Do you need to notify the police if you are involved in a car accident or not? In some states, it's a law, and in others, it may or may not be required. Or, you may only have to call if there's a certain amount of damage. Since people usually have no idea and have questions after an accident, we will discuss the specific requirements in the state of Connecticut.

You may have many questions. While doing your own research is good practice, speaking with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Connecticut to get direct and specific answers will prove to be the most valuable. The attorney team at Brandon J. Broderick has the experience and knowledge to help in car accident cases. Call us today for a free consultation.

Calling The Police After a Connecticut Car Accident: Is It Required?

In Connecticut, state law requires those involved in an auto accident to file a Uniform Police Crash Report. This must be done within five days of the accident if the damage sustained exceeds $1,000.

You won't have to do this individually because the police will submit the report from the accident scene. When police are called to the scene of an accident, specific details will be noted by the officer in their official accident report, which can later be used to identify who was at fault. They will also assist you in avoiding a fine for failing to submit your report on time.

What Details Are In The Police Report?

Most of the information you need for your insurance claim, any settlement discussions, or litigation stemming from the accident will be present in the police report. Some of this information will consist of:

• The accident's date, time, and place
• The officer's account of the accident's severity
• The officer's narrative of what happened
• Identification details for all parties
• Names, addresses, & phone numbers of all parties
• Insurance information
• Information about injuries suffered
• If an ambulance was called
• If anyone was transported to the hospital
• Description of damages to all vehicles
• Description of the weather and any conditions that may have played a part in the accident
• A diagram of the accident
• Officer's assessment of the cause or who is at fault

The accident details and information will prove to be helpful as you prepare your insurance claim or your initial meeting with a Connecticut car accident lawyer. If you didn't request a copy at the scene of the accident, you can download it from the website of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Police Reports Are Admissible In Connecticut Courts

State law governs whether a police report is admissible. The reports are not admissible in certain states, although Connecticut does so as an exception to the hearsay rule for business records.

In order to help with your case, it would be helpful to give a copy of the police report to your lawyer at your initial meeting. This can save a lot of time and is important to your case.

Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney At Law, Can Provide The Support You Need

Sometimes, the settlement process, negotiations or litigation in a car accident case can be drawn out and challenging. Brandon J. Broderick has years of experience in dealing with car accident cases across Connecticut, as well as New Jersey and New York. Our team makes it our priority to provide our clients with the best quality legal service possible, so they can walk away with a resolution that they are happy with.

For a free consultation to discuss and assess your case, get in touch with us today.