Even the best drivers in the world can get into car accidents. While you can take care of your driving, you cannot eliminate bad drivers from the road. When you get involved in a car accident, you may want to clear the misconceptions and leave the scene as soon as possible. After all, no one likes legal drama in their lives.
It is not illegal not to call the police at a car accident scene. However, that does not mean you should not. While you may think otherwise, calling the police can actually help your case. A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles can tell you how you can protect your rights and maximize your compensation by reporting the accident.
Reporting a car accident to the police
In Los Angeles, you are required to report all car accidents, no matter how minor they are. If you hit a moving vehicle, a pedestrian, or a stationary object, you need to stop at the scene and exchange information with the other parties involved.
Most people tend not to report accidents when there is a lack of personal injury. However, you are still encouraged to do so because a police report can clearly show how the collision unfolded. Besides documenting the events that caused the crash, this report can also record the extent of the vehicle damage and medical injuries.
How can the police help you?
In some car accidents, mostly minor ones, people often want to leave the police out of the matter to avoid additional trouble. If someone else causes the accident, they will likely try to convince you to settle the matters privately instead of getting involved with the police.
This is never a smart move because this way, you never get the chance to create an official report of the accident. If there is no report, you cannot prove that the accident even took place. If you decide to file a claim in the future, one of the documents the insurance company or the court is going to ask for is the police report.
The police can also help you with medical care
While the police are often associated with the investigation of the site, they can also offer necessary medical care in the absence of the ambulance. If you have severe injuries and the ambulance is late, the police can provide basic medical care. Moreover, they can help clear the site for the ambulance to park and help injured people move to the ambulance.
The police can be helpful at a car accident site in many ways. It is understandable why one would want to avoid the police, but it is only beneficial for you in the long run. For further help, contact an attorney.
