When most of us were being taught to drive as teenagers, our parents told us all the same thing. They made sure we knew how to parallel park and do a K-turn. They remind us to keep emergency supplies in the trunk. And they pay our car insurance in case something happens and we get into a car accident. What they don’t teach us is what to do in the case of a Buffalo car accident.
One of the most important things you can do after any car accident in Buffalo, New York is call the police. First of all, you’re legally required to report almost any car accident. If you don’t report your crash, you can be criminally charged. Second of all, and more importantly, your Buffalo car crash lawyer is going to need the police report.
When you call the cops after your car wreck, they’re going to do a few things. They’ll check to make sure everyone is okay. If anyone is injured, they’ll arrange for an ambulance to transport them to the hospital. They’re also going to make sure nobody else gets hurt. They’ll help move the cars to the side of the road so no other cars hit them. But finally – and most importantly – they’re going to do a thorough investigation of the accident. And they’ll put their findings in their final police report.
Your car accident lawyer will need this report to prove that the other driver was at fault. You don’t want to make their job any harder than it already is.
What Kind of Information is Contained in the Police Report?
When the cops come to the accident scene, they’re going to do a complete investigation. They’re going to look at the whole scene and try to determine who was at fault. They’re going to put all of their findings into their accident report. The information typically included in this report includes the following:
- The names and contact information for all the drivers involved in the wreck
- A description of the road conditions
- Pictures of the cars and the accident scene
- Any statements made by either of the drivers
- Confirmation of license, registration and insurance information for everyone involved
- The contact information for any witnesses, along with their statements
- Indications of whether either driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash
All of this information is going to be helpful when it comes to your Buffalo accident lawyer proving your case.
Are There Any Other Good Reasons to Call the Police?
While the accident report is important, there are other reasons why you should always call the police after your Buffalo car crash. Yes, it’s the law. But there are other, more practical reasons why you want them there immediately after your accident.
If you don’t call the police, there are all sorts of things that can go wrong. Some of these are:
- The other driver could take off and you’ll have no way of tracking them down
- Witnesses aren’t going to talk to you – they will talk to the police
- You have no idea if the other driver is giving you accurate and legitimate license and insurance information
- For all you know, the other driver is in a stolen car
- the other driver could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and there’s no way for you to prove this
For all of these reasons, you should never agree to not call the cops after your Buffalo car crash.
Call an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Buffalo Right Away
If you’ve been involved in any sort of car accident in Buffalo, you should call a skilled accident law firm in Buffalo right away. Things move fast when it comes to filing your accident claim. If you’re lucky, your claim will be approved. If this is the case, you’ll get your check within a week or two. However, if your claim is denied, you’re going to have two (2) options: Appeal your claim or file a car accident lawsuit. Either way, you’re not going to want to do this yourself. It’s much better to have an experienced car accident lawyer in Buffalo by your side.
All you have to do is call and schedule your initial consultation. It’s absolutely free and you won’t pay anything until you settle your case. This gives you a chance to have someone who understands the law review your case. They can also answer any questions you might have.
