It is always best to call the police to document an Arkansas car accident. Sometimes people simply exchange insurance information after an accident, but that can lead to delays. Insurance companies will always want to see an accident report before making any decisions regarding liability.
If there is no report of your Arkansas car accident, it will lead to more in-depth insurance investigations and often result in denials of liability. It is always best to get everyone’s statement at the time of the accident because memories fade and witnesses are no longer able to be found.
In regard to property damage, the investigating police officer will make an initial assessment. However, it’s impossible to detail the total damages without a thorough inspection from a body shop and sometimes even a mechanic. The average person can’t ensure how much it will cost to repair the car. As more and more cars are getting computerized, it’s tougher to know the expenses to fix the damages.
There is no hard and fast rule to determine if someone got injured in an Arkansas car accident based upon the damage that was done to the vehicles. If you are injured, it is best to document at the scene and undergo medical evaluation immediately.
It’s advisable to visit the hospital immediately if you feel severe injuries after a car accident. Sometimes adrenaline may mask your pain, and you will not go immediately to the hospital. Oftentimes, you feel stiff and sore later, and it is important to be seen by your treating physician for a complete check-up.
Considering the rate of injuries from auto accidents in the U.S., which is more than 2 million every year, it’s always best to call the police to make sure everything is documented.
The Police Report:
When you contact the police after your Arkansas car accident, the police will promptly report to the crash site. They will organize a detailed investigation regarding the case. Once they are finished with the investigation, they will organize their findings in a form of an official police report. The information in the report is of great importance, as it would address the following:
- A thorough description of the accident location
- An explanation of the road condition
- An overall snapshot of the accident site and the damage to the vehicles
- Information about the license and insurance of both the parties involved
- Assurance of whether either of the drivers was drunk or intoxicated at the time of the car crash
- Narratives of both the drivers regarding the crash
- The information from the eyewitnesses and their contact numbers
- Visuals of the scene or videos of the crash from intersection cameras installed nearby
All this information can only be collected by calling the police. An Arkansas car accident attorney in some situations may not be able to obtain this information on their own. Eyewitnesses are normally reluctant to talk to a lawyer, but they are willing to give statements to the police. Once the accident site is cleared, the majority of the evidence vanishes.
Can Either of the Parties Be Reluctant to Call the Police After an Arkansas Car Accident?
There could be few valid reasons why someone is reluctant to call the police. They may be in a hurry or may just want to stay out of the mess. They may be afraid of getting a ticket, or they may not have valid insurance. Some drivers might come up with other reasons they don’t want you to call the police after an Arkansas car accident. None of the reasons are good enough; it is always best to contact the police about the collision.
Schedule Your Consultation with an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Arkansas:
Anyone who gets involved in Arkansas’ car accidents should reach out to a competent car accident lawyer. You may be clueless about the insurance company’s response to the claims you make. This could lead to receiving less compensation and long delays. It’s better if you have an experienced car accident attorney in your arsenal to handle the situation in a better way.
If you are reluctant to call the police immediately after a car accident, you may not be able to obtain a police report. This report is the best source of information to make your case stronger with hard evidence. Not having a police report will only make the job harder for a lawyer.
If you have come across any such crash feel free to schedule an initial consultation with one of our lawyers. We have ample experience dealing with similar cases in the past and are well aware of how to deal with insurance companies.