If you’ve been involved in an accident that’s anything more than a minor “bump” type of fender bender, it’s usually a good idea to complete an accident report. An accident report is submitted to the police department in the city or town where the car crash occurred. This document is kept on permanent record, and it can play a major role in your personal injury lawsuit and in other dealings, such as your insurance claim.

Personal injury lawyer Jeffrey W. Hensley, P.A. deals with many clients who simply didn’t realize the importance of their accident report and how it can impact their insurance claim and even their legal claim. So let’s take a look at how accident reports are used and how they can impact you in the future.

What Are Accident Reports and How Are They Used?

Accident reports are formal reports that are filed after a collision to document the details of the crash. This document may be introduced as courtroom evidence in a civil case (i.e. a personal injury lawsuit) or even in a criminal case. It may also be required by your insurance company when filing a claim.

An accident report includes the following information:

• Your name, address and contact information;
• The plate number, make, and model of your vehicle;
• Information on whether the accident involved injuries or a fatality;
• Information on precisely when and where the accident occurred;
• A written narrative of how the accident happened; and
• A drawn diagram of how the accident occurred.

It is extremely important that you are honest and accurate in your accident report due to the fact that this is an official document that can play an important part in your insurance claim and in legal proceedings. As you write the report, you should be as detailed as possible. If you have any questions, you may wish to consult your attorney.

How Does an Accident Report Affect Your Insurance Claim?

Your insurance company will use your accident report as documentation in your claim. In cases where an insurance company wishes to investigate a crash, they will review this document, amongst other evidence. This is an important part of preventing insurance fraud too.

Notably, Florida is a no-fault insurance state, so your insurance company will cover certain losses regardless of who is at fault.  But even after the insurance company pays out that initial indemnification payment for damages and losses, the company may seek out compensation from the other driver’s insurance company in a process called subrogation. This may occur if the other driver is found to hold more fault in the collision. Therefore, your accident report will play a vital role in determining if subrogation is necessary in your case.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer After Your Tarpon Springs Car Accident

Lawyers practicing personal injury law, like Attorney Jeffrey W. Hensley, P.A., will strive to help you get compensation for damages and losses, including medical bills, lost wages and other expenses that arise as a direct result of the injuries suffered in your auto accident.

You must take action soon though, because you have a limited timeframe for filing a claim. Call Tarpon Springs car accident lawyer Jeffrey W. Hensley, P.A. for a free case consultation at 727-781-3433.