While you have up to five days after a car accident to file a police report in Pennsylvania, the sooner you can do it, the better, because important details will still be fresh in your mind.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, a Philadelphia car accident lawyer may be able to help you get compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, and other expenses.
Pennsylvania Car Accident Reporting Requirements
In Pennsylvania, accidents must be reported to the police within five days if:
- Anybody was injured or killed in the crash
- There was more than $1000 of property damage
- Somebody fled from the scene of the accident
Although you have a few days to contact the police, our lawyers recommend that you file a report as soon as possible after the accident to ensure all the details are accurately recorded and to improve your chances of recovering compensation.
Have You Been Injured In An Accident? Contact Morelli Law
877-751-9800The Importance of Filing a Police Report
One thing to know about us at Morelli Law Firm is that we’re passionate about helping people get the compensation they deserve.
Filing a police report is an important first step in the journey toward getting money for your injuries after a crash that wasn’t your fault.
Here are some of the reasons you should file a police report as soon as possible after an accident.
Establishing Liability
To get compensation for your injuries, you must be able to prove that somebody else was liable for them.
When you file a police report, the cops will investigate the accident and determine who was responsible.
You can then hold the responsible party liable for your injuries.
Supporting Insurance Claims
Regardless of who was liable for the crash, your insurance company will likely want to see a copy of the police report before they pay for any damages.
Documenting Injuries and Damages
A police report will list injuries that people suffered and describe damages that the vehicles experienced.
This information will be important down the road, especially if you file a claim against the other driver.
Time Limits for Reporting Accidents in Pennsylvania
While it’s usually best to call the police immediately after an accident and have them come to the scene, you do technically have five days after an accident to file a police report.
The sooner you can report an accident, the stronger it can make your case if you decide to go after the liable driver for the damages you suffered.
Contact our personal injury lawyers today
877-751-9800Consequences of Not Reporting an Accident
You may face a wide range of consequences for failing to report an accident in Pennsylvania, including:
- Trouble getting your insurance claim approved
- Difficulty acquiring car insurance in the future
- Inability to pursue damages from the responsible driver
- Fines that may cost thousands of dollars
- Having your driver’s license suspended or revoked
- Criminal charges and possible jail time
Benefits of Consulting a Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a crash that wasn’t your fault, a Philadelphia car accident attorney may be able to help you get maximum compensation for your injuries.
Here are a few of the ways we do that.
Collect Evidence
Our experienced attorneys will collect evidence showing who is liable for the accident and therefore should be held responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
We’ll look for things like:
- Dashcam footage
- Surveillance videos from businesses near the crash site
- Bodycam footage from police officers who responded to the accident
- Traffic camera videos
- The police report
- Your medical records
Negotiate With Insurance Companies
Have you ever thought about the fact that insurance companies profit by paying out as little as possible?
Given an opportunity, they will try to bully you into accepting the smallest settlement possible, but you don’t have to let that happen.
The experienced attorneys at Morelli Law Firm can handle negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf, and we’re more likely to get you a fair settlement.
Go to Trial, if Necessary
When the insurance carriers refuse to offer a fair settlement, we’re more than ready to take your case to trial to get you all the money you’re entitled to for your injuries.
How Much does a Car Crash Lawyer Cost?
At Morelli Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis, so we don’t add any financial stress to your burdens during this difficult time.
Instead of asking you for money upfront, we’ll take a percentage of the money we get for you.
If we don’t get you any money, then you don’t owe us anything, so schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a car crash, don’t let the insurance company bully you into accepting a small settlement.
A Philadelphia car accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm can help you get the compensation you deserve.
We’ve used our 40+ years of combined experience to recover more than $1 billion for our clients, so schedule a free consultation today.
Call or text 877-751-9800 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form