What Role Do Police Officers Play After a Waldorf Automobile Accident?
If you have been involved in an auto accident here in Charles County, Maryland, shortly after the crash, the police were likely called and arrived on the scene. This is normal, and anyone involved in a Maryland automobile accident should understand that the police play an important role in the legal process of determining fault for accidents and in obtaining compensation for injured victims. If you have been in a Waldorf, Maryland, automobile accident, and it was not your fault, please call us at the Law Office of Robert R. Castro. We are qualified Charles County personal injury attorneys and are experienced in handling Maryland auto accidents. Call us at (301) 804-2312. Here is a brief explanation of the important tasks that police perform after a Southern Maryland auto accident has occurred.
Personal and Public Safety
Foremost among the tasks of Maryland law enforcement officials who arrive on the scene of an automobile accident is to ensure personal and public safety. The police will generally check for injuries of those involved in the wreck and call ambulances, paramedics, and the fire department when the crash is severe. Likewise, the police will remove vehicles or move them to the side of the road.
Collecting and Preserving Evidence
Second, Maryland law enforcement will undertake the task of collecting and preserving evidence. Such evidence will be vital to injured victims in their efforts to obtain ALL of the compensation which Maryland law allows. Examples of evidence that might be used later for injury insurance settlement claims and in personal injury lawsuits include:
- Photos of the accident scene and the vehicles involved
- Simple drawings of where the vehicles were positioned when the police arrived
- Physical evidence such as parts of the smashed autos
- Statements from victims and at-fault parties
- Statements and/or contact information from witnesses
Preparing the Police Report
In addition, shortly after the accident, Maryland law enforcement officials will prepare a police report. Such reports are often not allowed to be used as direct evidence in Maryland personal injury lawsuits, but they are extensively used in settlement negotiations and generally provide a solid foundation for collecting other types of evidence from witnesses and other sources. As noted above, since the police have typically questioned those on the scene, a police report will often contain statements from those involved. At minimum, such statements will help those present accurately remember and report what happened. The police will also record other potentially important information like:
- Location, time and date of the accident along with weather and road conditions
- Identity of persons present including drivers, passengers, witnesses, etc.
- Statement of fatalities and injuries and whether ambulances, paramedics and/or the fire department was called to the scene
- Identification of insurance for those involved in the accident
- Types of vehicles involved and damage
- Location of any traffic controls, dimensions of street/intersection, road markings and/or other relevant location details
- Simple drawings of where the vehicles were located at the scene
Potential Trial Witnesses
Finally, the role of the police in Maryland auto accidents might also include being witnesses at a Maryland personal injury trial. This is rare, but it occurs sometimes. Since the police officers were not present when the accident occurred, they cannot be fact witnesses. But, sometimes, they can be called to testify about what they saw and heard when they arrived on the scene.
Contact Waldorf, MD Personal Injury Attorney Robert Castro Today
This article has been provided by the Law Office of Robert Castro. For more information or questions contact our office to speak to an experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer at (301) 870-1200. We are Waldorf, MD Personal Injury lawyers. Our address is: 2670 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD 20601.
