How Can a Police Report Help with Your Long Island Car Accident Case?
Most car accidents are minor. They only involve a bit of damage to the vehicles. Nobody is hurt, and there’s no need to take legal action. There are times, however, when this isn’t the case. If you get into a car accident in Long Island, you may need to go to the hospital. You may need surgery and even physical therapy. This means you’ll be out of work for a while. If the other driver caused your crash, they should be held accountable for these things. The only way to make that happen is to file a claim against their insurance company.
There’s a good chance the insurance company will pay your claim. It is especially true if your claim is small. It makes more sense for them to pay your claim than to fight it in court. However, there are times when they may choose to deny your claim. They could do this for a variety of reasons, including the following:
- The policy wasn’t valid or had cancelled for non-payment
- The insurance company thinks you were at fault
- They don’t believe that you were hurt in the crash
- You have a history of filing auto accident claims
- You didn’t submit the necessary information
If the other driver’s policy wasn’t valid, there’s nothing your Long Island car accident lawyer can do. No company is going to pay out on a claim for an invalid policy. But if it’s denied for any other reason, your attorney will work hard to get your claim paid. What you need to do is call an experienced car accident lawyer in Long Island as soon as possible.
Your Long Island Auto Accident Attorney Needs to Prove Negligence
In order to get you damages, your Long Island car accident attorney needs to prove negligence. This means you need to show that the other driver didn’t do what they were supposed to do when behind the wheel. To demonstrate negligence, your attorney needs to show the following four (4) things:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care
- They breached this duty
- You were injured
- Your injuries were caused by the defendant’s breach
To prove these four things, your Long Island accident attorney will need the police report. This report is going to provide them with information that will help prove your case. Some of this includes the following:
- The contact information for both drivers
- License and insurance information for the drivers involved
- Contact information for any witnesses
- Description of the accident scene
- Statements made by the drivers and their passengers
- Any statements made by witnesses
- Pictures of the accident scene and the damage to the vehicles
This information will not be available to your attorney. They won’t be able to go back and find out who saw the crash. Nor will they be able to get information about the accident scene after the fact. They’re going to rely heavily on the police report to prove your case.
Can Your Attorney Piece Together the Evidence Without the Police Report?
No matter how good your attorney is, there are certain things they can’t do. For example, they can’t get the name and contact information for witnesses after the fact. They also can’t prove that the other driver was drunk at the time of the crash. This is stuff only the cops can access. That’s why it’s crucial that you call the police after your New York car accident. Without their help, it may be impossible to prove that the other driver was at fault. And this is the only way to get you the compensation you deserve.
Call and Talk to a Seasoned Car Accident Lawyer in Long Island Right Away
If you get hurt in any sort of motor vehicle accident, you need to call our office right away. Sit down with an experienced car accident lawyer in Long Island. They can review your case and give you an idea of what your case may be worth. They can also answer any questions you may have. The good thing about having an attorney is that they’ll negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. They know that the insurance company doesn’t’ want to go to court. Their goal is to get you as much money as possible, as quickly as possible.
Call today and schedule your free initial consultation. The other driver will have a lawyer working for them and you should too. The first meeting is free and you don’t pay a dime until your case is resolved.
