What Does a Police Officer Do At the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident?

One of the first things you should do after a car accident is call 911. Emergency dispatch will send one or more police officers to the scene of your wreck as well as any other emergency responders that you need. When they arrive, police officers will immediately get to work. Read below to learn more about some of the actions they will take at the scene of your crash.

If you were involved in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in South Florida, call David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. With more than 30 years of experience handling injury claims, attorney Fuchs can be a strong proponent for you. Call today at (954) 568-3636 or use the online contact form to reach out.

Documenting the Scene

One of the primary reasons you will call the police is to document the crash. When a police officer arrives, they will gather information from both parties and record it on a crash report. Information collected includes:

• Names and contact information for drivers
• Names and contact information of witnesses
• Location of the accident
• Description of the vehicles
• Description of the accident
• Statements from parties involved in the accident
• Insurance information from all parties

The police officer may issue citations to drivers as well. We may use a citation as evidence of negligence; however, even if you were issued a citation, you may still be able to recover compensation.

You can get a copy of your accident report from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department by completing a Crash Report Affidavit. This is a step that attorney David I. Fuchs can complete for you. When attorney Fuchs handles your case, you can be hands off. He will take all of the steps necessary to gather evidence and develop a strategy to obtain the most money possible from the insurance company of the negligent driver.

Directing Traffic at the Scene

In addition to documenting the scene, police officers are tasked with directing traffic at the scene of an accident when the road is partially or completely blocked by the wreck. This can prevent secondary accidents that are common in South Florida.

Police officers often request backup or additional police to come to the scene if traffic redirection will be lengthy or there is a risk to the people who were involved in the initial crash.

Making Sure the Wreck Is Cleaned Up

It’s important to remove as much glass and debris as possible from the roadway after an accident. Debris in the road can damage other vehicles and cause additional wrecks. Police officers may call road crews to clean up after a car accident.

Police may also ensure that disabled vehicles are towed from the road before they leave the scene. Vehicles should be moved out of the way of moving traffic to prevent secondary crashes.

If You Were in a Car Accident, Attorney Fuchs Can Help

A car accident can be confusing. You may not be sure what to do next or how to deal with the aftermath. Contact an attorney who will pick up the pieces and let you recover peacefully. Call attorney David I. Fuchs today at (954) 568-3636 or use our online contact form today.