One of the first things you need to do after getting into a car accident is call 911. They’ll send a police officer out to the scene. They’ll do a thorough investigation about the crash and try to determine who was at fault. Once they’re done, they’ll create a police report. This report will be the most useful tool for your Greenville car accident lawyer when it comes to proving your case.

Some people think they don’t need to call the cops after their accident. Maybe they’re in a rush and don’t feel like waiting for the cops to do their investigation. Or, they agree not to call the cops for some other reason. This is the biggest mistake you can make. Without a police report, it’s going to be your word against the other driver’s. And, when your accident attorney in South Carolina needs to file suit, there’s a good chance your damages can be reduced. There’s also a chance that you’ll lose, and you won’t get a dime.

Why Would Someone in Greenville Agree to Not Call the Police After their Crash?

There are all sorts of reasons why someone would decide not to call the cops after their motor vehicle accident. None of these reasons are good enough. Without the police, there’s no way to have proof of what happened.

However, that doesn’t mean everyone does what they should.
Some of the reasons a person would agree or decide not to call the cops include the following:

• They are on their way to work or an appointment and don’t want to take the time it takes for the cops to do their investigation.
• They don’t think they’re injured so they figure they won’t need to take any legal action
• The other driver agrees that they were at fault and promises to pay for any damage to your car.
• The other driver asks you not to call the cops for some other reason.
• You’re afraid the cops will issue you a ticket.

If someone is asking you not to call the police, there’s probably a good reason for it. Some of these may include:

• They don’t have a valid license or insurance
• They’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash
• They’re driving a stolen car
• They know they were at fault and have no intention of telling their insurance company the truth
• They have active warrants and are afraid they’ll get arrested

The bottom line is that there really is no good reason not to call the police.

Why is the Police Report So Crucial to Your Case?

In order to get you damages, your Greenville car accident lawyer needs to prove two things. First, they need to prove that the other driver was negligent. Second, they need to prove that you suffered some sort of injury. If they can do both of these things, there’s a good chance you’ll get the compensation you deserve.

In order to prove negligence, your South Carolina accident attorney needs to show the following four (4) things:

• The other driver owed you a duty of care – This is not difficult to do. Every driver owes every other motorists and pedestrian on the street a certain duty of care. At a minimum, they need to follow all traffic laws.
• They breached this duty – This is where your Greenville accident lawyer earns their fee. They need to show that the defendant did something that caused the crash.
• You were injured – In order to prove this, you need to show proof that you were hurt. The best way to do this to go to the hospital after your accident.
• Your injuries were caused by the defendant’s breach of duty – It’s not enough to show that you were hurt. Your lawyer needs to show that the accident is the direct cause of your injuries.

In order to prove this, your lawyer will need the police report. It’s the only evidence they really have to show what happened. And, because it is issued by an impartial body, the courts and insurance companies will treat them as credible sources.

Call Today and Schedule Your Free Initial Consultation

If you or your loved one are hurt in any sort of crash, you need help. Call an experienced car accident lawyer in Greenville and schedule your free initial consultation. Sit down with someone who’s handled cases like yours before. They can review your case and answer any questions you may have. They can also give you an idea of what your case is worth.