After you get into an accident, one of the first steps that you should take is to call the police to come to the scene. Even if nobody was hurt in the accident, having the police present can help in the process of exchanging information. The officers will also create a written accident report, which could be of great assistance should you choose to file a personal injury claim related to your accident.
The contents of a police report could include:
- Where and when the accident occurred
- A diagram of the accident scene and other available details about the accident
- Names and contact information of all parties and witnesses present at the scene, including the drivers and owners of each vehicle and owners of any property that may have been involved in the accident
- Description of the drivers, including license numbers, age and more
- A summary of all injuries suffered in the accident, and the facility where injured parties received medical attention
- The conditions of the road that day, including lighting and weather
- Damage sustained to each vehicle and to any properties in the area
- Detailed descriptions of all vehicles involved in the accident
You can get a copy of your police report from your law enforcement agency if you choose to file a personal injury lawsuit. The report can then be used as evidence to back up any claims that you make in court. Should you need the contact information for the officers or witnesses that were present to give additional testimony, the report will have that information.
If you need assistance obtaining a copy of your police accident report, contact the dedicated North Carolina car accident attorneys at the Lanier Law Group.