After a car crash that isn’t your fault, you may have to wait for the police to complete their investigation so you can get a copy of the accident report. The police report is vital for a car insurance claim and personal injury lawsuit.
How long does it take police to investigate a car accident? The timeframe largely depends on the severity of the wreck and the complexity of the case. In this article, we’ll explore the factors affecting accident investigations and how a car accident lawyer in Albany, Georgia can gather additional evidence to support your case.
Factors in How Long It Takes Police to Investigate a Car Accident
The time it takes police to investigate a car accident primarily depends on the severity of the crash and the complexity of the case.
It may take police a few days to investigate a minor collision where the cause of the wreck is clear. However, if the accident involves serious injuries or fatalities, the investigation can extend to several weeks or even several months.
Here are several factors affecting the timeline.
Crash Severity
The seriousness of the car wreck plays a significant role. Often, police investigate minor accidents involving property damage within a few days. In contrast, serious injuries or fatal car accidents require a more thorough investigation. The investigative process for significant injuries or fatalities can take weeks or even longer.
If one driver may face criminal charges, such as vehicular manslaughter in a fatal car crash, the investigation can be very time-consuming. Evidence must be carefully collected, analyzed, documented, and preserved for a criminal case.
Number of Vehicles Involved
It takes police longer to investigate crashes involving multiple vehicles. Police officers must take statements from each driver and all passengers. Determining the exact chain of events can also be challenging and time-consuming.
Available Evidence
The availability of witnesses and clear evidence also plays a crucial role in the timeframe of accident investigations. Surveillance footage and numerous eyewitnesses can speed up the process while conflicting witness accounts and lack of evidence complicate and drag out the investigation.
Hit and Run Accidents
It takes longer for police to investigate a hit-and-run crash since police officers must search for the driver who fled the accident scene. A hit-and-run accident can lead to criminal charges, ranging from a misdemeanor offense to a felony.
How Police Investigate a Car Accident
Police officers are typically the first to respond to car accidents. Their initial task is to secure the accident scene to prevent further harm. They will gather basic details such as the date, time, and location of the crash. This information helps set the foundation for their investigation.
Once the scene is secure, police will identify and record all parties involved. This includes drivers, passengers, and any potential witnesses. Next, police officers will interview drivers, passengers, and witnesses. These interviews provide firsthand accounts of what happened, which is crucial for piecing together the sequence of events.
A police officer will document vehicle damage and take photos from multiple angles. This visual evidence can be pivotal in determining the extent of damage and the possible causes of the accident.
Physical evidence like skid marks and debris is also collected. These elements can offer significant insights into the mechanics of the crash. Reviewing surveillance footage from nearby cameras can provide additional perspectives and confirm or contradict witness statements.
The investigating officer will then compile all this information into a comprehensive report. This report includes the officer’s assessment of what caused the accident and any contributing factors. The information in this report is vital for insurance claims and any potential legal actions that might follow.
Steps With Serious Injuries or a Fatal Car Accident
After a wreck with serious injuries or a fatal car accident, the police will conduct a thorough investigation. This may include calling in an accident reconstructionist to help determine what caused the crash.
When dealing with a fatal car accident, the police investigation becomes more exhaustive. Forensic teams are deployed to fatal accidents to gather and analyze evidence. In fatal accidents, the police will often work closely with medical examiners to determine the cause of death.
Importance of the Police Report for Insurance Claims and Legal Action
The accident report plays a critical role in auto insurance claims and lawsuits. This document provides an official account of the car accident, detailing the events leading to the crash, the parties involved, and the physical evidence collected at the scene.
In most cases, the insurance company will rely heavily on the crash report to determine fault and process the car accident claim.
The police report is important evidence in a personal injury lawsuit. Lawyers use the report to build their cases, identify witnesses, and gather additional evidence. If the report indicates negligence, it can strengthen the case against the at-fault driver.
An Albany Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Uncover Additional Evidence
By enlisting a skilled Albany car accident lawyer, you gain access to resources and expertise that can uncover additional evidence. This can be crucial for a personal injury lawsuit.
Independent Investigation and Witness Interviews
Police investigations are thorough, but a car accident lawyer will search for additional evidence. An attorney may obtain traffic camera footage or vehicle black box data.
Vehicle black boxes, also known as Event Data Recorders (EDRs), collect crucial data before, during, and after a collision, such as vehicle speed, brake usage, throttle position, and airbag deployment. This data can be pivotal in car accident cases as it helps determine the cause of the crash, establish fault
A lawyer can re-interview witnesses to learn additional details. They may find witnesses who were not initially contacted. More testimonies can strengthen your case, especially if there are disputes about who is at fault.
Expert Witnesses and Accident Reconstruction
Expert witnesses play a key role in complex car accident cases. Car accident lawyers often work with medical experts who can testify about the impact of injuries on a victim’s life and the costs of ongoing treatment. This can help support your case for compensation.
An experienced car accident lawyer can enlist the help of an accident reconstruction expert to provide a clearer picture of how the accident happened.
Contact Joe Durham for a Free Consultation
At Joe Durham, our Albany, GA personal injury lawyers have extensive experience dealing with car wrecks and helping the victims get the compensation they deserve. Our first consultation is free, and we will let you know how strong your chances are and how much you can recover.
Contact us today at 229-210-6226 for a free consultation.
