After an auto accident, the shock involved in the incident can lead to people making the wrong decisions. It’s essential to handle the aftermath of a car accident correctly — not doing so could prevent you from receiving compensation for your injuries.

Reporting your accident to the police is critical if you want to avoid a lengthy legal battle in court. In fact, in the state of Arizona, you must report your crash to the police if you believe the damage is over $300. Also, you must report the accident to the police if someone has been injured or killed.

If you’ve only been in a minor accident, you don’t have to report the accident to your insurance company. But you can still report the accident to the police.

If you’ve never been in an accident before, or you’ve never reported an accident to the police, it can be hard to know what to do. Below, let’s explore some more information about reporting an accident to police in Phoenix, Arizona.

CALL THE POLICE RIGHT AFTER THE ACCIDENT

First check to see if everyone is okay. Then call the police as quickly as possible. Call 9-1-1 and tell them what happened.

If the police decide to come to the scene of the accident, it’s essential to understand what they might ask for. Below, we take a look at some of the information the police are likely to collect:

• When the accident occurred (date and time)
• All personal details from those involved in the accident (names, addresses, etc.)
• Statements from each driver
• Statements from witnesses (and their contact details)
• Injury statements and notes
• Information about vehicle damage
• Accident scene diagram
• Road condition descriptions
• Weather conditions

STEPS FOR FILING A POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA

If you’re planning on filing a police accident report because of an accident, it’s important to do so correctly and completely. Below are the different forms of information that you might have to provide to file a comprehensive report:

• Use all the information listed in the previous section.
• Provide photo and video evidence of the crash scene and damages.
• Provide recordings of witness statements regarding the accident — including the details of witnesses.
• If the other person involved in the accident admits they caused the accident, ask them to sign a statement.
• If you are near any security cameras, you may want to include the locations of the cameras. You can also ask the owner of the cameras for evidence before it’s deleted.

It’s important to remember that the police may not always come to the scene of the accident, especially if no one has been injured. In this case, it’s critical to be proactive about filing the report.

DOUBLE CHECK THE REPORT

Once you file the police report, it’s crucial to get a copy so that you can check for accuracy. While the police do an excellent job of recording the details of traffic accidents, mistakes do occur. It’s much easier to have an error fixed at the time of filing than it is to have it changed later down the road.

If you want to ensure that the accident report doesn’t end up causing you a headache, check all the facts before you accept it.

SEEK EXPERT LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA

While reporting an accident to the police, it is critical to ensure the success of your claim. It’s also essential to engage with an attorney to ensure that you’re adequately represented. Unfortunately, many people forego the advice of qualified lawyers and leave themselves exposed to costly mistakes.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, getting in touch with an attorney will help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.