• ES
Menu
  • ES
  • Call 210 225 0909
  • Live Chat
  • Request a Free Consultation
  • Available 24/7

210 225 0909

Injured in an accident? No fee unless we win.
Call now
Call Now 24/7
  • Practice Areas

    Accidents

    • Car Accidents
    • Truck Accidents
    • Slip & Fall
    • Pedestrian Accidents
    • Workplace Accidents
    • Construction Accidents

    Injuries

    • Catastrophic Injuries
    • Wrongful Death
    • Traumatic Brain Injuries
    • Spinal Cord Injuries
    • Product Liability
    • Dog Bites

    More practice areas

  • Locations
    • San Antonio
    • Austin
    • Dallas
    • Texas
  • About Us
    • George Salinas
    • Interviews with George Salinas
    • Testimonials
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • ES
Menu
  • ES
  • Practice Areas
    • Accidents
      • Car Accidents
      • Truck Accidents
      • Slip & Fall
      • Pedestrian Accidents
      • Workplace Accidents
      • Construction Accidents
    • Injuries
      • Catastrophic Injuries
      • Wrongful Death
      • Traumatic Brain Injuries
      • Spinal Cord Injuries
      • Product Liability
      • Dog Bites
  • Locations
    • San Antonio
    • Austin
    • Dallas
    • Texas
  • About Us
    • George Salinas
    • Interviews with George Salinas
    • Testimonials
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Menu
  • Practice Areas
    • Accidents
      • Car Accidents
      • Truck Accidents
      • Slip & Fall
      • Pedestrian Accidents
      • Workplace Accidents
      • Construction Accidents
    • Injuries
      • Catastrophic Injuries
      • Wrongful Death
      • Traumatic Brain Injuries
      • Spinal Cord Injuries
      • Product Liability
      • Dog Bites
  • Locations
    • San Antonio
    • Austin
    • Dallas
    • Texas
  • About Us
    • George Salinas
    • Interviews with George Salinas
    • Testimonials
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Inicio › Blog › Do You Need a Police Report to File a Car Accident Claim in San Antonio?

Do You Need a Police Report to File a Car Accident Claim in San Antonio?

  • Posted on: January 28, 2022
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp
Share on email
Email
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on whatsapp
Share on email

There’s no law or technical requirement that you have a police report to file a San Antonio car accident claim. Still, there are many good reasons to make a police report after a car accident, and to obtain a copy of that report. One key reason is that you may be breaking the law if you don’t. But, that’s far from the only reason to document your motor vehicle accident with the proper authorities. Police report in a car accident in San Antonio

Reasons to Make a Police Report after a San Antonio Car Accident

Here are some of the most significant reasons to contact the police after you’ve been involved in a Texas car accident.

You May Be Legally Required to Make a Police Report

Texas law requires people who have been involved in an automobile accident to call the police immediately in several different circumstances. These include:

  • When someone is killed in the accident
  • When someone is injured in the accident
  • When any vehicle is damages to the point that it can’t be driven normally

You’re also legally obligated to call the police in certain other situations, such as when you damage someone’s property and can’t locate the owner.

It’s also in your best interest to call the police right away if you believe the other driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if someone involved in the accident doesn’t have insurance or leaves the scene without exchanging the required information.

Generally, if you’re not sure whether or not you need to call the police, make the call. Failing to fulfill certain legal obligations after a motor vehicle accident can result in criminal charges.

The Police Report Provides Documentation of Key Facts

Sometimes, it’s in your best interest to get a police report even if you aren’t legally required to do so. The information contained in the report may help you with your San Antonio car accident claim in many different ways, from documenting information that you may not have been aware of or may not recall after the crash to providing exact time, location and other information your attorney may need to investigate.

If the other driver was speeding, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or otherwise violated traffic safety laws, the police may make a determination of fault. They may even issue a ticket to the responsible driver for disregarding a traffic signal, driving too fast for conditions, or some other action that will help you prove the other driver was negligent.

How a Police Report Can Help Your Car Accident Claim

Insurance companies don’t like to pay claims. Their entire business model relies on taking in more money in premiums than they pay out for property damage, medical care, and other losses. If there’s a reason to deny a claim or minimize the amount of compensation, they’re likely to take advantage of it.

If you’re in a car crash and don’t have a police report, the insurance company has only your word–and perhaps the word of the other driver–that the collision happened at the time and place you claim, and in the way you describe. Even that very basic information may be critical when you have to prove that your injuries and other damages resulted from the accident.

You can obtain a copy of your San Antonio car accident report for your records, or to share with your attorney, for a small fee.

Reporting Your San Antonio Car Accident

If a motor vehicle crash is serious enough that someone is seriously injured, or if cars are damaged in such a way that they may present a danger, you can dial 9-1-1 on your cell phone to reach the proper authorities. The 911 dispatcher can send police and, if necessary, an ambulance.

If it’s not an emergency, here’s how to determine who to call:

  • If you’re in a municipality–for instance, in the city of San Antonio–call the local police department
  • If the accident occurs outside city limits, call the local Sheriff’s department

If the crash takes place outside the city limits but within 100 feet of the municipal boundary, you may contact either the city police department or the Sheriff’s department.

Talk to a San Antonio Car Accident Attorney

Contacting law enforcement to get a police report after a car accident is just the first step toward protecting yourself and your claim for damages. To avoid potentially costly mistakes, missed deadlines, and other pitfalls, it’s best to talk to an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

At the Law Offices of George Salinas, we understand how important it is for people who have been injured in car accidents to have reliable, accurate information about their rights and options. That’s why we offer free consultations to San Antonio car accident victims. Contact us right now to schedule yours.

Did you find this post useful? If so, you may also like:

  • What if I’m Partially Responsible for a Car Accident in Texas?
  • Everything You Should Know about a Negligence Claim

Search the Blog

Search

Categories

Categories
  • Accident and Personal Injury Guides
  • Blog
  • Car Accident Guides
  • Corporate
  • General
  • Help for Austin
  • Help for San Antonio
  • Help for Texas
  • Legal advice
  • Work accident guides

Recent

Recent Posts
  • Preventing oil rig hazards and explosions in Texas May 18, 2022
  • Common oilfield accidents in Texas May 12, 2022
  • Texas has some of the highest rates of drunk driving nationwide May 4, 2022
  • All You Need to Know About Move over Laws in Texas April 28, 2022
  • How does the Texas Good Samaritan Law protect you? April 22, 2022

Office

6243 IH-10 West, Suite 955
San Antonio, TX 78201

LETS TALK

We’re here to help
Request a Free Consultation

Phone: 210-225-0909
Fax: 210-960-4604

San Antonio

Car Accidents Lawyer Truck Accidents Lawyer Workplace Injury Lawyer

Texas

Personal Injury Lawyer

AUSTIN

Personal Injury Lawyer

©2022, George Salinas Injury Lawyers. All Rights Reserved.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.