What to Do After a Car Accident: Legal Guidance From Morgan & Morgan

Car accidents can have serious consequences for victims, both physically and financially. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car crash, it is important to seek experienced legal advice as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and any property damage incurred. They can also provide guidance on how to handle insurance claims and represent you in court if necessary.

In addition to providing essential legal services after a car accident, an experienced attorney can also assist with other issues such as filing unemployment claims or securing disability benefits. It is important to have an advocate who understands the complexities of civil law and can provide sound advice throughout the process.

If you have been affected by a car accident or other motor vehicle incident, contact Morgan & Morgan today to schedule a free case evaluation.

What to Expect in a Car Accident Police Report

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s likely that a car accident police report was completed. This document is an essential part of the legal process if you are looking for compensation for the damages incurred. It’s important to understand what information is included in a police report.

• Driver Information

The police report will include the names and contact information of both drivers involved in the accident. It will also include the make, model, year, and license plate number of each vehicle. The estimated damage to each vehicle will also be included in the report. In addition, any insurance information for each driver should be included on the report.

• Witness Information

If there were witnesses at or near the scene of the crash, their contact information should also be included on this section of the police report. This makes it so that they can later provide statements about what they saw when questioned by attorneys for either side of a potential personal injury lawsuit.  

• Injuries and Deaths

If anyone has been killed or injured in the accident, then this information should be included in the police report. The officer will document where people were injured or killed and how and where they were transported for help. Details about any property damage related to the accident should also be noted on the report.

• Visual Drawing and Description of Accident

The police officer who responded to the scene will provide a visual drawing and description of the accident that includes where it occurred and how it happened. This typically includes where vehicles were located after impact and any skid marks that are present at the scene of the crash. The officer may also provide a detailed written description of what happened during or leading up to the crash.

The Importance of a Car Accident Police Report

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it is critical to understand the importance of filing a police report. This report documents all the details of the incident and can serve as evidence when filing an insurance claim or taking legal action. Here’s why it can be so helpful:

A car accident police report is an official document that serves as legal proof and evidence of what happened during the crash. For example, if a driver failed to yield at a stop sign or ran a red light and caused an accident resulting in injuries or property damage, the police report will include this information.

It provides an impartial record of the facts and can be an essential document in helping prove your case. A well-documented account will make it easier for an attorney to assess liability and determine whether there was negligence on behalf of another driver who should be held accountable for their actions.

This is because they are an impartial account of events from an unbiased observer.  Because of this objectivity, police reports can serve as critical evidence when determining liability for car accidents. 

What to Do After a Car Accident?

Being in a car accident can be a traumatic and confusing experience. Knowing what steps to take immediately after an accident can help protect your health, legal rights, and even your wallet. Now that you know what’s included in the police report, it’s helpful to consider what steps you should take after an accident.

• Stay Calm & Get to Safety

The first step after a car accident is to stay calm. This allows you to think clearly and assess the situation. Even if it was minor, try not to move too quickly—your body may have taken a bigger hit than you think. Make sure everyone involved is safe and out of harm’s way before doing anything else. If any cars are blocking traffic, turn on your hazard lights to alert oncoming drivers.

• Call 911

If anyone involved appears injured or if there is significant property damage, call 911 immediately for medical assistance and law enforcement services. You should also call 911 if you believe any other parties involved in the accident are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The police will typically arrive at the scene shortly after being contacted, and they will prepare an official report detailing the incident which can be used later for insurance claims or court proceedings if necessary.

• Document the Scene & Injuries

Once everyone is safely away from danger, use your phone camera to document as much evidence and information as possible about what happened—including pictures of all vehicles involved in the crash, pictures of any visible injuries sustained by those involved, contact information of witnesses at the scene (if applicable), etc. Having this information readily available can be incredibly helpful for resolving your case quickly with insurance providers or in court proceedings down the line.  

• Contact a Lawyer  

Finally, it’s important that you seek legal counsel from an experienced personal injury lawyer who can provide advice specific to your situation and ensure that all your legal rights are protected every step of the way during settlement negotiations or court proceedings if necessary. A qualified lawyer will know exactly how to fight for compensation for medical bills, lost wages due to missed workdays, emotional distress caused by trauma from the incident, and other losses depending on your circumstances.

How to Understand Compensation From a Car Accident Claim?

When you’ve been in a car accident, you may have many questions about what kind of compensation you are entitled to. It can be difficult to understand the claims process, but it is important to know your rights and have an understanding of what type of compensation you may be eligible for.

• Economic Damages

Economic damages refer to financial losses that can be calculated and include things like medical bills, lost wages from not being able to work, damage to property and vehicles, and other out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the accident. These damages may also include future medical costs, future lost wages due to disability, diminished earning capacity if an injury prevents you from working as much as before, and the cost of hiring someone else to do household chores if necessary.  

• Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages cover losses that cannot be easily calculated in terms of money. These types of damages are meant to compensate victims for physical pain and suffering resulting from the accident. Additionally, non-economic damages will typically account for emotional distress experienced due to an injury or death caused by the accident. Non-economic damages can also include things such as loss of enjoyment in life activities due to disability or disfigurement caused by the accident.

• Punitive Damages

In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if it is found that gross negligence was involved in causing harm or damage during an accident. Punitive damages are designed as punishment for particularly reckless behavior or intentional disregard for others’ safety and are not considered compensatory damages that exist solely for monetary gain. The amount awarded varies depending on how egregious the behavior was deemed by the court system.     

Morgan & Morgan Can Help After a Car Accident

Car accidents are complex situations that require detailed documentation in order to properly evaluate who was at fault and how much compensation each party should receive for damages sustained during an incident. As you can see, a car accident police report provides vital evidence to help determine who was liable for damages resulting from an auto collision. Understanding what information is included in a car accident police report can help those involved better prepare for filing personal injury claims or seeking legal counsel related to their case.

Morgan & Morgan has been handling car accident cases for decades, and we have recovered billions of dollars for our clients throughout the years. We are the largest personal injury firm in America, and we have offices throughout the country, so we can help no matter where you’re located.

For help with a car accident claim, contact Morgan & Morgan today to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation.