So, you were injured in an accident that occurred due to the negligence of another party. The only problem is that there was no accident report filed with the police following the injury. Can you still make a claim?
Many people involved in motor vehicle accidents do not have police reports of the accident. It may be that the accident was not reported and the police were not called. It may also be that a report was not generated for the accident. Regardless of the reason, you may find that you have a legitimate claim and want to file a personal injury lawsuit and do not have a police report to use as evidence of the accident.
Although having a police report can be a great advantage when filing a personal injury lawsuit, it is possible to file and win your case without one.
More Than One Way to Investigate
Police reports are very helpful because they provide the parties and the court with relevant facts about the accident based on the observations of unbiased law enforcement officers. However, police officers are not the only people who can give provide evidence demonstrating that the other party was negligent. A private investigator can help.
Most personal injury attorneys work with private investigators to collect evidence about their cases, find and contact witnesses as well as determine which party was at fault in the accident. You will not be required to pay for these services up front. The cost for these services will most likely be presented as an expense that will be deducted from the total sum of your award or settlement.
Other Records and Reports
In addition to an accident report as well as witness testimony, other documents and materials are often presented as evidence of your injuries and their cost. These include medical records, videos, photos and other relevant documents. Your attorney can help you obtain these records and reports during the discovery stage. These documents can help to build up a solid evidentiary basis for your claim that your attorney will use to negotiate a settlement or represent you in court.
Your Own Account
You are often your best witness. You were present when the accident occurred. After all, you went through it. In most cases, it is in your interest to provide an account of what happened. However, your attorney may counsel you on what you should or should not discuss as well as how to best present your testimony.
It is important to put together a coherent account of what occurred. The timeline of the events should be logical and provide a clear picture of how the accident happened and the injuries that resulted from it. This is the type of narrative that the police provide in their reports.
If you were seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, and there is no police report, don’t worry. An experienced motor vehicle accident attorney can help you determine the best course of action.
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