When you are involved in a car accident, the steps you take matter. Your decisions can strengthen your claim or negatively impact it. And one of the decisions you need to make is whether to call the police or not.
Here is what you should know:
Sometimes it is a legal obligation
Maryland law makes it obligatory that you call the police to report the accident when any of the following is true:
- Someone is injured
- Your vehicle cannot be safely moved off the roadway
- The other driver appears to be intoxicated
- The driver doesn’t have a license
- Public property has been damaged
- The driver tries to leave the accident scene without giving you the proper information.
If the accident you are involved in does not meet these requirements, the law does not obligate you to call the police, but it’s best to do so anyway. You also need to ensure you exchange details with the other driver.
A police report can help your car accident claim
The police will gather evidence at the scene, which may include pictures, videos and witness statements. These, combined with the police report can help clarify why the collision happened.
There’s a lot to remember when involved in a collision, and the police are better placed to remember it all than you, especially as you will probably be in shock. So do not hesitate to call them.
Afterward, you may want help from someone with the necessary knowledge and experience to compile your claim and increase the chances you get the compensation you deserve.