Is it possible to file a car accident claim without a police report? You might not think so, but you can. Here’s the surprising truth about police reports in personal injury cases and how to obtain experienced legal advocacy. 

Police Reports Are Not Admissible In Court 

Contrary to popular belief, a police report is not considered “evidence,” nor is it admissible as such in a court of law. Because law enforcement officers are people too, a police report is considered hearsay. This applies not only to car accident and personal injury cases, but to other legal matters as well. 

They Are Helpful But Only As a Third-Party Witness 

Although police reports aren’t formal evidence, they are considered a witness testimony. Generally, reports from law enforcement officers bear more weight in court than say, a passerby who happened to witness the car accident. 

This is because a police report logs critical information, such as a description of the scene, the weather and road conditions, time and date of the collision, and more. Your information and the information of any other driver(s) involved in the crash will be written in the police report, which you can get a copy of after the officer who responded to the incident has completed it. It can sometimes take several weeks to get a police report back after a car accident. 

You Can (And Should) File a Police Report Yourself If Necessary 

If the officer who responds to the scene of the accident doesn’t file a police report or doesn’t do so in a timely manner, you do have the option to file one yourself. This can be done by simply going to your local police station and letting them know you’d like to file a report. You will be asked several questions about the details of the accident, so you’ll want to do this as soon as possible. 

Bring your notes, photographs, and any other evidence you have to the police station with you to be logged. Even though accidents are treated as witness testimonies versus evidence, they’re still extremely valuable to have. That said, you can still pursue a personal injury case without one. 

How a Competent Los Angeles Traffic Accident Attorney Can Help You 

If you or someone you love has been in a car accident, you deserve restitution for damages you incurred as a result. Contact Lewin Law Group today for a consultation by calling 888.603.0201.