We’ve all been there. You get into a minor fender bender and the last thing you want to do is call the cops. You figure you have insurance. If you aren’t injured and there’s only minor damage to the car, why call the police? Often times, drivers agree not to call the cops after their car accident. The next thing they know, they find out that they are injured and need extensive medical treatment. Or, they learn that the damage to their car is a lot worse than they thought. Without a police report, it’s almost impossible to prove that the other driver was at fault.
There’s also another problem with not calling the cops. You have no idea who the other driver really is. You’re assuming that the information they gave you was valid. You could end up getting home and finding out that they gave you bogus registration or insurance information. If this is the case, there’s nothing you can do to fix it. It’s too late to go back and find out who they really are. And, your insurance company is going to charge you a deductible. On top of that, you’ll likely see your insurance rates go up. This is why Charlotte car accident lawyers always tell their clients to call the cops after a car accident. It doesn’t matter how minor the crash is. If you’ve been involved in any sort of motor vehicle accident in North Carolina, you need to call our office right away.
The Other Driver Could Have Ulterior Reasons to Avoid the Police
Just because the other driver seems to be on the up and up, that doesn’t mean this is the case. They may have a very good reason to avoid calling the police. For all you know, they could have outstanding warrants. Or, they may be driving a stolen car. If this is the case, the last thing they’ll want you to do is call the cops. Some of the other reasons why they would encourage you to avoid calling the police include the following:
- They are drunk or under the influence of drugs
- They do not have a valid driver’s license
- They don’t have insurance or their insurance lapsed
- They were speeding or breaking some other traffic law
Any of these reasons are good enough for them to try to convince you to avoid the cops. If they are drunk, they know you won’t be able to prove it once they drive away. Even if they give you correct contact information, that doesn’t mean you can prove they were under the influence at the time of the crash.
Without a Police Report, You Won’t Be Able to Prove Your Case
The information contained in a police report in North Carolina is very valuable. It includes a description of the accident scene. It also includes contact information for witnesses. These are the people who can best demonstrate that the other driver was at fault. Without a police report, your Charlotte accident lawyer won’t even be able to contact the witnesses. And, they’ll be no way for them to track them down. They also won’t have things like pictures of the accident scene. This is the sort of information you need to prove your case.
Call Our Office and Talk to an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Charlotte Right Away
Just because you agreed to not call the police after your crash, that doesn’t mean a lawyer can’t help. There are ways your Charlotte accident lawyer can help track down the other driver. And, it could be a matter of the other driver’s insurance company refusing to pay your claim. The other driver could have given a totally different version of events than what really happened.
If you’ve been injured in any sort of car accident, you should call and talk to one of our skilled accident lawyers in Charlotte right away. They can review your case and determine whether your claim is valid. They can also reach out to the defendant’s insurance company and try to negotiate a settlement of your claim. If this doesn’t work, you can always file suit.
Call today and schedule your free initial consultation with our office. It doesn’t cost a thing but it gives you a chance to ask any questions you may have. You can also get an idea of what your case may be worth.
