Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Stuart | January 28, 2023 | Car Accidents
When you’re involved in a fender bender, you may be tempted to just shrug it off and move on. After all, is it worth calling the police over a couple of dings and some whiplash? Do you really need to call the cops for a fender bender in Stuart?
Even if an accident seems minor at the time, calling the police can still be a good idea. Read on to learn more about why you should call the cops for even minor accidents.
The Short Answer
The short answer to this question is yes – it’s always a good idea to call the police to the scene of a car accident, even if it’s a minor one.
For one thing, the police can help to manage the logistics at the accident scene. They’ll direct traffic around your cars, call an ambulance if one is needed, and help to clear debris out of the road.
But the most important thing you get from calling the police to a fender bender is a police report. A police report is an official record of your accident. It includes pictures of the scene, witness statements and information, a description of what happened, and more.
If you wind up having to fight for a fair settlement, this can be invaluable evidence for your case.
You Might Get Blamed
Even if you walk away from an accident without injuries, you could still face serious danger. Although Florida is a no-fault state, it is still possible for one party to be held liable for damages in an accident. And one of the quickest ways for an insurance company to avoid having to pay a settlement is to turn blame around on you.
If you find yourself blamed for a car accident, the police report from your accident can be a powerful piece of evidence. Because it’s an official record, it’s a much better defense than a “he said, she said.”
Your police report can confirm your side of the story and help you avoid blame for the accident.
You Could Have Hidden Injuries
Although a car accident may seem minor at first, it may be more serious than it originally appeared. Often, injuries may take time to show up or to show how serious they are. You may not know at the time of an accident that you’ll need to make a larger settlement claim down the road.
If you discover later that your injuries are more serious than you initially thought, you may have a hard time proving that you got them in the accident.
A police report can help you prove that the accident caused your injuries. The pictures and accounts of what happened, combined with your doctor’s testimony, can show that your injuries originated there.
You Might Have to Fight for a Settlement
In spite of all the feel-good commercials and adorable geckos, the truth is that insurance companies are not on your side. They’ll use any tactic they can to avoid paying you a fair settlement. One of their first moves will be to discredit you and try to contest your account of what happened.
A police report gives an official account of what happened in your accident from an impartial source. It also provides witness information, which can be helpful if you need their testimony later.
All of this evidence can be key in building your case and getting the settlement you deserve.
Get the Representation You Need
At first, a fender bender may seem like no big deal, and calling the cops may seem like an overreaction. But you never know when you might need an official record of the accident. You could be blamed for the accident, you could wind up with hidden injuries, or you could find yourself having to fight for a fair settlement.
If you do end up in a fight for your rights, you need a strong personal injury lawyer by your side. At KW Stuart Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, our Stuart personal injury lawyers recovered more than $60 million for our clients, and we’re ready to go to bat for you, too. Schedule a free consultation with us today and start getting the representation you need.
Contact KW Stuart Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers For Help Today
For more information, please contact the Stuart car accident law firm of KW Stuart Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Martin County and its surrounding areas in Florida:
KW Stuart Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers – Stuart
73 SW Flagler Ave
Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 444-7000