The Importance of Police Reports in Personal Injury Cases

Many people make a critical mistake in the aftermath of a personal injury—they don't call the police. Whether due to pride, distrust or simply believing it's unnecessary, failing to file a police report can jeopardize an entire personal injury case.

Here, we’ll discuss why police case reports are integral to personal injuries, what these documents contain, and how they can be used as leverage when dealing with insurance companies or in a court of law.

How Police Reports Strengthen Personal Injury Cases

Objective Documentation

Personal injuries are often highly contentious scenarios where victims and negligent parties have conflicting versions of the same event. In these situations, a neutral third party carries significant weight, cutting through the subjective clutter by documenting:

• The time and location where the personal injury occurred
• Environmental factors that may have contributed to the accident (icy sidewalks, crumbling staircases, wet roads, etc.)
• Witnesses who were on site when the accident occurred
• Laws violated by the negligent party

This documentation may prove invaluable during insurance negotiations or in court should the victim pursue legal recourse.

Baseline For Gathering Evidence

Police reports are a useful starting point for attorneys to build cases for several reasons.

First, these documents often provide the names and contact information of witnesses who can corroborate the victim’s story. Police reports also:

• Preserve evidence
• Lay out event timelines
• Document environmental conditions contributing to the personal injury
• Capture the sequence of events: what happened before, during, and after the incident

Assists with Insurance Claims

Police reports can also streamline the insurance claims process. Insurance agencies typically rely on police reports when determining fault. Without documentation from a neutral third party, claims can quickly turn into a game of “he said, she said.”

This back-and-forth creates unnecessary delays and may completely jeopardize your chances of receiving fair compensation.

Documents Injuries

In many cases, the severity of an injury determines compensation. However, many seemingly minor injuries worsen over time. Always contact the police and file a report, regardless of how minor your injuries initially appear.

This document may prove useful—particularly in cases where injuries worsen over time or in cases where insurance companies argue that you are suffering from a preexisting condition.

What to Do If a Police Report is Inaccurate or Unavailable

While we all expect police officers to remain neutral, thoroughly document events, and file them appropriately, mistakes happen. Sometimes, officers do not act with discretion or are not called to the scene at all.

If you believe a police report contains errors, contact our personal injury team immediately. We will:

• Obtain a copy of the report, document the inaccuracies, and file a formal amendment request
• Gather additional information when possible, including witness statements, surveillance footage, and medical records
• Step in and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf

If a police report is unavailable, lost, or does not exist, our team may still be able to build a strong case. To expedite the process, gather all medical records, photos, and any other documentation related to the incident, including:

• Hospital and doctor visit records
• Bills and receipts for treatment
• Prescription records
• Records of any physical or mental therapy sessions

We also recommend keeping a daily pain journal, documenting missed days at work, keeping receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, and taking notes from friends and family who knew you before the accident. Finally, follow the steps outlined in our quick guide for personal injury clients.

Your Personal Injury Case Is Our Priority

When you need help gathering evidence to build a strong case, you can trust our personal injury team. We will work with police officials to gather reports, investigate the circumstances of your injury, and fight to secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today!