Articles, Car Accidents

The short answer is yes. While having a police report is incredibly helpful for your car accident claim, you can still pursue compensation for a minor car accident even if you didn’t call the police at the time. However, there are many reasons why obtaining a police report can help your car accident attorney build a solid case.

At RVA Trial Lawyers, our attorneys understand the importance of police reports and what they can do for your accident claim in Virginia. Continue reading to learn the ins and outs of car accident reports, including what they are, what’s in them, and how your attorney can help you seek maximum compensation for any injuries you’ve suffered at the hands of a negligent driver. 

If you have suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligence, we are here to help. Sharif Gray has won millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Call us at (804) 915-1611 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We will get justice for you. 

What Information Does a Virginia Police Accident Report Include?

A police report from a car accident typically includes crucial details that strengthen your claim:

• Date, time, and location of the accident
• Names and contact information of all parties involved
• Property damage and details of the injuries sustained 
• Third party witness statements
• The assessment of fault provided by the on-scene police officer
• Notes on weather conditions, traffic cameras, skid marks, etc.

Obtaining a report from a police department is one of the first steps you should take after the accident occurs. Otherwise, it can make it challenging (but not impossible) to seek compensation for any injuries you’ve sustained. 

Is It Required to Obtain a Police Report For All Accidents?

Technically, you don’t need a police report for all minor crashes. However, Virginia law requires drivers to report car accidents to the police if they result in:

• Injuries
• Death
• Property damages exceeding $1500

Getting an accident report as soon as possible is essential because even a minor auto accident can escalate, with injuries appearing later or disagreements arising with the other driver. Further, it can be incredibly helpful in terms of building a solid insurance claim and seeking fair compensation for your injuries. 

What’s The Best Way to Get a Police Report?

Generally, the most efficient way to get a police report is at the scene of the accident. That way, the details are still fresh when the report is made. However, if the police were not called to the accident scene, you can usually file a report later at the local police station or request it online. 

Though, it’s important to note that time is not your friend – As some reports are only available for a limited period of time. 

How Can a Police Report Help Me Win My Case?

If you’re thinking about pursuing a car accident case against fault parties, most car accident attorneys would recommend you call the police while you’re still on the scene and obtain a report, even if you were only involved in a minor crash. 

Generally, this report can help with: 

• Proving Liability: Police reports provide an official account of the accident, often including the officer’s opinion on who was at fault. This can be crucial in negotiations with the other driver’s insurance.
• Insurance Claims: Most insurance claims require documentation like a police report to process your claim smoothly.
• Evidence: Even without assigning clear fault, the report’s details about the accident scene and property damages can bolster your case in conjunction with photos you took.

Should I Still File a Claim Without a Police Report?

Absolutely yes, especially if you have injuries, significant property damage, or anticipate disputes with the other party.  Here’s why:

• Injuries can appear later: Don’t dismiss a seemingly minor accident. Injuries like whiplash can manifest hours or days later.
• Disagreements happen: The other driver could tell their insurance company different versions of events.
• Collecting Evidence: The sooner you act, the easier it is to gather your own evidence (photos, video recording, medical records, witness statements) to build a strong personal injury claim.

While you don’t “need” to file a police report to prove liability, it can certainly help to convince the insurance provider about your injuries as well as the other driver’s fault (depending on what’s in the report). 

Contact An Experienced Attorney Today

While a police report is always ideal after car accidents, don’t let the absence of one deter you from fighting for compensation. If you’ve been injured in an accident, our Virginia car accident lawyers are here to help you every step of the way, including: 

• No-obligation, 100% free consultation 
• Assessment of your case
• Evidence collection 
• Witness interviews
• Negotiations with insurance companies
• Representation in court 

Give us a call today to discuss the details of your crash with a car accident attorney you can trust. 

“We Get Justice For Injured People, and We Love What We Do”

We are not settlement lawyers. Sharif Gray has proven that he can and will get results in court, and the insurance companies know that. If you have suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligence, we can help.

Sharif is committed to trying cases well. Because of that, he does not handle hundreds of cases at a time. He is selective in the cases he takes so he can get justice for the people he represents. In every case, he has three goals:

1. Hold the responsible corporation or individual fully accountable.
2. Make the community safer, so others are not also harmed.
3. Compensation that recognizes the full and fair value of what was taken from your health and quality of life.

We love what we do, and we are proud of the positive impact we have had and will continue to have on the people we represent and the community we live in.

If we can be of help to you, please do not hesitate to call us at (804) 915-1611 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We will get justice for you.