Dealing With the Police After a Car Accident
Car accidents are always unexpected and can be shocking for those involved. In the aftermath of a sudden car accident, drivers and passengers will face confusion along with physical pain from the crash. It is hard to know what exactly to do after a car accident and how to talk to the police when they arrive. Knowing what to say to law enforcement officers right after an accident is critical, and can affect a potential insurance claim or lawsuit. Here, we’ll talk about how to deal with the police after a car accident in Friendswood, Texas.
What To Do When Talking to Police After an Accident
When talking to police officers immediately after a vehicle accident, there are important “dos” and “don’ts” to follow. Below are some of the things you should remember to do:
- Wait for the police to arrive. After an accident, you should stay at the scene and wait for law enforcement to respond. Leaving an accident is actually illegal in Texas in most situations. If you are involved in a car crash that involves property damage, Texas law requires you to stay at the scene of an accident, or immediately return if you drove beyond the crash site.
- Provide basic information. When police ask you basic questions about the accident, you should give information such as your name and address, your driver’s license, your insurance information, and your vehicle registration.
- Answer questions simply and briefly. You should give details about your identity, vehicle information, license status, and insurance. You do not need to explain everything that led up to the accident or share details and theories about what you think happened.
- Get the officer’s information. If you are interviewed by a police officer, be sure to get their name, badge number, and contact information so you can obtain a copy of the accident report later. This can help if you need more details later for insurance or legal purposes.
- Identify witnesses. If you are able to identify witnesses while at the accident scene, be sure to point them out to law enforcement. Aside from the other driver, there might be key eyewitnesses at the scene for police to interview. Witness information and statements can be critical pieces of a potential insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Remember, how you interact with the police after an accident can have a significant impact on your legal and insurance outcomes.
What Not To Do When Talking to Police After an Accident
There are certain things you should never do when talking to law enforcement after a car accident, for various reasons. These include:
- Admitting fault. You are not required to discuss how the accident happened or who was at fault. Even if you think you shared some blame for a crash, do not admit fault for the accident. Insurance companies and defense lawyers will comb through a police report for any admission of fault on your part. This can reduce your ability to collect compensation you’d normally be entitled to.
- Speculating unnecessarily. If a police officer asks you a question you are not sure about, it is OK to say you don’t know the answer. Never speculate or take guesses about what did or didn’t happen. Such statements can also be used against you later.
- Resisting or confronting police officers. Law enforcement officers arrive at accident scenes to investigate the facts, not to pick and choose sides. Be cooperative and compliant with officers trying to ask questions. While it is fair to be angry about what just happened, turning your frustration against police officers can worsen the situation.
- Leaving the scene of the accident. As noted above, leaving the scene of an accident is illegal in Texas. Stay at the scene until police have completed their investigation, or you must leave to obtain medical help.
- Sharing unnecessary or personal details. Drivers at an accident scene often make the mistake of oversharing personal information or chatting about irrelevant topics. However, when such information becomes part of an accident report, insurance companies can latch onto any statement that weakens your personal injury claim.
After any accident investigation is complete, you should seek prompt medical attention. You should also contact an experienced car accident lawyer to discuss your options. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. A lawyer can help. Contact a Friendswood, TX Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Contact the Texas Personal Injury Lawyers of The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers.
If you were involved in a car accident in Friendswood, Texas, there are things you should and should not do when talking to police officers at the accident scene. You should also seek prompt medical treatment for any injuries and contact a Texas personal injury lawyer to learn about your next steps.
Please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to get a free initial consultation today. We have offices in Friendswood and Galveston, Texas. Call us at (281) 612-7550.
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Galveston Office
2101 Mechanic St. Suite 253
Galveston, TX 77550
409-904-0753
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Friendswood Office
312 S. Friendswood Dr.
Friendswood, TX 77546
281-992-8633
