Maison Law can help you through the aftermath of a car accident in Manhattan Beach. Any car accident is going to have its own unique circumstances. But what comes after is looking at the details, and one of the best ways to do that is by getting a copy of the police report. Our team can help you figure out who you need to go through and how to use it to your advantage. Set up a free consultation today.
How Do I Get an Accident Report After a Car Accident in Manhattan Beach?
With a steady supply of locals and vacationers, there’s no shortage of car accidents here in Manhattan Beach. Once you’re in one, though, it can feel a little chaotic. That’s why one of the first things you need to do is:
- Call 911 to report the accident. That prompts a police response, as well as an ambulance to the scene to take care of your injuries.
Everything else flows from this first step, including how the police officer documents things. Every police department has their own way of doing an accident report, but they all have the same basic skeleton:
- What the officer saw at the scene
- What the drivers and witnesses said
- Road and weather conditions
- The time, date, and location
- Where the vehicles ended up
- Any tickets or other factors involved in the accident
So with a report created, the next step is getting it. It usually takes a couple days, but once it’s ready, you can request a copy in two ways:
- Through the online portal
- Visiting the MBPD’s Records Division at:
- 420 15th Street
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 802-5150
- 420 15th Street
That pretty much covers how you get a copy of your accident report. But from that point on, it’s about knowing the best way to use it to your advantage.
Why an Accident Report Matters For a Potential Claim
Getting your copy of the accident report is going to be an important step after your car accident, but not necessarily for the reason you might think. Yes, it serves as official documented evidence of the accident, but it actually can’t be used as direct evidence in a lawsuit because it’s ultimately based on hearsay. The officer who completed the report wasn’t necessarily there to see the accident happen. They’re often relying on what the drivers, passengers, witnesses, and others told them.
But it still matters to you a lot because:
- Insurance companies can use it when they’re trying to figure out what happened.
When you make an insurance claim, it’s one of the first things the insurance adjuster asks for. They use it to look at the basic details of the accident, but more to the point, they can also use it to interpret the facts of what happened as they see it. This is why it’s important to have a copy for yourself. That way, you have a read on how the insurance company is going to approach your claim.
What Else Can Help Me in a Car Accident Claim?
The police’s accident report is one of the most important pieces of information you can have for your car accident claim, but it’s far from the only thing you’ll need. At the scene, you should try to get:
- Your own pictures/videos of the vehicles, the damage, where they came to rest, skid marks, debris, road signs, and anything else around the scene
- The other driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license, and insurance information
- Contact information for anyone who saw what happened
The idea is to try to preserve what the aftermath looked like right after the accident. Those kinds of details can disappear quickly once the vehicles are moved, debris is cleaned up, and traffic starts moving again.
Then, in the days/weeks after, you should keep track of the accident report and things like:
- Notes about what you remember
- Your medical records and treatment showing how the accident affected you
- Bills for medical care, physical therapy, prescriptions, and other expenses
- Information showing how the accident has affected your work and income
- Repair estimates, photos, and other records showing the damage to your vehicle
- Video footage from nearby businesses, homes, traffic cameras, or other sources
- Emails, letters, recorded statements, and other things from the insurance company
Taken together, this information helps tell the full story of what happened and how the accident has affected you. And the more complete that picture is, the better position you may be in when dealing with the insurance company or going forward with a lawsuit. And remember, our team will be with you throughout the process.
Get Help After a Car Accident in Manhattan Beach
After a car accident in Manhattan Beach, many people find themselves dealing with a lot more than just damage to their car. There can be a long road to recovery, winding through doctor’s appointments, treatment, surgeries, missed work, and changes to their everyday life.
But again, it’s different when it happens to you. And that’s where our Manhattan Beach car accident lawyers at Maison Law can step in and help you by:
- Getting your accident report, along with other supporting evidence
- Handling all the talks with insurance companies
- Figuring out who may be legally responsible for your injuries and damages
- Guiding you through an insurance claim, or a personal injury lawsuit if the insurance company won’t deal fairly
No matter where or how your car accident happened, we give you the space to focus on your health and family. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Manhattan Beach and have questions, reach out today for a free consultation.
