If you get into a car accident, there are a few things you need to do. First, you need to seek medical treatment immediately following the accident, You need to make sure you’re okay. You also need proof that you were injured.
Second, you need to call the police. Never agree to walk away from an accident without calling the police to the scene. This is true no matter how much the other drivers begs you not to do it. In fact, it’s even more important that you call the police if the other driver asks you not to.
When the cops arrive on the scene, they’ll check to see if either driver is drunk or under the influence of drugs. Once the driver leaves the scene, there’s no way to prove that he was DUI.
Your car accident lawyer in Indianapolis will need a copy of the police report. This report has information that your attorney needs to prove your case. Some of this information can only be learned through the police report. Your attorney may not be able to recover this information down the road.
Your Car Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis Needs the Police Report
When you meet with your attorney for the first time, he’ll want to see a copy of the police report. The police report paints a picture of the accident scene. It will also contain actual pictures of the scene and vehicles.
The great thing about the police report is it has information your car accident lawyer in Indianapolis can use to prove your case. Some of the information in the police report includes:
- Name, license and insurance information for both drivers
- Name and contact information for witnesses
- Statements made by both drivers
- Witness statements
- Pictures of the scene, road conditions and the vehicles
- Whether either driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident
- Information regarding any citations issued as a result of the accident
Depending on the circumstances, your car accident lawyer in Indianapolis may never be able to get this information on his own. You don’t want to make his job any harder than it has to be.
Why Would You Not Want to Call the Police?
There are times when you’d rather just exchange insurance information with the other driver and go your separate ways. You may not want to deal with inconvenience of calling the cops. Some of the other reasons you may not want to call the are:
- The damage to your car is minor
- You and the other driver agree to just handle it through your insurance companies
- The weather is terrible and you just don’t want to stand outside waiting
- You’re in a rush or late for an appointment
- You don’t think you’re hurt
- the other driver begs you not to call the police and you feel bad
If the damage to your car isn’t that bad, you may want to agree not to call the police. If you aren’t injured, you may agree with the other driver. It may be easier not to call the police. However, there are important reasons why the defendant may ask you not to call the cops. These reasons include:
- He could be drunk or under the influence of drugs
- He doesn’t have a valid driver’s license
- He has no insurance
- He has active warrants
- He was breaking the law at the time of the accident
If any of these are true, it makes sense that he won’t want you to call the police. However, you need to protect yourself. No matter what, always call and get the police report.
Your Car Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis Knows You Need to Report Your Accident Anyway
Even if you don’t want to call the police, you really do have to. Indiana law requires you to report any car accident that meets the following criteria:
- A person was injured
- There is property damage greater than $1,000
- You damaged property of a third party who isn’t present
If you don’t report your accident, you can be fined and sentenced to up to 60 days in jail. It’s definitely not worth it. Do yourself a favor and just call the police. It’s the right thing to do.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you need to contact a car accident lawyer in Indianapolis right away. You can schedule your free consultation and ask any questions you may have.
