Should I Wait for a Crash Report Before Calling an Accident Attorney?

There are certain things all injured victims should do immediately after a collision. One of those tasks is calling 911 to request police assistance and a crash report. Most police officers have the training to determine who caused an accident and to document their findings accurately and adequately. Therefore, the crash report helps prove that the at-fault driver’s negligence caused the accident, which is necessary to recover damages in a Texas personal injury case. 

However, while police reports are beneficial, they are unnecessary to consult with an attorney or start the claims process under an automobile insurance policy. On the contrary, waiting for a police report can be detrimental to a victim’s claim. 

After a car wreck, the at-fault driver is likely to notify his or her insurance company of the accident. Once notified, the insurance company will assign an adjuster to investigate the claim. Contrary to widely-held belief, Texas law does not require a liability carrier to act in good faith when dealing with a third-party claimant (e.g., someone injured in a collision). Thus, it is likely that the investigation will aim to lower the claim’s value or even shift the blame towards the victim. 

Police officers have up to ten days to complete a crash report. If a victim fails to speak with an accident attorney during this timeframe, the insurance company gets an unfair advantage. This advantage is likely to result in a lower claim value or, worse, an underhanded attempt to settle a claim at an amount that does not cover all relevant medical bills. Most crash victims do not have formal legal training, and many do not have the experience to navigate the claims process successfully. Therefore, it is in a crash victim’s best interest to discuss the collision and all possible legal options with an experienced accident attorney as soon as possible, even if the police officer has not completed the crash report.

If someone else’s negligence has injured you or a loved one, you have enough things to worry about. Do not let dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance company be one of them. We deal with the insurance company so you can focus on getting your life back to normal. You have one chance to do this; make the right choice by choosing the right attorney. Call us at (956) 291-7870 or email us at contact@rdjlawyer.com for a free consultation and case evaluation.