Can You File a Personal Injury Claim without a Police Report?

Apr 23,2018

It is always best practice to report an auto accident to the police, even if it seemed like a minor one. The police report is an official record of the accident, and it can become very important if you end up filing a personal injury claim.

However, there are some situations where a police report might not have been filed. Perhaps the accident occurred on private property, or the police report did not realize the severity of the accident. Or maybe the report was filed, but you were unable to contribute a statement because you were being taken to the hospital for your injuries.

You Can Still File a Claim

In such instances, you can still prove your case, but it will be slightly more complicated. An experienced personal injury attorney working on your behalf will significantly help in this process. Your attorney will need to collect evidence from other sources to help build your case. This may include speaking with witnesses, securing video footage of the crash, and possibly working with an accident reconstructionist to determine what happened.

It is important to note that California law requires you to report any accident that results in injuries or death, or results in more than $750 in damages. If you overlooked this after your accident, you could end up facing a penalty. However, it should not affect your personal injury claim.

“To avoid this scenario, make sure a police report is filed if you are injured in an accident. If your injuries prevented you from speaking with the police officer at the scene, let your personal injury attorney know that right away,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.