Should You Call the Police After a Car Crash in Florida? Yes!

July 01, 2011

Some drivers question whether they should call police after being involved in a car accident in Florida, especially for relatively minor crashes. But, drivers should always call 911 after car accidents and wait for officers to arrive and fill out crash reports, regardless of the extent of injuries or property damage.

Calling police after a Florida car accident is important for several reasons, and if law enforcement is not summoned to the scene, it may affect an injured person's ability to hold the at-fault party accountable in a personal-injury lawsuit.

Florida Car Accident Statistics

According to the most recent data available from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) department, there were 235,778 traffic crashes in 2009 -- an average of 646 crashes per day. Of the 338,633 people involved in these crashes, 2,563 were killed and 197,214 reported injuries. There were also 107,731 crashes with only property damage reported. These Florida crash statistics show how quickly and significantly property damage, personal injuries and accident fatalities can add up over the course of one year.

When a car accident occurs, drivers should report the accident by calling 911. The people involved should exchange current license, registration and insurance information and also obtain the contact information of any witnesses to the crash. If you have a camera, take photos of the property damage.

Why Calling the Police Is Important After an Accident

Calling law enforcement after a car accident is important because a police report serves as good information when dealing with insurance companies.

Because they arrive quickly after crashes occur and are trained to look for evidence, police are able to record detailed information from the scene, such as the location of the cars and any paint transfers or tire marks. In addition, police can take statements from witnesses. In the stress that follows a crash, having an objective record of the incident is extremely valuable, as police reports can be used to help prove or defend claims of legal responsibility for car accidents.

Moreover, police reports are useful when working with insurance companies. Calling police after a car accident bolsters the credibility of an insurance claim and provides documentation of any injuries or property damage resulting from the crash. If an injury develops or worsens several weeks or months after an accident, a police report providing the basis of the injury assists in making successful insurance claims.

People who negligently cause car crashes should be held accountable for any damage, injuries or deaths they cause, and a police report can help drivers make their cases in court and to insurance companies. Although police should always be called after car accidents in Florida, legal recovery still may be possible for people injured in crashes not documented by police reports. If you were recently in a car accident, contact a Florida personal injury attorney to discuss any legal claims you may have.

Article provided by Winters & Yonker P.A.
Visit us at www.wintersandyonker.com