Do I Need a Police Report to File an Insurance Claim?
No. You don’t necessarily need a police report to file an insurance claim. However, having a police report can help speed up the insurance claims process because it will include specific facts about the accident. It will also strengthen the validity of your claim. It’s also worth noting that insurance companies may require a police report when an accident involves injuries, major property damage, or other extenuating circumstances.
If you’ve been in an accident and sustained injuries and property damage due to another individual or entity’s negligent behavior, you should talk to an Georgetown personal injury attorney to learn how insurance claims work and the best legal recourse for your specific situation.
What Exactly is an Insurance Claim?
An insurance claim allows you to pursue compensation from your insurer or someone else’s insurer for the damages you incurred in an accident. The compensation you receive can take care of your hospital bills, lost income, emotional distress, and additional damages from the accident. The insurer will assess your claim and determine the amount they think your claim is worth.
Insurers commonly attempt to urge injured claimants to accept a quick but lower amount of compensation than they deserve. They may also request that you sign a release agreement for the settlement. You shouldn’t sign the release papers without talking to an SC personal injury attorney. Signing the release means you’re releasing the insurer from any impending responsibilities, even if you’re not content with the amount of compensation they offered.
The Importance of Police Reports in Insurance Claims
Usually, when a person gets into a minor accident, like a fender-bender car accident, they don’t think that filing a police report is necessary. However, if you aim to pursue compensation for any injuries or damages you suffered, a police report can help solidify your case and boost your chances of securing maximum compensation.
If you get into an accident without a police report, you can still file an insurance claim. However, it might be more difficult to prove your claim without proper documentation. This is why a police report is important, as it provides detailed and official information about the accident. Having a police report is valuable as it helps ensure that you are protected against any future complications. For instance, if the other party and their insurance provider are disputing fault and liability for the accident.
The police report can be presented as evidence in an insurance claim and help refute any unfair or misleading opinions other parties may have that can affect the case. In motor vehicle accidents, the specific details included in a police report are:
- The location of the collision
- Specific date and time
- Types of injuries suffered by motorists and other involved parties
- Damages sustained by the vehicles
- Eyewitness accounts
- Driver’s accounts
In an accident without a police report, it is usually more difficult to collect the important details required for an insurance claim. However, even without a police report, a skilled SC personal injury attorney can help you file an insurance claim and ensure you get compensated fairly.
Seek Legal Guidance From Our Georgetown Personal Injury Attorney
At Oxner & Stacy Law Firm LLC, our Georgetown personal injury attorney has the skills, resources, and knowledge necessary to build a solid insurance claim. To ensure you have the right evidence to strengthen your claim and understand your legal options after getting injured in an accident, arrange your free consultation with our SC personal injury attorney by calling 843-527-8020 or contact us online.