Police Reports - San Francisco Bay Area Auto Accident Injury Law http://www.autoaccidentinjurylawyer.com/articles/police-reports/ en-us Copyright 2010 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:43:51 -0800 Mon, 03 May 2010 09:37:00 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Make Sure the Police Investigate the Accident Often times the party at fault will try to convince you that it will be better for both parties to handle this without any intervention from law enforcement or insurance companies.  While sometimes the police do not arrive immediatley, having the police immediately investigate the incident is almost always a huge advantage and security blanket for the victim of an accident.  The police will memorialize statements of the parties and percipient witnesses.  The report should contain all of the information you'll need to bring a claim or lawsuit including but not limited to the identity and contact information of the driver at fault, insurance information, witness statements, diagrams, and even opinions regarding what, if any, vehicle code sections were violated.  Good officers will take photographs, measure skid marks, and complete a thorough investigation that makes your life (and your lawyer's life) much easier down the line.  If you choose to refrain from making a police report, the party at fault may give you false contact information, disappear, deny the incident occurred, or shift the blame to you.

In sum, make sure the police immediately investigate the accident at the scene.  If they refuse, go to the local police station and make a report yourself.  They will assign it a case number and let you complete a "counter report" in the police station.

]]> http://www.autoaccidentinjurylawyer.com/2008/08/articles/police-reports/make-sure-the-police-investigate-the-accident/ http://www.autoaccidentinjurylawyer.com/2008/08/articles/police-reports/make-sure-the-police-investigate-the-accident/ Police Reports Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:43:51 -0800 Todd Emanuel 10 Things To Do After An Auto Accident
  • Evaluate your physical condition.
  • Make sure that police come to the scene.
  • Exchange important information with the other driver.
  • Seek all reasonable and necessary medical treatment.
  • Have photographs taken of your damaged vehicle and your injuries.
  • Do not speak with the other driver's insurance company.
  • Call a reputable attorney in your area who specializes in representing personal injury plaintiffs.
  • Keep a journal of pain and medical appointments.
  • Assemble essential documents to assist in the preparation of your case.
  • Keep track of wage loss and all other monetary losses.
    • ]]>     http://www.autoaccidentinjurylawyer.com/2008/08/articles/physical-injury/10-things-to-do-after-an-auto-accident/ http://www.autoaccidentinjurylawyer.com/2008/08/articles/physical-injury/10-things-to-do-after-an-auto-accident/ ArticlesInsurancePhysical InjuryPolice ReportsVehicle Damage Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:06:36 -0800 Todd Emanuel