If you, a relative or friend, are victims of a car accident in Clearwater and wish to obtain the car accident report, there are several things you can do to obtain it. If you plan on filing an insurance claim or lawsuit for compensation, the accident report is a crucial piece of evidence you will need to build a case.
Clearwater Car Accident Report Can Support Your Case
Obtaining a car accident report is a great place to start, especially if you intend to file a personal injury claim. This report contains information that will be the foundation on which your claim will be built. This includes the following:
- Names and contact information of the involved parties
- Details of the date, time, and location of the accident
- Each party's insurance company, including policy numbers
- Details of the road and weather conditions at the time of the accident
- Shows whether any of the involved parties broke any traffic laws leading to the accident
- Indicates the number of victims and their injuries
- Reports any damage to the vehicles involved in the accident
- General observations of the accident by the investigating officer
Ways to Obtain a Car Accident Report
A car accident report contains essential details to prove the other party's liability for the accident and protects your right to compensation. To obtain a copy of the car accident report, you can utilize one of the suggestions below.
File a Request with the Police Department
You can visit the Clearwater Police Department to request a car accident report in person, request it online through the department's website, or request that a copy of the report be mailed to you. If you decide to request the car accident report via mail, ensure that you include a check or money order for $10 payable to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
Request a Copy from Insurance Company
After an accident, the insurance company will usually contact you to begin compensation negotiations. If they do, you can request that they send you a copy of the accident report. But do not discuss the details of the accident with an insurance adjuster before speaking with your personal injury lawyer.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you contact a personal injury lawyer before accessing a copy of the accident report, you can ask that they do it for you. A car accident lawyer will use the information in the report to build your case for compensation.
Is a Car Accident Report Always Necessary After an Accident?
The law requires that you report any accidents that result in the injury of the parties involved or cause the destruction or loss of property worth a minimum of $500. Other accidents you must report include those where the driver flees the scene, where the driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident, or those that require the use of a tow truck.
What If it Was a Minor Accident?
Even though you don't have to file a report for minor accidents, it is still important to do so. Your car could have scratches, broken tail lights, and other dents after a minor accident and if you don't file a report, you will have to cover the repair costs out of pocket.
In addition, the extent of injuries is not always clear after a minor accident. Instead of dismissing any minor symptoms, seek a doctor's opinion. Remember that some injuries, like brain trauma and internal bleeding, are not always immediately evident.
What Should I Do If the Car Accident Report Is Inaccurate?
If you notice that the report is inaccurate, notify the relevant department immediately.
If an insurance company notices any misleading or inaccurate information in your report, they will use it to dispute liability and deny you compensation. To avoid this inconvenience, ensure that you correct any errors in your report as soon as possible.
Even though correcting an inaccurate car accident report should be a straightforward process, you may experience some resistance from the police department. If this happens, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help.
We Can Help Obtain Your Car Accident Report
If you delay obtaining your car accident report, it can interfere with the filing deadline for your personal injury claim.
To avoid missing out on critical deadlines after a car accident, contact a personal injury lawyer at The Dolman Law Group today. We will assist you in getting your car accident report and guide you on the legal options for getting maximum compensation for your injuries.