Following a car accident, you may not know whether to call the police. In most states, the law mandates those involved in a car accident to contact the police and file a police report. Under Maryland law, you are not always required to report an accident to the police. That being said, many people wonder when to report an accident to the police. Despite not having the legal obligation to contact the police in some cases after an accident, there are, however, many benefits to contacting the police at the scene of the accident. If you have recently been injured in a car accident, you’ll need a dedicated Prince George’s County Auto Accident Lawyer on your side. Keep reading to learn why it is critical to call the police after a car accident. 

Why is it important to call the police after an accident?

Regardless of the severity of the accident, if you are physically able to do so, the smartest move is to always call the police. As mentioned above, under Maryland law, you are not always required to contact the police. However, you are legally obligated to contact the police and report the accident under the following circumstances:

  • One or more of the parties involved in the crash suffered an injury.
  • There has been significant property damage and the vehicle must be towed.
  • One of the parties involved does not have a license.
  • One of the parties involved fled the scene of the accident.
  • One of the parties involved is intoxicated.

If one of the above scenarios occurs, you are legally required to report the accident to the police. If none of the following occur, it is still in your best interest to contact the police as they are a valuable resource. Firstly, the main reason to contact the police is to seek immediate medical care. Regardless of whether you feel fine, you may have sustained serious injuries that have delayed effects or are not visible. The responding officer can provide basic medical care until an ambulance arrives. Once it arrives, they can clear out an area for the EMTs to work and park. Additionally, they will block off the accident scene and redirect traffic to preserve the accident scene.

You may not realize the importance of protecting the scene of the accident as you are shell-shocked by the traumatic event that has just occurred. However, this is a crucial step to protect your rights and maximize your chances of recovering monetary compensation for your damages. The police will create a safe area to interview all of the parties involved in the collision. They will take witness statements and investigate the cause of the accident. After the accident, it is vital to have professionals evaluate the cause of the accident as they may be able to uncover whether one party violated a traffic law, thereby causing the accident. They can also test whether another motorist is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, most importantly, the responding officer will draft a police report. The police report will provide valuable information that can help you build a strong case if you decide to take legal action against the other driver.

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact our car accident lawyers today so we can help you secure the fair compensation you deserve.