Do I Need a Police Report to File an Insurance Claim?
If you have been in a car accident that results in injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage, Texas law requires you to call the police. The police officer who responds to the scene will take down information relevant to the accident and issue a written report. The insurance company will ask for the crash report when you file your claim. Although it is possible to recover damages without a police report, the insurance company may take longer to process your claim.
At The Law Office of Joel Vecchio, P.C., our Plano car accident lawyers have assisted countless individuals in filing insurance claims and recovering the full extent of their losses. Let us help you obtain the settlement you deserve.
What Information Does a Police Report Contain?
A police crash report will contain the following information:
- Date, time, and location of crash;
- The names and contact information of the drivers and passengers involved;
- Eyewitness information and physical description;
- Vehicle information, including make/model/year, license plate state/number, and vehicle identification number (VIN);
- Description of how the crash occurred (i.e., failure to yield, speeding, running a red light, etc.);
- Weather and road conditions;
- Vehicle damage rating and estimated cost of repairs; and
- Who the officer believes is at fault.
Why Does it Help to Have a Police Report?
Establishes a Vehicle Damage Rating
Texas police officers must enter a vehicle damage rating on the crash report (form CR-3), which includes the location of impact, the direction of force, and the severity of damage. This can help the insurance company determine the extent of damage that your vehicle sustained. However, if you do not have a police report or if the photos of vehicle damage are unclear, then a claims adjuster may come to inspect your vehicle in person. As part of this inspection, the adjuster will inspect the vehicle, walking around the car and taking pictures from different angles. They may ask you about any pre-existing damage to the vehicle so that it is excluded from your claim.
A claims adjuster may still perform an auto claims inspection even if you submit a crash report as part of your claim. Whether a claims inspection is performed will depend on the severity of damage and the insurance company’s policies.
May Be Useful to an Accident Reconstructionist
If anyone suffered fatal injuries or if the accident involved a felony offense (such as a felony DUI), then the police officer may call an accident reconstructionist to the scene. However, many car accident attorneys work alongside accident reconstructionists who can help to evaluate evidence to determine what actually happened. Having access to the crash report can set a baseline for an accident reconstructionist, allowing them to understand the basics of the crash. Even so, an accident reconstructionist will perform an independent, thorough investigation to establish each driver’s role in the crash.
Contact Our Plano Car Accident Lawyers Today
Have you or a loved one recently been in a car accident? If so, now is the time to call The Law Office of Joel Vecchio, P.C. With a motor vehicle crash happening every 56 seconds in Texas, having reliable representation is a must. Our Plano car accident attorneys are dedicated to helping accident victims recover maximum compensation for their injuries. To schedule your free consultation or to simply learn more, contact us online or by phone at (972) 381-4610 today.