People can sometimes assume that it’s not necessary to file a police report after a car accident, especially if they have been involved in a relatively minor car accident. However, police reports are not only key pieces of evidence in a car accident claim, but are often legally required. In New Hampshire, any motor vehicle accident resulting in personal injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 must report the accident to law enforcement within 15 days.
Most people don’t know the ins and outs of personal injury law. They don’t leave their homes expecting to get into a car accident, so why should they worry about it? Unfortunately, that means that in the event of an accident, you may not be entirely sure what the next steps are. At Kenison Law Office, we are here to help you every step of the way, ensuring that your right to compensation is protected.
3 Reasons Why You Need a Police Report After a Car Accident
As mentioned above, in New Hampshire, an accident resulting in personal injury, death, or property damage of over $1,000 must be reported to law enforcement within 15 days of the date of the accident. If the accident you were in was serious enough that you’re legally required to file a police report, you’ve likely suffered some type of loss, whether physical, financial, or both.
If the losses you’ve suffered were the result of another party’s careless actions, you might be able to recover financial compensation through a personal injury claim. Filing a police report is necessary not only to abide by the law, but because it plays a critical role in personal injury claims. A police report is necessary for a car accident claim because:
1. It Provides Accurate and Impartial Documentation of the Accident
Police reports contain key information about the accident that is unbiased to you or the other driver. It is law enforcement’s viewpoint of the accident, containing information like:
- The precise location of the car accident
- Date and time the accident occurred
- Damage to the vehicles and other property
- Injuries sustained by drivers and others involved
- Statements and identifying information of witnesses
- Driver’s statements on their perspective of the accident
- Environmental information from the time of the accident
Having a police report in evidence for your claim can vastly improve your chances of successfully obtaining the compensation you deserve.
2. It Helps Prove Fault
Many car accident claims can turn into a he-said-she-said cycle, but a police report provides the responding officer’s assessment of the scene, and their determination of which driver is at-fault for the accident. The witness statements they document can also be a huge help in filling in the details that witnesses may have forgotten over time as the claim unfolds.
3. Insurance Companies Ask for a Copy of the Policy Report
After a car accident, once a claim is filed, one of the first things an insurance company will ask for is the police report. This information is helpful to them because, as mentioned above, it contains key information. However, it’s important to remember that insurance companies will often twist facts in their favor, which is why it’s vital that you obtain your own copy of the report to ensure the facts as presented as detailed by the responding officer.
Recover Fair Compensation by Contacting Kenison Law Office
At Kenison Law Office, our experienced personal injury lawyers are dedicated to protecting our client’s rights. Being faced with severe injuries and property losses after a car accident can be incredibly challenging, and our team is proud to provide the legal support and services that get you through the process and towards a favorable outcome. Contact our firm today to start building a strong claim and recover the compensation you deserve. You can call 603-471-3550 or fill out our contact form.