Car accidents aren’t something we ever want to think about. We don’t want to imagine a time when we or a loved one is injured or traumatized due to the actions of a careless driver. However, the stats show that they aren’t uncommon. So, it’s important to know more about the risks, what to do if you get in an accident, and why police car accident reports are so important.
The Most Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Michigan
Before we look at the importance of these police reports, let’s look at why you might need to file a claim and get one. According to stats from the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, there are over 312,000 traffic collisions in the state per year. That led to around 78,000 people injured and 1000 dead. Here are some of the common reasons why.
1. Speeding
Sadly, it isn’t uncommon to see people speeding on the roads. Drivers either push themselves over the speed limit on residential roads or go faster on the highway to save them. The problem is that even a small increase in speed can lower the chance of reacting and stopping in time. It can also make collisions more severe. Highway patrols and traffic schools can only do so much.
2. Reckless Driving
This one is a bit of a catch-all term. It basically means anyone who violates traffic laws and causes an accident as a result, such as disobeying traffic signals and running red lights. The latter can be devastating if it puts a car in a collision course with other drivers or pedestrians. Other drivers can cause accidents through illegal lane changes and tailgating. The bigger issue is that some drivers don’t realize they are being reckless. They may see violations as nothing more than bad habits.
3. DUI/DWI
Whether drivers are under the influence of drugs or intoxicated, they have severely limited motor functions and reaction times. They are not safe to be behind the wheel of a car, and can easily cause accidents. Worse yet, they may be so inebriated that they don’t realize what they have done and end up causing a hit-and-run.
Read also: Types of Vehicle Accidents You Should Be Aware Of
4. Fatigued driving
This one is a worryingly high cause of accidents on Michigan roads. Drivers who are too tired either lose concentration – leading to mistakes and violations like those above – or fall asleep behind the wheel. Fatigued driving often comes from people driving home after long shifts or failing to take rest stops on long trips. People who get on the road when dealing with high stress and sleep disorders are more dangerous than they realize.
Read also: Most Dangerous Roads in the World
5. Distracted driving
Again, this one isn’t uncommon these days with so many devices at our fingertips. Police are cracking down on texting while driving and insisting that people don’t use their phones. Still, even those that have GPS systems, phone mounts and hands-free calling aren’t 100% focused on the road in front of them. With so many different ways to get into an accident, many of which won’t be your fault, it is important to be on your guard. It is also vital to know what to do if you ever find yourself in a car accident.
What To Do After A Car Accident
The most important thing to do after any accident is to make sure everyone receives appropriate medical care. If you are the driver and caused injury to others, that person must be seen by medical professionals. Check-in with them to see how they are where possible.
If you experience an injury, you need to get checked out and receive a full medical report. This report will highlight the extent of any injuries caused by another careless driver, which you can use in your claim. Take care of all your medical needs first.
You will also need to cooperate with the police and make sure to file a report about the accident. They will probably be in contact with you anyway to get a statement so they can start their case against whoever was at fault. Make sure they have as much information as possible about the events leading up to the incident, your involvement, and what you can remember about the driver and vehicle responsible. This report will be of great use later when making a legal compensation claim. So, it also helps to learn how to get a car accident police report in Michigan or at your closest police station.
In addition to working with the police to make a criminal claim against the person responsible, you will need to make a claim with your car insurance company. Let them know what happened, the extent of the damage to your car, and anything else they ask for. Be detailed and give as much evidence as possible to help claim back some money for repairs.
Why Is This Police Report So Important?
Getting hold of that police report is important because it provides legitimate proof of the criminal case. Everything that is stated in the police report has been signed off on by you and the officers in charge of the case. This means crucial details regarding the damage and the guilty party. You can then use this report to help your case when making claims for compensation with a top Michigan auto accident layer.
This case could help you cover some of the financial hardships experienced after the accident, such as wage loss, medical costs and replacement services. Just make sure the report is completely accurate before using it to make a claim.
The importance of these police car accident reports highlights how crucial it is to cooperate after an accident. Even if you did nothing wrong, a detailed and accurate report could help you with your claim. This document could be the difference between winning compensation for a car accident at the hands of a careless driver and ending up with nothing. So, keep this in mind in case you ever find yourself in this situation.