A city known for its beautiful climate, San Diego is one place that people of all ages love. It has a plethora of attractions, like the famous San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, and LEGOLAND California.
As lovely as that all sounds, San Diego has an accident problem. In 2022, there were 17,851 accidents, of which 208 people lost their lives. San Diego also had the greatest number of distracted driving deaths (11) in 2020. These numbers make the roads of San Diego look like a nightmare to be on.
Fortunately, there’s help. Especially if you’re involved in a car accident. Hiring a car accident attorney in San Diego can help you recover the losses you have suffered due to the accident.
An attorney will use a number of methods to prove your car accident claim. But they need evidence.
One piece of evidence that is strong and considered by legal counsel and insurance companies is a police report.
What is a Police Report?
A police report is a legal document drafted by a police officer. The police department sends an officer when it receives an alert about an accident in its jurisdiction. This office is tasked with conducting an investigation at the accident scene.
Once this investigation is done, the officer will create a police report. The report, usually a written document, contains details like
- Details of the accident/incident
- Details of the people involved
- Details of the vehicles involved (if any)
- The statements of the people involved and the witnesses
- Details of the type and extent of the injuries suffered
- Details of the road and weather conditions
- The findings and impressions of the officer
The officer will share a receipt or a report retrieval number. You can use this number to receive a copy of the police report.
The Importance of a Police Report
A police report is the summary of an initial investigation conducted by the law department. As such, it holds ample weight, especially in out-of-court settlements.
Plus, the fact that it contains all the relevant details about the accident makes it a reliable source of information.
Insurance Companies Prefer Police Reports
All victims of car accidents file a claim with the insurance company. Once the company receives a claim, it will launch an investigation of its own through an insurance adjuster. The first thing an insurance adjuster asks for is the police report.
The insurance adjuster will treat the information available in the police report as valid evidence. However, there are instances that the adjuster may not consider certain facts in the police report if they contradict with their opinions.
Police Reports are Used as Evidence
You need evidence to prove your role in a car accident. And a police report is a valuable piece of evidence.
Since it contains all relevant information about the accident, including injuries, a police report is considered evidence.
But be warned. Some jurisdictions may dismiss a police report as hearsay evidence. Get in touch with your attorney to find out more.
A Police Report Alone isn’t Sufficient. You Need an Attorney As Well
As helpful as a police report is, you need an attorney as well.
Yes, you need a police report to strengthen your car accident claim. But you’ll also need the services of an attorney.
An attorney will provide all the legal assistance you need for a successful car accident claim. In addition to helping you calculate a fair compensation amount, an attorney will also assist in settlement negotiations.
Without an attorney, you will be scammed by the insurance adjuster into accepting a low offer. This offer will never be sufficient to compensate for all the losses you have suffered.
So make sure you get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible.
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