If you are in a crash in Texas, it is important that you call the police and report the accident as soon as possible.
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident in Edinburg or surrounding areas of Texas, state law allows you to hold the at-fault driver responsible for the full extent of your damages and injuries. However, in order to do so, you will need to present evidence that proves that your accident and injuries would not have occurred but for the actions of the at-fault driver. One type of evidence that is very important throughout this process is your car accident police report.
Why is a Police Report So Important?
Having a police report during the insurance claims process is important for a number of reasons. These include:
- Reporting your accident to the police is required. The first reason that having a police report is important is that a copy of your police report is evidence that you followed the law. That is because per Texas Code Section 550.026, the driver of a motor vehicle who is involved in any crash that results in injury or death is required to give notice to the local police department or sheriff's office immediately “by the quickest means of communication.”
- An accident report shows causation. Another reason that reporting your accident is important is that an accident report helps to show causation, or the relationship between your crash and the injuries for which you are claiming compensation. If you do not have a police report to prove that the accident occurred (and around the same time that your injuries developed), the insurance adjuster may question the validity of your case. Remember, insurance companies will look for any excuse to question your claim so that they can refuse to honor it and save the company money. Don’t give them any reason to do so. The insurance adjuster may not work to help you, but your lawyer will!
- Your accident report may provide clues about fault (and more). An accident report may also include important details about who the police believe to have caused the accident and how, evidence that you can certainly use to add clout to your claim. In addition to determinations about fault, the accident report may include information about damage to vehicles, serious immediate injuries, where and when the accident occurred, names of eyewitnesses to the accident, and more. The police report may even include a diagram of the accident scene, as well as information about who was cited for the accident - an important indication of fault.
Recover a Copy of Your Police Report
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is critical that you report the accident as soon as possible. Then, you need to request a copy of the report. You can request a copy of the report at the scene of the accident, or you can obtain your crash report online by visiting the website of the Texas Department of Transportation - Crash Reports and Records. We can assist you in this process if anything is unclear.
Call Our Law Firm Today
During the claims process, our Edinburg accident lawyer at the Law Office of Raul A. Guajardo, P.L.L.C. can provide you with aggressive legal representation. For help bringing forth your claim, understanding what you are entitled to, negotiating your case, and more, call our Edinburg personal injury law firm directly today or send us a message online.