Do You Need an Accident Report After a Pedestrian Accident?
With its temperate weather, Tampa is a great city to get around on foot. Unfortunately, pedestrians share the road with drivers and they do not always respect the rights of walkers. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there are approximately 10,300 pedestrian accidents in the state annually. These accidents cause approximately 8,000 injuries each year and nearly 800 fatalities.
If you have been hurt as a pedestrian, it is critical that you obtain an accident report. State law in Florida requires many types of accidents to be reported and obtaining a copy of the report can help protect your rights. Below, our Tampa pedestrian accident attorney explains what you need to know about obtaining a report after injury.
When to Obtain an Accident Report After a Pedestrian Accident
After any pedestrian accident, it is important to obtain an accident report as soon as possible. State law in Florida requires that people involved in crashes report the accident if it results in injury, death, or significant property damage. If police are not called to the scene, you can file your own report at a local police station as soon as possible after the accident. It is best to report pedestrian accidents immediately, as your memory and those of witnesses will be fresh and remember small details that may be very important.
Why Obtain an Accident Report After a Pedestrian Accident?
If you are going to pursue compensation after a pedestrian accident, having an official accident report provides you with a formal account of the crash. The accident report will document important details such as the location, time, and date of the accident. The accident report may also contain eyewitness accounts, which are very helpful when trying to obtain compensation.
Of all the different types of evidence used in pedestrian accident cases, the accident report is one of the most important. Insurance companies and the court will review the accident report when trying to determine who is liable for the crash. If you do not have the accident report, you may find it very difficult to obtain the compensation you justly deserve after a crash.
Additionally, the accident report becomes even more important if there are disputes regarding liability after a pedestrian accident. The report may contain observations made by law enforcement, including whether the driver violated any traffic laws that caused the crash.
Our Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Tampa Can Help You Gather Evidence
The accident report does serve as a vital piece of evidence in pedestrian accident claims, but there are others as well. At Moore Law, our Tampa pedestrian accident attorney can advise on the important pieces of evidence in your case and help you collect them so you obtain the full and fair damages that are justly yours. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney and to get the legal help you need after suffering an injury.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.066.html
flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/crash-dashboard/
