Being involved in a serious traffic collision in Lancaster can be overwhelming. If you were seriously injured in an accident caused by a careless driver, you might not think it’s important to obtain a police report.
However, if you do not get a report, it can become more difficult to recover the compensation you are owed after suffering serious injuries from an accident. A Vehicle Accident Attorney at Maison Law can help you obtain your police report and review it to determine whether you should pursue a car accident injury claim.
Am I Legally Required to Report an Accident to the Lancaster Police?
When it comes to reporting an accident to the Lancaster Police, several regulations govern when a driver must report an accident. They can get confusing if you read them from start to finish, so here is a brief summary for your convenience. Drivers must report an accident in California if:
- Anyone is injured, even minor scrapes and bruises count
- Anyone is killed in the accident
- Property damage reaches or exceeds $1,000, this includes damage to personal property as well, not just the vehicle
- Any drivers involved were operating a motor vehicle without a license
- Any drivers involved were intoxicated at the time of the accident
If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being in an accident in Lancaster, it is recommended to always report it to the police. Failing to report when required can result in fines, loss of driving privileges, and even criminal charges. By law, a citizen of California has 10 days to report their accident to the police, starting from the day the accident occurred.
The Importance of Getting an Accident Report
After an accident, it is normal to be too overwhelmed with medical appointments, managing insurance companies, and keeping up with daily life while you’re recovering. However, having an accident report is crucial information necessary to recover compensation from your vehicle accident claim.
Accident reports detail how the collision occurred and should include:
- Names and contact information of the involved drivers
- Parties of interest, such as passengers, property owners, vehicle owners, drivers, witnesses, and anyone else involved
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Citations for any type of driving behavior, including whether a driver was intoxicated, speeding, or otherwise violating traffic laws
- Police officer’s opinion as to who or what caused the accident
Since police reports can contain hearsay statements, it is important to remember that accident reports cannot be used as evidence in your car accident claim. However, they include important information that a Car Accident Lawyer and the insurance company will use to determine liability.
Step-by-Step: Police Report Retrieval after a Car Accident in Lancaster
Obtaining a copy of the traffic collision report is essential for insurance claim and any potential legal action you may take. Here are the necessary steps to retrieving your police report:
- Identify the Reporting Agency: determine whether the accident was reported to the local police or the California Highway Patrol (CHP). This is usually dependent on where the accident took place.
- Gather Information: the more information you have, the easier it will be to retrieve your report. According to the Transportation Injury Mapping System, Lancaster averages around 300 car accidents per year, so there will most likely be a lot of accidents to sort through. The information needed includes: date, time, location, name of drivers, and your contact information.
- Request the Report: you can visit the Lancaster Police Station in person to request a report, submit a request online, or you can submit a request via mail if online requests are unavailable.
- Allow Time for Processing: it can take several business days or weeks for the report to be processed and available.
Contact a Lancaster Accident Lawyer for Legal Help
If you’re concerned about the next steps you should take, contact Maison Law for any questions or a free consultation concerning your incident. Our team of accident attorneys understands how to analyze police reports and will conduct a full investigation into the details of your accident if necessary.
