A car crash can happen suddenly and cause serious injuries, which may impact your future. The first step to take after a crash is seeking medical attention, typically from first responders.
The next step should be reporting a Wilmington car accident to the police in order to document what happened. The responding officers can gather information for everyone involved and produce a report. This report can potentially serve as evidence in your claim for compensation, which an attorney at Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, & Bhaya can assist you with.
The Benefits of Reporting a Crash Promptly
Depending on the severity of the crash and its location, a bystander might call 911 to alert emergency services. However, a driver injured in a collision in a less populated area may need to call the police themselves.
In either case, a driver should wait for the police to arrive and make sure to explain to them what happened and how, with as much detail as possible. If witnesses have stayed at the scene, a driver should ask if they are willing to confirm what happened to the responding officers.
Ideally, the police will also be able to interview other drivers involved, including the driver who caused the crash, if present at the scene. A driver might have been intoxicated, fatigued, or distracted while operating the vehicle. A police report can record the officer’s impressions of the other drivers at the time of the crash. If a driver causes a collision and leaves, the police may be able to find them based on eyewitness statements and traffic camera surveillance footage.
If you report to the police, you may be able to obtain the police report, which provides additional evidence of the crash from immediately afterwards. Reporting the accident to Wilmington police or Delaware state troopers (as applicable) can help a car crash victim make their claim against the driver at fault.
Making a Claim Based on Car Crash Injuries
A legal claim for damages based on a car crash will require certain pieces of evidence in order to win compensation in court. Most injury claims involve the negligence of another person, meaning that someone had a legal duty of care, breached that duty, and as a result caused the plaintiff’s legal damages (such as medical costs, property damage, and pain and suffering).
A police report can be a good source of evidence for a crash because it can provide a clear picture of what happened as documented by an officer of the law. The report can usually be introduced into court, and the reporting officer may be brought in as well to testify to what they learned about the crash from witnesses.
Together with eyewitness accounts in court, a police report can bolster a plaintiff’s case and show that the defendant was at fault and should be found negligent. Insurance companies can also use the police report in addition to their own investigators to pay out benefits for medical bills and car damage, increasing the report’s value as a tool for showing what happened.
By reporting to Wilmington police, you and your attorney can more easily develop a claim based on a car crash and get the process started as soon as possible. If you do not file your claim within two years under 10 Delaware Code § 8119, you may risk losing the ability to get compensation at all.
Learn More About Reporting a Car Crash to the Police From a Wilmington Attorney
Your first response to a car crash will undoubtedly be shock and concern for your well-being. At the same time, you should not delay in reporting a Wilmington car accident to the police, as it can provide you with evidence for the crash that may be useful during the legal process.
With the aid of our lawyers at Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, & Bhaya, you can make a compensation claim based on a reported crash with more ease than if you did not call the police. To learn more about your possible claim and how to obtain a police report, contact our offices for a consultation.