There are many important steps to take after a car accident that can increase your chance of compensation if you pursue a personal injury claim. One of these steps is contacting the police and filing a police report.
Report the accident while still at the scene. The police will want to interview everyone at the scene to complete their report. While it is important to cooperate with the police, knowing what to say and what to avoid saying makes a difference.
Your right to remain silent
Give the police your contact information, driver’s license and registration information. After this, you have a right to remain silent and not give the police any additional information. You can tell the police officers that you do not want to provide any further information at this time.
The police may try to use your silence to imply that you are guilty of causing the accident. But remember your right to not answer any questions.
If you do decide to speak with the police, provide them with an accurate account of what happened but stick to the facts. Do not apologize or say the accident was your fault.
Avoid small talk
Assume that everything you say is on record and will be part of the police report. This includes seemingly casual conversations or small talk with police officers or anyone else at the accident scene.
Any comments you make could be taken out of context or misinterpreted, such as a joke or sarcastic comment you make about your driving abilities.
Avoid speculating about what might have happened. This is natural after a stressful event but your speculation could be used against you in the future.
For example, if you are not sure what caused the accident, do not tell the police that you “might have been distracted.” Even if these statements turn out to be untrue, they will be in the police report and there is a good chance they will be used against you.
How to address your injuries
The police will likely ask if you are injured and ask you to describe your injuries. Do not say you are uninjured. Some injuries are not immediately apparent.
You may also be in shock and not realize you are injured or the extent of any injuries. If you do not feel like you are injured, say you do not know if you are injured.
If you know you are injured, carefully describe your injuries. Verify that everything you tell the officer about your injuries goes into the report.
After you are done speaking with the police, seek immediate medical attention, whether you have obvious injuries or not.
Obtain a copy of the police report
Review it to ensure the information is accurate. Police reports are often a vital piece of evidence in a personal injury case.
A car accident is often a terrifying and overwhelming experience. Feelings of shock, fear or anxiety may cause you to make statements that could negatively affect the outcome of a personal injury claim. Keeping these tips in mind can help ensure your rights are protected.
