report may suggest that you weren’t hurt in the accident. Don’t be discouraged—this isn’t necessarily detrimental to your case. Even if the police didn’t notice any injuries, they are not medical professionals. As long as your doctor supports your claim of being hurt in the incident, the police report won’t prevent you from proving your injuries in court.
How People Can Protect Themselves
What’s in the police report matters, but it is far from being the be-all and end-all when it comes to your case. When investigating an accident, the police report is only one of many sources of information. To ensure accuracy and develop strong proof of the incident, you can take additional steps such as:
- Seek medical attention immediately. It is common for accident victims to hurt much worse several hours after the incident or even a day later. If you have any concerns that you have suffered an injury in the accident, seek immediate medical attention. This helps prevent the insurance company from arguing that your injuries are unrelated to the accident.
- Cooperate with the police, but don’t admit fault. Many accident victims don’t want to get the other driver in trouble, so they minimize the conduct of the other driver. Don’t do that. It is important to be accurate in your police report. You do not want to be blamed for the errors of the other driver.
- Request a copy of the report. You can contact the station either through its website or by phone. There is typically a nominal fee for this service; however, it’s worth it to thoroughly inspect the document and make sure there are no inaccuracies.
- Reach out to a lawyer who has successfully helped other accident victims. If you’re concerned by any inconsistencies or declarations in the report, consulting with an experienced attorney can save you hassle and time. Through discussing your worries with an attorney, you’ll be able to find out if these issues could lead to difficulties and precisely how to make sure they don’t negatively affect your claim for damages.
We Are Here For You
If you have been in an automobile collision and the official police report is wrong, it’s important to have a knowledgeable lawyer on your side. At Morefield Speicher Bachman, our lawyers offer free, private assessments to make sure you’re taking the proper steps with your injury case. Get in touch by calling us at (913) 839-2808.