MIAMI CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER EXPLAINS THE IMPORTANCE OF NOTIFYING THE POLICE AFTER AN ACCIDENT

In Miami, the car accident lawyers at the Perazzo Law Firm provide insight on why it’s important to notify the police following a traffic accident.

Following an incident that leads to a car crash, or one that involves motorcycles, cyclists, scooter operators, or pedestrians, contacting the authorities to report the accident is fundamental for determining fault for the accident. Determining liability for a crash is very important, not only for the owner of the vehicle or injured parties, but key for the success of a possible insurance claim to cover personal injuries or losses incurred.

The reasons why reporting the accident is fundamental for accident victims

Contacting the police after an accident establishes an official report of the accident scene which includes the following:

• The moment of the accident
• The place of the accident
• The cars involved
• The insurance information needed for a possible personal injury compensation claim
• The individuals involved in the accident, including passengers or other third parties
• The direction in which the vehicles involved were traveling
• The weather and road surface conditions
• The posted speed limits
• Citations issued (if applicable) by the reporting officer
• A diagram of the accident as it occurred and the direction the vehicles were travelling
• Helps establish fault and adds legal credibility
• Provides the basis for a successful personal injury insurance claim

All these reasons for making contact with the police following  an car crash are very important when an accident victim wishes  to obtain compensation for injuries, damages, or losses brought on  by motorist’s negligence. It’s common  for the driver that caused the accident to deny blame, especially for crashes that happen at or when attempting:

• Intersections
• Left-hand turns
• Yielding right of way
• Stop signs
• Driveways
• Parking lot exits
• Lane changes
• Green lights turning red
• Driving under the influence

The Miami car accident lawyer, Jonathan Perazzo, highlights that after the accident, drivers and passengers need to check for injuries and report them upon notifying the police. An ambulance should be requested in the event of serious personal injuries that include bleeding, extreme pain, loss of consciousness, or deployed airbags, which usually result in facial injuries or abrasions (see Airbag Accidents). When the police arrive, they will firstly ask if there are any injured parties. After that, they will request the driver’s licenses and insurance information of those involved in the accident. The officer will then inspect the scene of the accident and issue a citation if one of the motorists was evidently at fault. The final resting point of the vehicles and visible damages help determine fault, as well as testimony by passengers or any eyewitnesses (see What to do after an accident).

The police officer will then file the report and make it available to the accident victim’s insurance provider as well as the accident victim’s personal injury lawyer in the event the accident victim aims to seek compensation for injuries, damages, or losses stemming from the accident. The attorneys at the Perazzo Law Firm remind accident victims that insurance providers are in the business of making money and not paying out. Thus, hiring an experienced car accident lawyer is vital when taking on insurance companies, who have lawyers of their own looking for reasons to not pay accident victims what they deserve. Furthermore, accident victims must remember that insurance company have adjusters that will always try to minimize settlements and offer accident victims sums that may fall very short of covering medical expenses to treat injuries or financial losses incurred because of their client’s negligence. Thus, always seek advice from a professional and experience car accident lawyer that understands accident situations and the types of treatment required for injuries after an accident (see Types of injuries after a car accident).

How long does it take to obtain a police report?

Obtaining a police report after an accident can take as long as 30 to 60 days from the time it is requested and processed. A Personal Injury Lawyer can usually obtain a police report quicker for a fee. The police do not give them away for free. A copy of an motor vehicle accident report can be obtained from the police departments records division, though the option to receive the police report online, by post, or in person varies according to county.