If you are in a wreck, there are several tasks you should complete to protect yourself and preserve your rights. Reporting an Orlando car accident to police is an essential step. Failing to do so is against the law in most cases and could weaken a claim for compensation.
When you are injured in a crash, contact the auto collision attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright. We have an outstanding track record of exceptional results, which is why former clients and other professionals in the community refer their clients and loved ones to us.
The Law Requires Accident Reporting
Florida Statutes § 316.065 requires you to immediately call law enforcement if you are involved in a crash that causes injuries, death, or damage to a vehicle of at least $500. Given the high price of body work, almost every accident that causes visible damage to a vehicle is likely covered by this statute. Failing to call the police when required to do so is a misdemeanor.
Sometimes, you or the other party may be reluctant to call the police for some reason. You or they may be afraid that making a report will lead to higher insurance premiums. Perhaps someone has been drinking and wants to avoid possible arrest.
Failing to report can backfire and lead to more problems. If you are reluctant to make a police report after a crash for any reason, contact an Orlando attorney who can offer advice and guide you through any difficult scenarios.
Keep Your Statements Brief and Factual
The law requires you to call the police, but you do not need to volunteer opinions or lengthy explanations when speaking with them. You can protect your rights by being mindful when talking to a law enforcement officer about the wreck.
You should answer the officer’s questions, but limit yourself to facts. Answer truthfully, but do not offer opinions, impressions, or lengthy explanations. You can provide the police with the minimum information, like your contact details and insurance information, explain that you are shaken and prefer to schedule a later time to get further into details, and then consult an Orlando lawyer at The Florida Firm immediately.
If you believe you might be partially responsible for the crash, it can be tempting to try to justify or explain yourself. It is very easy to inadvertently make an admission of fault, especially when you have just experienced a stressful event, so be wise and resist the urge to provide unnecessary information.
How Can Your Statements Decrease Your Compensation?
The police report plays a critical role in a compensation claim. It will contain the statements of involved parties and witnesses, a description of the scene as the officer observed it. The police report will also note whether the police issued a ticket to either driver and may designate one party as being at fault.
This is critical because if you file a legal claim, you must prove that another party’s negligence caused your injuries. If you were partially at fault, you can collect financial damages from other responsible parties, but the amount you collect will be reduced. If responsibility for the accident falls primarily on your shoulders, you cannot collect any damages.
A police officer’s determination of fault or decision to issue a citation is not the last word. A more thorough examination of the circumstances and the evidence could lead to a different conclusion. If you are involved in a wreck and the police report indicates you bear responsibility, lawyers at Colling Gilbert Wright in Orlando could investigate and look for proof that you were not primarily to blame.
Contact Our Orlando Attorneys If You Have Concerns About a Police Accident Report
Whether you believe a police report will help your case or harm it, reporting an Orlando car accident to police is required by law. You can fulfill your legal obligations and still may be able to pursue a compensation case, even when the police issued you a citation or found you at fault.
Our firm has had great success achieving substantial settlements and verdicts in car accident cases, including when the injured client bears partial responsibility. Set up an appointment to speak with us. Consultations are free, and you pay nothing unless we resolve the case in your favor.