No Accident Is Too Small

• Fender benders on the roadway are common. Many people involved in such collisions agree to forgo filing a police report. Generally speaking, however, deciding to not file a police report is not a wise course to take.
  
  Although an accident might seem very minor when it occurs, there are instances in which an individual who is involved in a seemingly minimal collision ends up suffering from serious injuries that are not detected at the time of the incident. In a similar vein, your own car may have more extensive damage than what is detected at the scene of the accident.
  
  

Contact Police Promptly

• Waste no time in contacting the police in the aftermath of an accident. If at all possible, leave the vehicles where they are situated following the accident. Only if there is a safety issue should you attempt to move vehicles before the police arrive on the scene.
  
  The most useful police report is one that not only is prepared at the time of the accident but one that is prepared before the collision scene is altered in any manner.
  
  

Infractions or Criminal Charges

• One of the primary reasons why it is essential for you to obtain a police report in the aftermath of an accident is to have an official record of what occurred if you find yourself charged with a driving infraction or even a criminal charge. With such a report in hand you will be in the best position to mount the most effective defense if you are charged following the accident.
  
  

Civil Lawsuit

• In some instances, an automobile accident is serious enough to warrant pursuing a lawsuit against the other driver. (In the alternative, you might face a lawsuit from the operator of the other vehicle.)
  
  If you want to sue following an accident, having an official police report is an important piece of evidence. The police report represents an independent and unbiased evaluation of what occurred in regard to the accident, including a likely statement as to who law enforcement believed to be at fault.
  
  Additionally, in many instances a police report can be valuable in mounting a defense should you face a civil suit because of an accident. There are individuals that will file suit against another driver even when the police report deems them to be responsible for the accident. If that is the situation you find yourself in, the police report is extremely important evidence.
  
  

Warning

• If you find yourself facing either the prospect of a criminal case or a civil suit because of your involvement in an accident, you need to understand that you are facing a very serious situation. The same holds true if you are considering filing a lawsuit yourself.
  
  Finding yourself in one of these situations, you need to consider seriously the importance of engaging the services of a well-trained and experienced lawyer. There are attorneys who specialize in these types of cases. These lawyers are in the best position to protect and pursue your legal interests.