Any car accident, whether a major or a minor fender bender, is a traumatic event that most drivers and passengers might experience in their lifetime.

Considering major accidents, there is no doubt that the police have to get involved, on the other hand, minor car accidents may not look as relevant for the police intervention. However, getting a police report when one is involved in a minor car accident is important for several reasons.

Legal Documentation

An incident report is an official legal paper that contains detailed information concerning the accident. This information pertains to among other things the date and time of the accident, the location and who was involved, the witnesses and how the accident happened. This document is very important, especially in case of any legal complications that may arise from the incident.

Insurance Claims

This is common because insurance companies ask their clients to present a police report to facilitate their claims process. This is helpful to insurance adjusters that provide insurance services where the clients claim they have been involved in an accident to be compensated. If one does not report to the police, the claiming process is a bit cumbersome and whether there was an accident may be contested.

Protecting Against Fraud

It is important to have a police report that will shield one from all the fraudulent claims made by people. However, there can be an abuse of this by some people in that they might fake their injuries or the level of damage to their car in order to be compensated highly. It means that receipt of a police report is essential to avoid fraudulent claims and to reveal the actual circumstances of the accident.

Accurate Record Keeping

A police report that is filed helps to provide a record of an accident that is correct. An important factor to bear in mind is that memories are not permanent, and details may blur with time or be inaccurate. A police report is written at the time of an occurrence; therefore, if there is any dispute or confusion in the future, one can always go back to the police report. Following a collision, you can contact your local law enforcement to obtain a copy of the report. 

Peace of Mind

At least one can feel secure after seeking police intervention when wounded. Simply knowing that there is a written account of the accident can help to preclude tension and ambiguity. This sense of security can prove of most importance when it comes to the other party to the accident they had been involved in. A police report helps if the other driver decides to become abusive or aggressive since there is an independent record of the accident.

Compliance with State Laws

Most states have laws which compel the drivers to report their car accident to the police if there is an injury or considerable property damage. In case of an accident, not reporting is under the law unlawful and one may be subjected to fines or other penalties. However, the small the accident looks, it may be wise to consult the state laws to see whether you have compounded the issue and what legal consequences you stand to face.

The process of getting a police report after a minor car accident is a crucial procedure that must be followed strictly. Some of the benefits include it offers essential legal evidence, assists in claim processing, shields against fraud, helps in record keeping, gives assurance, and deals with state legislation. The spare time that would be wasted in hospital billing offices in acquiring a police report is worth the effort and time as this helps drivers defend their stand hence ensuring a way out of the stressful ordeal.