In its latest report, the Texas Department of Transportation reported 12,186 car crashes in 2018, with 14,937 people obtaining serious injuries. Given these alarming statistics, it is essential to understand fault and liability in an accident to facilitate fair compensation for those involved.
After an accident, it is best to remain on the scene until the police arrive, especially when you believe the other driver was responsible for the accident. The law enforcement officers will interview all parties involved and witnesses to compile the most accurate police report.
After an accident, insurance companies often look to determine the at-fault driver to help them decide who’s insurance is responsible for covering the damage. Although a police report is not mandatory to prove fault or liability in a car accident, having one can make the process easier. The following are the other benefits of a police report:
Although a police report is not the only tool used to determine a fault, the report gets it right about 80 percent of the time. However, there are few instances that a police report gets it wrong completely. A police report can get it wrong in a scenario where the injured person cannot speak for themselves because they were rushed to the hospital or, unfortunately, they succumbed to injuries.
In such a scenario, the police officer will only get one version of what happened. If you cannot rely completely on a police report to prove fault, contact Thompson Law immediately. We will send our own investigators and accident reconstruction experts to measure skid marks, take pictures and videos and interview crucial witnesses. These witnesses include other officers on the scene, ambulance personnel, and fire personnel.
Here are a few facts that you should know about a police report and how to make the most of them:
A little fact that most people don’t know is that police reports have unique service numbers assigned for a specific accident scene. Request this number from the responding officers. The number will be crucial when requesting a copy of police reports later. You should also get specific police jurisdiction details of the responding officers for easy follow-up.
The final assessment of fault is not usually made at the scene. Once a police report captures all details about drivers, witnesses, specific vehicle code violated, weather or road conditions, and mechanical failure, the officers will decide on fault before finalizing the report. This often takes five days to complete.
Police reports are public records. Once it is finalized, ensure you get a copy. You may pay a small processing fee for the copy. But Thompson Law will provide you with a free, no-obligation copy. Contact us today, and our experts will order your report and deliver it to you at no charge.
Once you get a copy of the police report, go through it with your attorney to determine whether all facts check out. Ensuring all the information is accurate is important at this stage. Some of the details to focus on include:
If you notice any errors in the police report, you can petition the police department to amend the report. Errors in police reports can be:
Determining fault in a car accident can be a complicated process. However, it is crucial to make such determinations for you to recover from your injuries and losses fully. Car crashes can result in severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI), dislocations or bone fractures, neck and spine injuries, and more.
Hiring Thompson Law’s accident and injury lawyers ensure you file a successful claim and get appropriate compensation. At Thompson Law, our initial consultation and case evaluation are free. Call 844-308-8180 or contact us online today for more details.
Thompson Law charges NO FEES unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We have put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements into our clients’ pockets.
Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get answers to your questions, and understand your legal options. State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.