How Police Investigate A Car Accident Scene

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When a serious car accident happens and emergency personnel is contacted, local police officers will report to the scene and begin to investigate the crash. They'll investigate every aspect from the weather and conditions at the time of the accident to the damage sustained by both vehicles, the injuries sustained, and any debris left on the road. The information and evidence obtained during the police investigation will be used by insurance companies and any accident lawyers involved to determine why the wreck occurred, how it occurred, and who played what role in causing it.  

Here are some tasks the police officers will do during their investigation at the scene of the accident or shortly after: 

• Take statements from anyone involved in the accident, including drivers and passengers. If you were a driver, be careful not to admit to fault at this time. Admitting to a fault before all facts and evidence of the investigation can be determined may harm the outcome of the case. 
• Take statements from anyone who saw the accident happen. Any nearby eyewitnesses will be interviewed. 
• Test and arrest any drunk or drugged drivers that were involved in the accident. These drivers will be held on criminal charges.
• Take photographs of the scene, the damaged vehicles, any debris in the road, and any identifying features that may have contributed to the crash like obscured road signs.
• Create or draw a diagram of the scene. 
• Assess any traffic or driving violations that may have contributed to the crash.

All of this information and any physical evidence collected will be compiled and used to create a police report. This report will contain their findings and all of the facts of the accident.

The police report may or may not conclude with an assignment of fault. In many cases, those compiling the report may leave it inconclusive if there are more facts that need to be determined. If someone on the scene was severely injured and is undergoing surgery, for example, the report may remain inconclusive until the police can speak to the injured parties in more detail. 

It can be beneficial to request a copy of the police report if one isn't provided to you in order to ensure nothing is incorrect. In most U.S. states, you can request a copy of the police report either online or by mail. If you have hired a car accident lawyer to investigate your case, they will go over every detail on the police report to ensure it's accurate and that no evidence was left undiscovered. 

To learn more, consult a car accident lawyer.

8 June 2023