After an accident you believe to be minor, you might think it is unnecessary to notify the police or file a report. However, this is untrue. If you were not at fault and plan to seek compensation for property damage, injuries, or other losses, having a police report will be important for proving your claim. Plus, in some situations, reporting an accident is legally required in Massachusetts, so if you fail to do so, you might also be violating the law. Scroll down if you’re still wondering, “Why file a police report?” We’ll help you understand why reporting a crash is crucial.
Under Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter, § 26, you must report an accident within five days to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the police department with jurisdiction in the following circumstances:
Failing to report an accident under these circumstances is an offense that can result in the revocation or suspension of your driver’s license.
Why file a police report? In addition to the legal reporting obligations, there are other reasons to notify the police.
If the other driver is at fault, having a copy of the police report will be important for proving your claim. A car accident attorney will want to see a copy of the police report, and the insurance company will also want to see it to make an initial determination of liability.
If you fail to report the accident to the police, it will be harder to prove that your accident occurred, your injuries were caused by it, or that the other motorist was at fault. Even if you do not initially think you have been injured, some injuries do not show symptoms until a few hours or days after an accident. Failing to report it will make it harder for you to recover compensation for your injuries and related losses. Why file a police report? Doing so can help you prove your claim and recover compensation for your losses.
A police report is considered to be important because it is the unbiased view of a law enforcement officer who was not involved in the accident and doesn’t favor one party vs. the other. The officer will include an objective view of several factors involved, including the location of the accident, date and time, damage to each vehicle or property, and injuries suffered by any involved parties. It will also include the names, addresses, and statements of involved drivers and witnesses and other important information about the collision.
If you have a police report that supports your accident claim, it can significantly increase your chances of recovering fair compensation for your losses. Even if you are the driver who was at fault, having a police report is still important. The other driver could try to claim more damage from the accident than what occurred, and a police report can help fight against a false claim.
To file a police report, follow these simple steps:
After you file a police report and receive medical care for your injuries, you should consult a car accident attorney to learn about your rights. The lawyers at Ellis & Associates offer free consultations and can help you understand your legal options. To get started, call 800-MR-ELLIS or send us a message online.
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