You do not need a police report to file a car accident claim in Los Angeles, but having a report is going to be in your best interests. After an accident, you should always call the police to the scene to take statements and document evidence. A police report can be invaluable in building a strong case to support your compensation claim.
A police report can contain vital evidence supporting your claim and greatly improve your chances of recovering financial compensation. An experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer will secure a copy of the police report. They will then use this document to help prove the liability of another party for your damages.
A Police Report Is Not Required for Pursuing Compensation After a Car Accident in Los Angeles
While you should report your accident to the police after a serious collision in Los Angeles, you still have the right to pursue compensation even if a report was not filed. While not having an official police report of your accident can make it harder to recover compensation, it is still possible to build a strong case and secure the money you need and deserve.
There are various steps you can take to help improve your chances of a favorable outcome, even without a police report.
Collect Evidence at the Scene of the Accident
You should take photographs of everything at the scene of the accident, including the involved vehicles, any injuries you sustained, and the condition of the road. You should also make a note of important details, including the name of any other involved drivers, insurance information, and license plate numbers.
Speak to Any Potential Witnesses
Another important step to building a strong case involves speaking to any witnesses about what they saw. It is important to get their names and contact details so they can provide statements in support of your claim. Having neutral witnesses with no connection to any of the involved parties can go a long way toward building a strong claim.
Seek Medical Attention
It is important to seek medical attention immediately after your accident, even if you do not believe you were seriously injured. Not all injuries are immediately evident, and neglecting to pursue medical care can significantly damage your chances of recovering fair compensation.
Have paramedics check you out at the scene. Then, follow up with a visit to the hospital for further examination and testing.
Keep Records of Everything
Save all receipts and invoices for expenses related to your accident, including the cost of medical treatment and vehicle repair. Furthermore, keep a daily journal regarding how your injuries have impacted your day-to-day life.
Hire an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
The best thing you can do to improve your chances of getting the money you need after an accident is to hire an experienced car accident lawyer. Your attorney will be able to gather and analyze all the evidence in your case and build a strong compensation claim on your behalf.
Challenges Created by Not Having a Police Report of Your Car Accident in Los Angeles
While not having a police report of your car accident is not required for filing a claim in Los Angeles, it can create challenges to obtaining compensation. There are a variety of ways in which not having a report of your accident can negatively impact your chances of getting the money you need and deserve.
No Impartial Third-Party Account
The police officers reporting to the scene of your accident provide an impartial account of the events that caused the crash, which can be critical for lending credibility to your claim. Without an official police report, the only third-party accounts of the event may be by unreliable eyewitnesses.
Disputes Regarding Liability
Without a police report providing a neutral perspective of your accident, you could find yourself in a situation where it is your word against that of the other involved party. Evidence available after your accident may not be sufficient as proof of liability.
Insurance Claim Denial
Insurance companies are always looking for reasons to deny claims, and the lack of a police report supporting your side of the story may be enough for them to reject your valid claim. Without a police report, you will need to gather other sufficient evidence that proves you are owed compensation for your losses.
(310) 526-8383Reporting Your Car Accident to the Police Is Often Required by Law in Los Angeles
Under the California Vehicle Code, drivers are required to report any car accident to the local authorities within 24 hours of the crash if the accident resulted in any of the following:
- Vehicle or property damage exceeding $1,000
- An injury
- Death
Failure to report an accident within 24 hours could result in the revocation of your driving privileges. Furthermore, depending on the circumstances, you could also be charged with a hit-and-run.
Secure the Services of a Knowledgeable Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
Whether or not you filed a police report after your accident, you should seek out the services of an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer who can help you build a strong case to recover compensation. At Omega Law Group, we have decades of experience and have helped injury victims recover millions of dollars in damages.
You can contact us by calling or completing our online contact form. Schedule your free case evaluation with a member of our legal team today.
