If you are involved in a motor vehicle crash in which a person is injured and/or there is damage to a motor vehicle or other property, you must immediately stop your vehicle at the scene and call the police and give information and assistance. Documenting the occurrence is an essential step. The law provides for criminal penalties and the possibility of imprisonment if you do not stop at the scene of such an accident in which you are involved.

Your first responsibility under such circumstance is to render assistance to anyone injured in the motor vehicle crash, if you are able. You must then notify the nearest police department by calling 911, if you are able. You are required to give your name, address, registration number of the vehicle you are driving, and insurance or financial responsibility information to all other drivers involved in the motor vehicle crash. Furthermore, be certain to provide accurate, detailed and thorough factual information to the investigating police officer.

If the police do not investigate at the scene of the accident, you must notify the police department closest to the motor vehicle crash as soon as possible. Notification of the motor vehicle crash is especially important in the event that the crash is caused by the wrongdoing of another who is without insurance, necessitating a claim for uninsured motorist benefits. In such circumstance, you must have contacted a police department and have written verification of same within thirty (30) days of the event or you may be precluded from making such a claim.

Generally, in an effort to make certain that there is sufficient evidence available in the event that you make a civil claim for monetary compensation for your damages, it is extremely beneficial to have documentation with regard to the occurrence itself. You should do everything possible to guarantee that a thorough police investigation is undertaken. If there is any doubt, always request that a report be prepared.

Once the police investigation and report thereof are completed, police departments in Pennsylvania shall, upon request, provide a certified copy of the full police accident report at a cost not to exceed fifteen ($15.00) dollars to any person involved in the accident, his/her auto accident attorney or insurance company.

Call an auto accident attorney at Katherman Briggs & Greenberg today.