A cop will file a police report any time they are called to an accident scene. If you decide to sue another driver for damages after an accident, you will actually be able to make use of that police report in your case. It is rarely a smoking gun, but it is a document that can be quite useful to our Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers when they are building a case for you.
What Info Does a Police Report Contain?
The police report will contain information about any involved drivers, their insurance info, and the contact information for any eyewitnesses. This is all useful to have, but the cops can also write down information about the collision and diagram the accident between all of the involved vehicles. The officer can mention weather conditions, road debris, or tire skid marks found at the scene. This can help reconstruct the accident scene and potentially assign blame to one of the other drivers.
Can a Police Report Be Used as Evidence in a Personal Injury Suit?
Because of this, the police report can actually be useful in a personal injury case. This is especially true if the report contains information about eyewitnesses. An accident can be a stressful experience, and many drivers do not think to talk to nearby witnesses and get their contact information. These witnesses can help with a personal injury case later though, so knowing how to contact them is incredibly useful.
What Other Evidence Can I Use to Build a Case?
There is plenty of other evidence that a lawyer can use to build your personal injury case. Your attorney can seek out surveillance footage of the accident itself. If there are photos of the accident scene and damage to the cars, that can be useful as well. If something can help you show that another driver was negligent and that they should be held responsible for your injuries, your attorney will make use of it.
What Should My Compensation Pay For?
When you are awarded compensation, it should not just pay for your medical expenses or the cost of repairs to your vehicle. A settlement also has to address the emotional and psychological toll that an accident can take on somebody. It should also be calculated with your future needs in mind. If your injuries will continue to affect you, that needs to be a consideration. All in all, fair compensation will help with:
- Medical bills
- Property damages
- Lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of earning potential
- Mental anguish
- Pain from disability or disfigurement
Schedule a Consultation
If you are ready to learn more about your legal options, contact Trombly & Singer, PLLC. We can schedule a consultation and answer any questions that you have about the legal process. We look forward to helping you and your loved ones in this trying time.
