{"id":19497,"date":"2022-10-20T15:22:40","date_gmt":"2022-10-20T19:22:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sinklaw.com\/?page_id=19497"},"modified":"2024-01-18T11:49:46","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T16:49:46","slug":"should-i-call-the-police-when-i-am-involved-in-car-crash","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sinklaw.com\/faqs\/should-i-call-the-police-when-i-am-involved-in-car-crash\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Call the Police When I Am Involved in a Car Crash?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should call the police when you are involved in a car crash, especially if it caused injuries or significant property damage. A police officer can:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensure that everyone at the scene, including you, is safe and gets necessary medical care<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preserve any evidence at the accident scene<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speak with witnesses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a comprehensive report of the accident<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notify other emergency responders of the accident<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some cases, you may be required by law to call the police. However, doing so can be beneficial for your potential car accident claim, even if you think the crash is minor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Risks of Failing to Call the Police After a Car Crash<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You take several risks if you fail to call the police after an accident. For example, failure to notify law enforcement may:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Limit Documentation of Your Accident<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A police report is a crucial form of evidence in a car accident case. Whether you\u2019re filing an insurance claim or lawsuit, a police report provides:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Official documentation that your accident happened<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An unbiased record of events<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t call the police when you\u2019re involved in a car crash, you\u2019re willingly forgoing this key piece of evidence. Without a police report, liable parties may contest your version of events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Make You Appear Negligent<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fair or not, your failure to call law enforcement may create a perception of negligence. Insurers may wonder why you don\u2019t have this document to support your claim for damages, making it more difficult for you to secure compensation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Expose You to Criminal Sanctions<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some states require you to call the police for accidents that cause:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bodily injury or death<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A certain dollar amount of property damage<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is not always clear whether someone is injured after an accident. It may also be unclear how much property damage will cost. Therefore, the safe move is to call law enforcement. Doing so will shield you from any allegations that you failed to report your accident.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Does Law Enforcement Always Come to an Accident Scene?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Police officers and emergency medical services should generally go to an accident scene when called. However, there are always exceptions to best practices. If a law enforcement agency does not come to the scene in a reasonable timeframe\u2014or at all\u2014then you must act accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you do not have the benefit of police at your scene, then you must:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obtain the other drivers\u2019 personal and insurance information<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses at the scene<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gather any evidence that is immediately available to you<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Act cautiously in all respects<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may wait near the scene, call law enforcement again to monitor their response, and call an attorney for additional protection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Additional Steps to Take After Your Accident<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have notified the police of your accident, your next call may be to a law firm. A lawyer can protect and advise you after your collision.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, just after your accident, an attorney can:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Protect you from actions that could harm your case<\/b>: <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accident victims sometimes have understandable but self-sabotaging impulses. For instance, you may be inclined to apologize to others involved in your accident. A lawyer will advise you <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to apologize and to refrain from other acts that could harm your case.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Help you get medical care<\/b>: <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your attorney can ensure that you receive medical care soon after your accident. They will also document any care that you receive.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Document your accident<\/b>: <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lawyer will move quickly to obtain and preserve evidence, which may include identifying witnesses and collecting their accounts. Your attorney will seek the clearest possible picture of how your accident happened.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Deal with insurance companies<\/b>: <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may need to contact insurance companies after a collision. Your attorney can deal with insurers on your behalf so that your rights remain intact.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After gathering relevant facts and evidence, your lawyer will develop a plan for your case. Their plan may involve an insurance claim or more significant actions like a lawsuit.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Recoverable Damages in a Car Accident Case<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Victims of car accidents can seek compensation for their losses. If you\u2019ve been injured or lost a loved one in a motor vehicle crash, your recoverable losses may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical expenses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lost income<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lost earning power<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain and suffering<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rehabilitation\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Temporary transportation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vehicle repairs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repair or replacement of other personal property<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lost quality of life<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All other accident-related damages<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insurance does not always cover a victim\u2019s losses. Instead, you may decide to file a lawsuit to seek additional damages. An attorney can help you decide which action is best for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Call George Sink Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call our firm as soon as possible after a car crash. Our team will act quickly to investigate your accident and file your case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call George Sink Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. We have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sinklaw.com\/results\/\n\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a track record of success<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in car accident cases. We will fight for your financial recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You should call the police when you are involved in a car crash, especially if it caused injuries or significant property damage. A police officer can: Ensure that everyone at the scene, including you, is safe and gets necessary medical care Preserve any evidence at the accident scene Speak with witnesses Create a comprehensive report&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":19498,"parent":6589,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-19497","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n<title>When to Call Police After a Car Crash | George Sink<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You should call the police after a car crash that results in injuries or significant property damage. 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