How Do Police Officers Investigate Fatal Car Accidents?
If you lost a loved one in a preventable car accident, you have the right to hold the negligent party accountable for your financial and emotional losses through a wrongful death claim. A qualified attorney can help you file your wrongful death claim. A skilled wrongful death attorney can help you prove that the defendant’s negligence led to the car crash that resulted in the loss of your loved one.
To prove your case, your attorney will need evidence. And to obtain evidence, a thorough investigation of the accident must be conducted. While your attorney can conduct the investigation by themselves, they may rely on information gathered by the police. Information collected by the police can help your attorney build a strong case.
Below, we look at how police officers investigate fatal car accidents after they happen.
Observing the Accident Scene
After a fatal car accident occurs, the police will be called to the accident scene. According to Florida Statute 316.065, a driver who is involved in a car accident must report the accident to the police if the accident results in injury to or death of another person or property damage of at least $500. After a police officer arrives at an accident scene, they make an initial observation and try to assess how severely injured the involved parties are. They note where the accident happened, the location of any traffic signals or signs, and the accident type.
Interviewing Drivers and Witnesses
As part of the preliminary investigation, police officers collect personal details and interview everyone involved in the accident. They also gather personal details from anyone who saw the accident and interview them.
Documenting and Collecting Evidence
Documenting and collecting evidence begins immediately after the police arrive at the accident scene. The police take pictures and videos of the accident scene and collect any physical evidence they find at the scene. During the preliminary investigation, the police document crucial information, such as skid marks, the location of the victim’s body, and vehicle damage. Apart from pictures and videos, other forms of evidence that the police can collect include;
- Surveillance footage
- Driver and witness statements
Noting Conditions That May Have Led to the Accident
Another thing police officers do when investigating a fatal car accident is noting conditions that may have led to the accident. These conditions can include, among others, the following;
- Weather conditions
- Skid marks
- Traffic
- Alcohol or drugs
- Vehicle condition
- Speed
Preparing a Police Report
A crucial step of the investigation process is creating a police report. The following is some of the information you can find in a police report;
- The time and date of the crash
- The location of the accident
- Witness statements
- Statements from involved parties
- Names and other identifying information for involved parties and witnesses
- Conditions at the time of the accident, such as weather and road conditions
- Vehicle damage
- Diagram of the incident
Additionally, if a police officer is willing and able to assign fault at the accident scene, the police report may contain information on who the liable party is.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you’ve lost a loved one in a preventable car accident, our skilled Orlando personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm are here for you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Tampa, Fort Myers, Ocala, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Naples, Miami, and Melbourne areas.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.065.html
