You may be wondering about the necessity of filing a police report after your accident in Connecticut — more so when you don’t suffer apparent injuries or extensive property damage. However, it is a decision that could have far-reaching consequences.
Before you make the call, you need to be aware of possible legal issues and potential litigation ramifications. Here is what you need to know.
You are better off informing the police
Connecticut law requires people to inform the police of a crash in specified circumstances. For example, you must notify law enforcement if your accident resulted in death, injuries, or property damage. Otherwise, you may be at risk of legal penalties like a jail term or hefty fines.
Still, it is advisable to report any accident to the police, no matter how minor it is. Unexpected scenarios may arise, and the decision to inform the police could help protect your legal rights.
A police report could come in handy if the circumstances of the accident are unclear, such as when questions about your contribution to the accident arise or the other driver’s state when the accident occurred.
Holding the negligent driver liable
Reporting the collision to the police is a crucial part of your insurance claim. Once you file the police report, you should get ready to navigate the claims process. You could be entitled to compensation if you suffered any damages from the other driver’s negligent acts.
However, you need to understand how the law operates in such claims. Learning more about the recoverable damages and what you need to do to bolster the chances of getting the settlement you deserve will go a long way in safeguarding your car accident claim.
