What is the importance of the police report in a car accident claim?

Usually if you are injured in a car crash, law enforcement will make a record of the accident in the form of a police report. However, police reports are considered inadmissible in a trial but they can be used by seasoned legal representatives as an indispensible negotiating tool during settlement meetings with the insurer.

This car used to be new. It is not new anymore and if the driver of this car was not at fault, they are due a new or a newer car and then some by the at fault driver. This is when a Basking Ridge, NJ accident lawyer comes into play. 

How to use the police report in your personal injury settlement claim outside the court

Basking Ridge, NJ accident lawyers suggest that before settlement negotiations can begin in earnest it is prudent to obtain the police report from the concerned department. Most often accidents are attended to by officers from the Highway Patrol or County Sheriff’s Department. You can obtain the report by simply calling the correct department. Every state has their own highway patrol. But in New Jersey they are referred to the New Jersey State Police (NJSP).  

Remember even though police reports are considered as hearsay in courts they are vital when you are negotiating a settlement claim. Before making a pitch for compensation, you must gather all the vital information including medical records, income loss reports, bills, police reports, and physical evidence from the accident site, and attach copies with the demand letter. Now your demand letter has some meat to it.

The demand letter will provide all the facts of the case in a concise fashion including how the accident happened, the nature of injuries, treatments you received, expenses you incurred, and the amount of compensation you expect for the accident claim. Remember all the cash the South Africans had in Lethal Weapon II at the end in the trailer that eventually spilled into LA Harbor? Do not expect to receive that much money. That could be pushing it.

But if you press the right buttons, do your homework, submit a concrete demand letter, you should be in suitable hands.

The police report is important because it contains salient information pertaining to the settlement. It will have the date on which the accident happened, the weather conditions, names of witness, and other information. New Jersey accident attorneys say that since police reports have contact details of the witnesses, you can call them up to attend a deposition or ask them to testify in the event the case goes to trial.

This process is not that straightforward. It may seem to be but it is not. This demand letter is not something you want to try to submit yourself. You may think you have if figured out but you do not. Would a lawyer try to do your job? Could a lawyer do your job without any training? Click right here Accident.USAttorneys.com. Legal help is right around the virtual corner.

Distracted driving is causing lots of accidents in the contemporary world.  

Why are police reports inadmissible in trial?

Police reports are considered inadmissible because they are chiefly unsworn statements made by a person outside the courtroom and without direct knowledge of the incident. Moreover, the report described the actions and statements of another person.

For example, if George says that Mary told him that Frank tripped and fell then it is hearsay. This is exactly what police reports are. The officers in a majority of cases have not witnessed the crash. Basking Ridge, NJ accident lawyers point out that police usually write the report based on version of events relayed by another individual. However, if a police officer administering a sobriety test or is just driving by when the accident occurred then you can say they have witnessed the accident then their testimony is not hearsay.

Another reason is that cross examination of police reports are not permitted under the law. Any evidence that is presented in court must be subjected to questioning.

If you have been injured in an auto accident and are suffering physical discomfort and financial stress caused by a negligent driver then waste no time in engaging a New Jersey accident lawyer. You have right to be adequately compensated for your financial losses and pain and suffering. This is not Cuba, human life and the rule of law matter in this country.