Getting into an accident is stressful. Amid the chaos, it’s easy to miss a few essential things. One thing you may not be aware of is the police report from your accident.
If you were involved in an accident in Sugar Land, Texas, then the police department or sheriff’s office may have responded and arrived at the scene. When a law enforcement officer responds to an accident in Sugar Land, generally they will write a police report.
This report could be crucial if you need to file a personal injury or insurance claim related to the accident. An accident report is essential because it may:
- Indicate who is at fault;
- Mention possible injuries;
- Include a diagram and other details about the accident; and
- Have information about witnesses to the accident.
In many cases, a police report is one of the most critical pieces of evidence you will have. This report could make or break a personal injury claim. A police report might also indicate whether a police officer thought you were at fault for an accident.
While unpleasant, it is better to know this information beforehand, so you can explore your options on how to respond. The last thing you want is to be surprised by evidence that contradicts your claim.
What If a Police Officer Was Not Present?
If an officer or deputy did not respond to your accident, you might not have a Sugar Land police report. If there is not a police report, you may want to document the accident as best as you can.
Immediately after an accident, it is a good idea to take pictures of the damage and collect information from possible witnesses. Then, when you get home, try to recount the accident in writing with as much detail as you can. These steps could help you even if there is a police report.
How Do I Obtain a Sugar Land Police Report?
Sugar Land accident reports are usually obtained by the department that responded to the accident. Texas peace officers also file their police reports with the Texas Department of Transportation.
While it may be possible to obtain these records on your own, the process of obtaining a police report can often be overwhelming or confusing. Because of this, some people never bother to get their accident reports.
Obtain Your Free Sugar Land Accident Report
It is understandable to not want to go through the hassle of obtaining a Sugar Land accident report on your own. Fortunately, at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, we are willing to get your Sugar Land police report for you free of charge.
The last thing you want to do after an accident is to go back and forth with a government office to get a report. Let us take care of it for you. Our personal injury team has a lot of experience requesting these reports and handling personal injury claims.
If you have been in an accident, you have more than enough to deal with already. Contact us today for your free consultation and accident report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely nothing. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you owe us nothing unless we win your case, whether that’s in the form of a settlement or a judgment. We offer a free consultation to anyone who thinks they might have a personal injury case.
We suggest speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Something to keep in mind is that all personal injury cases need evidence, and that evidence often degrades over time. As a result, many jurisdictions have a strict statute of limitations (or time limit) for filing a claim. In Texas, most victims have only two years from the date of injury to file, so it is important to start building your case immediately.
In the state of Texas, employers have the option of filing for workers’ compensation insurance. This policy covers them in case an employee suffers an injury on the job. However, some employers choose to be non-subscribers, which means they opt out of this coverage and lose certain legal protections. This means that if an injured employee sues them after a work injury, they may end up paying more damages. In addition, they may be liable for pain and suffering, punitive damages, and medical benefits. Learn more about non-subscriber injuries here.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) keeps track of employers that report their non-subscriber status. Currently, you can find a spreadsheet of every reported non-subscriber business in Texas under TDI’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage verification page. This includes the business address, business name, and filing dates. Learn more here.
There are a few different ways to manage your bills while waiting for your case to settle. For medical treatment, it is common to arrange a lien with the doctor’s office or hospital. A medical lien is essentially an agreement to pay back your treatment costs with a portion of your potential settlement. Another option for miscellaneous bills, such as rent, utilities, or other essential expenses, is lawsuit funding. Much like a lien, you pay these loans back with a portion of your settlement or judgment. However, these loans have high interest rates and fees, so be sure to discuss this option with your attorney.