As a Bentonville car accident lawyer will tell you, most car accidents are relatively minor. Sure, the ones you see on the 6 o’clock news aren’t minor. They only highlight the accidents that involve fatalities or a tractor trailer. The more cars involved in the crash, the more attention it will get from the media. Thankfully, if you get into a car accident, it will likely be minor.
You may get rear-ended by someone at a red light. Or, you could get sideswiped while waiting to pull out of a parking spot. While these accidents can cause significant damage to your vehicle, you’ll probably walk away with just some bumps and bruises. The biggest bruise may be to your ego.
Even in a minor car crash, however, you need to call the police. No matter how minor your injuries, you’re going to need the cops to come and complete their investigation. They’ll check to make sure nobody is seriously injured. They’ll also check to make sure neither of the drivers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Once they complete their investigation, they’ll prepare their accident report.
The truth is, without a police report, it’ll be very hard to prove your car accident claim. Your Bentonville car accident lawyer is going to need all the help they can get to prove your case. In order to get you the compensation you deserve, your lawyer will have to prove two things. First, they need to prove that the other driver was at fault. Second, they need to prove that you actually suffered damages. In order to do this, they need evidence.
To ensure that your claim is handled properly from the start, it’s a good idea to call and talk to an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
What Information is Contained in the Police Report?
The police report has information in it that you just can’t get any other way. And, even if your Bentonville car accident lawyer can get the information, it’ll take a lot of time and a lot of money. There’s no need for this. As long as you call the cops after your crash, you’ll get the report you need to prove the other driver was at fault.
Some of the information contained in the police report includes:
- The name and contact information for the drivers
- License and insurance information for both drivers
- A description of the accident scene and road conditions
- Notations about any tickets issued at the scene
- Pictures and videos of the accident scene
- Description of the damage caused to the vehicles
- Contact information for any witnesses
- Statements from the drivers and the witnesses
One other important thing the officer will do is check to see if either of the drivers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If they are, the cop will arrest them and charge them with DUI. Your Bentonville car accident lawyer will be able to use this to prove that the other driver was drinking and driving. This will go a long way toward proving fault.
Can’t Your Bentonville Car Accident Lawyer Prove Your Case Without the Report?
If you don’t have the police report, your lawyer may still be able to get this information. But they may have to hire professional investigators to do this. P.I.s are expensive. This is money that will come out of your car accident settlement. There’s no reason to do that if you have the police report.
There is also information that your lawyer won’t be able to get. For example, there’s no way to track witnesses down if you don’t have their name, address and phone number. And, once the other driver takes off, there’s nothing you can if they gave you fake insurance information.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Bentonville, Arkansas Right Away
If you’re injured in a car accident, you need to contact an experienced Bentonville lawyer right away. If the insurance company denies your claim, you’re going to have to file a car accident lawsuit. This means your Bentonville car accident lawyer will have to prove the other driver was at fault.
To do this, your lawyer will need as much evidence as possible. The best source of evidence is the police report. If you don’t call the cops after your crash, you won’t have a police report. There is information in that report that your car accident lawyer in Bentonville won’t be able to get on their own. And, even if they can, it’ll be time consuming and expensive.
Don’t make your lawyer’s job any harder than it already is. Call the police immediately after your car accident in Arkansas. This way, they can do their investigation and prepare the police report you’ll desperately need to get the compensation you deserve.