Will the Police Always Make a Report After a Crash?
You would think the answer is always yes, but you would be wrong.
After a crash with a truck, car, motorcycle or other vehicle, the investigating police officers do not always make out a thorough report. In cases in which the apparent damage to the vehicle is minimal, the investigating officer is less inclined to spend the time filling out a lot of paperwork.
Likewise, if the occupants of the minivan, truck, car or other vehicle tell the police they are uninjured and decline an ambulance, the officers on the scene may again not fill out a report.
In fact, the Abrams Landau law firm in Herndon Virginia frequently sees cases of significant injury where the innocent victims declined medical attention at the scene, only to require an emergency room or hospital visit within the next 24 to 48 hours.
The difficulty is, without an official investigation report, the facts can become forgotten over time and the unsafe driver responsible for the crash can change his or her story with seeming impunity.
Also, the police officers do not typically use mirrors to look underneath a vehicle to inspect for damage to the frame, nor do they have the time to take apart the vehicle to see interior cracks, leaks or other problems which require service after an impact.
That is why it is so important to get a full and complete police report at the scene, if possible.
If not, then lawyer Doug Landau recommends obtaining photographs (even from your cell phone), a brief recitation of the “who, what, where, how, when, and why”, any relevant measurements, and an exchange of information with the other driver. Having this information can go along way towards preventing later headaches in a car crash accident case.
Landau also recommends after a car crash you and your love ones get thoroughly checked out by a qualified medical professional. After your health situation has been secured, then you should contact experienced legal counsel.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a motor vehicle accident and there are questions as to what laws apply, email or call Abrams Landau, Ltd. at once (703-796-9555).