What is the purpose of a police report in my injury case?

A police report serves several important functions in a personal injury claim:

It documents that the accident happened. If the at-fault driver or their insurance company later tries to deny the accident occurred, the police report is official proof.

It contains an officer’s preliminary findings. The report typically includes details about how the accident happened, road and weather conditions, witness statements, and sometimes the officer’s opinion on who was at fault. If the officer suspects intoxication, that will also be noted.

It preserves key information. The report includes insurance details, contact information for all parties, and witness contact information that may be critical to your case.

Even if police were not called to the scene, you can often file a report after the fact. Always obtain a copy of the police report and provide it to your attorney.