What Is the Role of a Police Report in a Florida Car Accident Case?
A car accident can cause a lot of damage to your life. After a Florida car accident, you may be left dealing with, among other things, vehicle repair costs, substantial medical expenses, lost wages, and severe pain and suffering. Fortunately, Florida law allows you to file a personal injury claim and recover compensation if another party’s negligence caused your car accident. However, recovering the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages can be challenging without accurate documentation or enough evidence.
In the unfortunate event that you are involved in a car accident, it is crucial that you obtain a police report. A police report can be a vital part of your personal injury claim. Below, we discuss some of the crucial roles a police report can play in your Florida car accident case.
#1: Determining Fault
One of the most crucial roles of a police report in a Florida car accident case is to help determine fault. After a police officer arrives at a car accident scene, they conduct a preliminary investigation to determine who or what caused the accident. They do this by analyzing the scene, assessing the evidence at the scene, and interviewing witnesses. The information in a police report, such as which laws were broken, and, by who, can help attorneys and insurance companies determine liability.
#2: Assessing Damages
Apart from information about who or what caused an accident, a police report can contain information about the damages suffered in the accident. For example, a police report can contain information about injuries and vehicle or property damages. Having accurate documentation of your damages is crucial as it can ensure you recover the full value of your claim.
#3: Providing Objectivity
Police reports are considered objective accounts of the accident, which in turn, makes them quite credible. Attorneys and insurance companies highly trust police reports because police officers are not biased toward any party in the accident. The information in a police report is based purely on an officer’s findings. A police officer compiles their report after conducting a thorough preliminary investigation.
#4: Proving Causation
Causation is one of the elements of negligence you must prove in your Florida car accident case before you can recover compensation. Causation generally refers to the relationship between your injury and the accident. Proving causation generally entails showing that the accident caused your injury. Obtaining a police report promptly after your car accident can help you prove causation. A police report will contain the date of your accident, which can help you prove that you suffered your injuries in the accident.
What if the Police Report Is Inaccurate?
It is crucial that you retain an attorney after a Florida car accident. An attorney can analyze the contents of the police report to determine if it is accurate. While it is uncommon for police reports to contain mistakes, it does happen. If the report is inaccurate, your attorney can help you correct it.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you’ve been involved in a Florida car accident because of another party’s negligence, our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you recover the compensation you deserve from the negligent party. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Orlando, Ocala, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, and Melbourne areas.
Source:
flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/crash-dashboard/
