Does a Police Report Say Who Was at Fault in Florida?
When a car accident happens in Florida, one of the first vital steps is to call the police. When the police arrive at the accident scene, they conduct a preliminary investigation and create a police report detailing the incident. Police reports can be vital in compensation claims. After a Florida car accident, one of the most crucial pieces of documentation to secure is the police report created by the police officer who responded to your accident. However, it is vital to note that a police report does not definitively assign fault. The report can include the officer’s opinion on what happened and who they believe caused the accident, but this report is not the final word on who is at fault. An officer’s opinion may be based on factors like witness statements, evidence at the accident scene, and citations. However, it is up to the insurance company, attorneys, and potentially the court to determine fault.
How Can a Police Report Help You?
While a police report does not explicitly assign fault, it can help in various ways following a car accident. The police report pertaining to your accident can provide an official record of the incident, including details like the location, date, and time of the accident. The police report identifies the parties involved, including drivers, passengers, and witnesses. In a police report, you will find information about the vehicles involved in the accident, including the make, model, and registration. Additionally, you can find witness statements in the police report, which can provide additional perspectives on the events leading up to the accident and help corroborate your story or challenge other accounts.
How To Obtain a Copy of a Police Report
The first step to obtaining a copy of the police report pertaining to your accident is contacting the agency that responded to your accident and requesting the report. If you are required to pay any fees, do so and then pick up the report in person or request delivery. This process can be complex for some people. Do not hesitate to seek legal help if you are having trouble obtaining the police report pertaining to your accident.
Once you have the police report, ensure you review it for completeness and accuracy. Police officers are human and can make mistakes. A qualified car accident attorney can help you review a police report and guide you on what to do if there are issues with the report.
It is vital to note that while obtaining a police report after a car accident is critical, it is not the only documentation you need for your compensation claim. Also, it is vital to note that in Florida, police reports cannot be submitted as evidence in court. Police reports are considered inadmissible in Florida courts because of the rule against hearsay evidence being submitted in court. Police reports are not among the exempted forms of hearsay. But, you can get the information in a police report into court by having the officer testify to what is in the report. Police reports are basically a starting point for tracking down other crucial pieces of evidence and witnesses to use in your case.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you’ve suffered injuries in a Florida car accident because of another party’s negligence and need help recovering the compensation you deserve, contact our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Ocala, West Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, Fort Myers, Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, Bradenton, Naples, and Melbourne areas.
