Being involved in a car accident is a stressful experience. The aftermath of an accident is often time-consuming and confusing. If you find yourself in this situation, you may wonder what you need to do.
An important step is to file a car accident report. You may think this is unimportant; however, that is not the case.
In fact, in the state of Connecticut, you must report car accidents to the police, and it is best to do this as soon as you can. If your accident caused damages worth more than $1,000, it is required (by state law) that a report is filed within five days of the accident.
If you have questions or are wondering if this is necessary for your accident, contact Connecticut personal injury lawyers for assistance.
What to Know About Filing a Connecticut Car Accident Report
According to Connecticut motor vehicles law, all accidents must be recorded in an accident report. This legal document (Form PR-1) includes information related to the accident.
The information included in the crash report is helpful if you file a legal claim against the other driver for your injuries and damages. Also, most insurance companies will require a copy of this report if you file a claim.
Information to include in the claim includes the following:
- Location of the car accident
- Time and date of the accident
- Driver information
- Witness statements
- Diagram to show the movement of the vehicles and other factors
- Description of the conditions when an accident occurred
- Opinion of what happened from the officer at the scene
Filing this official report is an important step and is legally required in Connecticut.
If the police come to the accident scene, they will file the report. However, if they do not, you will be responsible for handling this.
Verify the Information Included in the Crash Report
Before filing the car accident report, you must verify that the information is correct. Take some time to review the information included.
Remember, even slight inconsistencies in the accident report can cause issues regarding establishing guilt and recovering compensation. It can also be challenging if issues arise when you file the report because of small miscommunications or mistakes in the car accident report.
It is smart to take extra time to review the information and ensure everything is accurate. It will help you avoid issues down the road.
How Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
The crash report is a vital component of any car accident claim. You must file this as soon after the incident as possible. If you have questions or need assistance, a Connecticut personal injury lawyers can help. They can also help you pursue compensation for your accident and the resulting injuries and damages if another driver’s negligence or recklessness was the cause of the incident.
Most personal injury lawyers provide clients with free consultations. During this consultation, you can find out if you have a viable claim that is worth pursuing.