In law, the devil is in the details, and if your police report is missing critical details, your insurance claim settlement could be in jeopardy. Here’s why.

After a car accident, the police report becomes one of the most important pieces of evidence in your insurance claim or potential lawsuit. If the report is missing key information related to the claim, such as omitting a vehicle that was involved in the crash, it can have serious consequences if not handled correctly. Here’s what you need to know if a car isn’t included on your car accident police report.

Why a Police Report Might Omit a Vehicle

First of all, there are several reasons why a vehicle involved in a rear-end collision or other car accident might be left off a police report. Common examples include:

• The car left the scene before the police arrived (possible hit-and-run)
• Human error (perhaps the officer didn’t see or forgot to record the vehicle)
• The vehicle had minimal or no damage and wasn’t seen as “involved”
• Miscommunication between drivers and law enforcement
• A third vehicle was indirectly involved (e.g., causing a chain reaction) but not physically hit

No matter the reason, if a car involved in the accident is not listed on the police report, it can cause problems when trying to settle your claim. In addition to complicating or delaying your insurance claim, it may create doubt about how the accident occurred or make it harder to prove fault. Collectively, these issues can lead to lower settlement offers or denied claims altogether.

What to Do if You Notice an Error on the Police Report

If you notice that a car was left off the police report or any other error, call a Texas car accident attorney right away. Your lawyer will contact the police department and request that they write an amended report that accurately reflects the accident. Any supporting evidence you have will also be submitted to the police, including photos and video footage of the scene. This amended report will be used when you file an insurance claim.

Have Questions? Contact Us at McKinney Vos PLLC

Settling a car accident claim in Austin is far from easy, and errors or omissions in police reports can further complicate matters. Fortunately, when you partner with a trusted and experienced personal injury law firm, you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Moreover, many personal injury lawyers like us work on a contingency fee basis, which means our clients don’t pay a single penny of upfront costs. Instead, our attorney’s fees are a percentage of your final settlement. If we don’t win your case, you don’t pay a cent.

If you have questions about Texas injury and accident law, call us today at 512-457-8991. At McKinney Vos PLLC, we offer free consultations to discuss your options and see if you have a personal injury case.