At Gallien Law, we understand the value of having an effective legal strategy.
Here is our Strategic Saturday tip for today:
🚓 Always Get a Police Report After an Accident
After a car accident, things can feel chaotic—but one of the most important steps you can take (after making sure everyone is safe) is calling the police and getting a report filed.
Here’s why that police report matters more than you might think—especially when it comes to protecting your rights and strengthening your case.
🧩 1. It Creates an Official Record of What Happened
A police report captures key details like the time, location, weather conditions, and initial observations. It may also include witness statements and diagrams—details that can fade or shift over time.
⚖️ 2. It Can Help Establish Liability
Officers may indicate who appears to be at fault, issue citations, or note any admissions made by drivers. While not legally conclusive, these details can help your attorney understand what happened and support your position with insurance adjusters.
📉 3. It Reduces the Risk of Conflicting Stories
Without a report, the other driver may change their version of events. A timely report helps lock in the facts—before memories blur or stories shift.
🛑 4. Insurance Companies Look for It
Most insurers rely on police reports to evaluate claims. A missing report may delay the process—or worse, weaken your negotiating power during settlement discussions.
📁 5. It Supports Your Legal Case
If your case moves into litigation, a police report shows you took proactive steps to document the incident. While police reports are usually not admissible in court, they can be a valuable tool for building your legal strategy.
Strategic Tip:
Even in minor accidents, ask law enforcement to respond. If officers can’t come to the scene, go to the nearest station or file a report online as soon as possible.
Note:
In some cities or when an accident occurs on private property, police may decline to create a report. If that happens, ask for a call log or service record confirming that officers responded. These documents can still be useful for proving the accident occurred.
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