If you get in a Richmond car accident, you’re supposed to call the police. It’s actually the law. However, a lot of times, the drivers see that the damage isn’t too bad and agree to just exchange insurance information. They figure they can work things out amongst themselves and file a claim against their insurance if necessary. Sometimes it seems more convenient to do this.
It’s never a good idea to do this. No matter how minor the damage to your car, you should always call the police. Not only is it the law, but you never know when you may need a police report. You could find out the next day that you suffered internal injuries. Or, you may find out that the other driver gave you false insurance information. Once you drive away, there’s no way to get this information later.
Your Richmond car accident lawyer will always tell you to get a police report. There is valuable information in that report he cannot get any other way.
Richmond Car Accident Lawyers Know the Law
The law in Virginia requires you to report a car accident. This is outlined in several sections of the state statutes. According to Virginia statute 46.2-894, you must report a car accident in the following situations:
- Anyone was injured or killed
- Either of the cars were damaged
The law also requires that you report certain information in the event of an accident. Now, it’s easier just to call the police. They’ll come out and file a report. If, for some reason, this doesn’t happen, here is the information you need to report:
- Name
- Address
- Vehicle identification number
- Driver’s license number
- Car registration number
This information has to be reported to more than just the police. You have to report this information to the following parties:
- State police or local authorities
- Anyone who was hit or injured in the accident
- The driver and passengers of anyone who was hit in the accident
- The owner of any property that was damaged as a result of the crash
Although you can technically obey the law without calling the police, there are still very good reasons to do so.
Why Does Your Richmond Car Accident Attorney Need You to Call the Police?
There are important reasons to call the police aside from just following Virginia law. Your attorney is going to need that police report for many reasons. There is important information in there that you just can’t get any other way.
The police report contains the following vital information:
- Licensing and insurance information for the other drivers
- Pictures and a description of the accident scene
- Name and contact info for witnesses
- Eye witness statements
- Statements made by the drivers and passengers
- Road conditions
- Information regarding any tickets issued after the accident such as speeding or DUI
This last piece of information could be the most important. If police charge the other driver or arrest them for speeding, reckless driving or DUI, it is extremely valuable. Your Richmond car accident attorney can use this as evidence that the defendant was responsible for the accident. This will help him get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Richmond Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been in a car accident, you need to contact a Richmond car accident lawyer. Your lawyer will be able to help you throughout the claims process. He’ll deal with the insurance companies. He can also file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Your attorney will demand that you be compensated for your injuries. He’ll include the following damages in your claim:
- Medical Bills
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Property Damage
The defendant will be held responsible for these damages if you win your case. Your odds of winning your case are much higher if you have an experienced Richmond car accident attorney.
Call and schedule your free initial consultation as soon as possible. Make sure you bring the following to your first meeting with your Richmond car accident lawyer:
- Copies of the police report
- Correspondence from the other driver, his insurance company or attorney
- A copy of your medical records from the hospital
- Proof of any damage to your vehicle
- Timesheets if you’ve missed time from work
Your lawyer will use this information to get you as much money as possible. The consultation is free and you pay nothing untill you win your case.
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