Police reports are essential. They're the first stop in documenting what happened in a car crash, which is why you should always request one after an accident. If you've been involved in a car accident but have not talked to the police about it yet, read on for more information about why this is necessary and how to do it.
Why You Need to Talk to Police After a Car Crash
Police reports are required by law in most states. They're also required by insurance companies, courts, car rental companies, and banks—in fact, it's fair to say that very few entities will not require a police report after an accident. If no police report has been filed, these entities may have no idea how much damage was done or how many people were involved.
In addition to ensuring that everyone involved is appropriately insured (and compensated), this arrangement ensures that all parties get their due compensation so they can move on with their lives as quickly as possible and without having anything hanging over them regarding uncertainty about what will happen next.
Without a record of what happened at the scene of an accident and its aftermath (e.g., whether any injuries occurred), it would be difficult for anyone involved in such an incident later on down the road if questions arise about whether certain things were handled correctly at first glance.
The Consequences For A Police Report
The consequences of filing a police report are minimal. There is no fine for filing a non-injury accident report. You may face only consequences if you willfully submit a false police report.
Accidents happen, even when the parties involved cooperate by exchanging insurance information and contact information so that they can be in touch later on if necessary (which is often).
Request a Copy of Your Police Report
If you're involved in a car accident, you must know that you have options. You don't have to just let the police do their job and then move on from there. If you feel like there are questions that still need to be answered or they didn't consider everything, now is the time to speak up.
The first step is asking for a copy of your police report. This can be helpful in understanding what happened and why things went wrong during the crash, as well as how other drivers reacted before and after the collision (if they slowed down or stopped at all). It may also help you determine whether any witnesses saw helpful anything that wasn't recorded by officers on duty at the scene—like someone looking away from their phone while driving by instead of watching where they were going!
Do I Need All This Documentation?
Yes, you do need to file a report. In most states, it's the law. You'll also need to file a police report if:
you plan on making an insurance claim for damages from the accident (your insurer will ask for this documentation)
there are injuries involved in the crash
either vehicle is missing any parts that were essential for its operation before the crash (like headlights or mirrors)
That’s why you must talk to the police after a car crash. If you were involved in one and didn’t, it’s not too late. You can still file a report and get the ball rolling on your case.