Why You Must File a Police Report After a Car Accident in PA
In 2023, more than 6.1 million traffic accidents were reported to the police. The importance of a police report cannot be disputed, serving as a detailed account of the event told from a third-party perspective. With dangerous rural roads, dense traffic, and poor infrastructure, driving around Chambersburg poses various dangers. Although Pennsylvania traffic law only requires you to contact the police if an accident has any injuries, fatalities, or if a vehicle must be towed, you should always report an accident to the authorities. If you have been injured while traveling around The Burg, our Chambersburg car accident attorneys would like to discuss your matter.
Includes Accident Details and Crucial Information
A police report will include crucial information that you will need to file your claim, such as:
- The date/time/location of the incident
- The names of all drivers and passengers involved
- The make/model/year of all vehicles
- Weather and road conditions
- Eyewitness names and phone numbers, as well as brief statements provided
- A description of the accident
- Estimated value of vehicle damage
- The severity of your injuries and the injuries of anyone else
- Potential traffic laws that were violated
- Who the officer believes is at fault
Your Losses Will Be Documented
An officer who responds to the accident scene will be able to account for the severity of vehicle damage before any cars are towed away. The police officer will also detail your injuries, which can be beneficial when filing a bodily injury claim. If your injuries warrant a trip to the ER, the police report will also specify which ambulance service was used and which hospital you were taken to. In short, a crash report can make a significant difference when filing an insurance claim.
Someone Else to Testify on Your Behalf
Unfortunately, the same evidence that is admitted in an insurance claim cannot always be used at trial. Since a police report is considered hearsay (the police officer was not present at the time of the accident), it is generally inadmissible in personal injury cases under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3751. Although the police report may be inadmissible, the police officer can testify to what they observed at the scene of the accident. If the other party is at fault, the police officer can be another witness who can testify on your behalf.
A Public Record is Created of the Incident
In some circumstances, the police report may qualify as a hearsay exception, allowing it to be admitted as a public record. The difficulty comes with what evidence can be admitted as a public record. Since a police report does contain both objective facts and opinion, only the objective facts can be admitted into evidence. Even if the crash report is inadmissible at trial, you still have a detailed account of events that can help you to obtain a higher settlement.
Cornerstone Document to Find Other Evidence
While the crash report itself may be inadmissible, our legal team may be able to use the report as a jumping-off point to find other valuable evidence. Information regarding the scene investigation, if the officer noted any dashcams or surveillance cameras, and eyewitness statements can guide our legal team in their investigation. Sadly, a police report without further supporting information will not bring about a successful outcome.
Speak with Our Chambersburg Car Accident Lawyers Today
Being struck by another vehicle can place a wrench in an otherwise pleasant afternoon. At DiLoreto, Cosentino & Bolinger P.C., our mission is to obtain the financial resources you need to cover accident-related expenses. Nobody should be in financial depravity due to another’s carelessness. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Chambersburg car accident attorneys, contact us online or by phone at (717) 496-0070 today.