When to Call the Police After an Auto Accident

Auto accidents can occur at any time; you could be backing out of a parking space at your local grocery store, stopped at a light or driving during rush hour. Regardless of the circumstances behind your auto accident, you should always call the police to file a police report.

There are many reasons you need to call the police following an accident including:

1. Determining who is at fault for the accident: If there was a traffic or motor vehicle violation, it’s important to have a police officer present to document the accident and potentially issue a ticket for the infraction.
2. Recovering damages from your auto accident: Your auto insurance and the other driver’s auto insurance company will require a police report before agreeing to pay for the damages to your vehicle.
3. Documenting injuries: It’s especially vital to call the police when an auto accident causes personal injury. This not only needs to be included in the police report, but you will also need to seek immediate medical attention to grasp the full extent of your injuries.

You may want to avoid calling the police if you’re in a rush to get to work or another obligation, but it’s important to stay put and wait for a full police report to be filed. This will help you immensely when it comes time to pay for repairs on your vehicle and any medical expenses involved.

If you or a loved one has been in an auto accident, call the police before leaving the scene, and contact our Prescott Valley car accident attorney at (928) 778-2660. The Jensen Phelan Law Firm, P.C. serves clients in Prescott Valley, Prescott, Sedona and surrounding areas of Northern Arizona.