Incorrect Police Reports: Can They Be Changed?
Car accidents cannot only be incredibly dangerous, but they can also become very complicated. In any car accident, everyone—the parties involved, witnesses, insurance agents, lawyers and even policemen who came out to the scene of the accident—has an opinion about what they think actually happened. Should your accident be taken to trial, one of the most important pieces of evidence you can have is a police report. But what if your police report doesn’t accurately portray what you believe happened? What if you feel the policeman was biased? As your key piece of evidence, you’re going to want to ensure that the official report from your accident is as accurate as possible. If it is not, it is also important for you to hire a personal injury attorney to make sure the correct facts are brought to the jury to defend your case.
Having a qualified personal injury attorney by your side throughout your accident trial has many benefits. For one thing, he or she can make sure that you stay informed through the duration of your case, and that you understand the complex details that could develop. In a case where you do not feel your police report truthfully represents what happened, your personal injury attorney could also attempt to have the report updated. While this is often hard to accomplish, it is important that you gather your evidence and consult with a personal injury attorney who can help you investigate the incident and get you on the right track. Do this as soon as possible. If there is even a question about liability, you want to make sure you attack this issue while it is still fresh in your mind.
The second thing you should do is tell your insurance company about the issue. Talk to witnesses, gather statements, get their contact information and file your own supplemental report. Make sure your lawyer and your insurance agent keep in contact. Police reports are oftentimes difficult to change, and you will want to have as many people on your side as possible to save you from any liability you should not be responsible for.