Immediately after you realize you were just involved in a car accident, you should pick up your phone and call the police. You may think this is a drastic action given how minor your accident was, but you must trust us when we say the payoff may make it all worth it. So, without further ado, please follow along to find out the importance of calling the police after your accident and how a proficient Toronto car accident lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can help with your legal strategies.
Why do I need to call the police after my car accident?
First and foremost, you should call the police to the scene of your car accident for your immediate safety. This is because there are times when drivers act belligerently after an accident in the heat of the moment, or out of pure frustration that this happened to them. Other times, an involved driver(s) may be under the influence of drugs and alcohol and are unable to act with you civilly. For these reasons, you should not approach a driver or their vehicle alone without an officer present.
Secondly, when they arrive at the scene, the police officer may conduct an official accident report. In this report, they may document how you, the other involved driver(s), and eyewitnesses recall the accident event going down. From here, they may disclose their expert opinion on who is likely liable for the accident. Therefore, this report may protect you from false claims made by the other driver (i.e., the defendant) in your future personal injury claim.
Lastly, this official accident report may also help if you file a claim with the negligent driver’s auto insurance provider. This is because an insurance adjuster may be hindered from participating in tactics that diminish your claim and the payout you are entitled to.
What if the police do not come to the scene of my accident?
Understandably so, you may be completely overwhelmed in the aftermath of your car accident. You may also be anxious to put this ugly event behind you right away. With this, you may have been easily convinced by the other involved driver(s) not to get the police or insurance involved. This may be especially convincing if it was only a minor fender bender and you did not incur any visible injuries. So, you may have walked away from the scene without calling the police.
Do not worry if you did this. You still have the alternative of going to your local police station and filing an official accident report there. It is ideal to go on the same day your accident took place so that the date lines up with the date you declare in your personal injury and auto insurance claims.
In conclusion, a talented Toronto auto accident lawyer can help kickstart your legal action today. Our team at Merricks Law Group, P.A. will happily take on your case.
