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Accident Report

After an accident — especially ones involving an injury — an investigation is conducted and police will write up an accident report. The accident report includes notations about physical evidence, witness statements and educated conclusions from trained officials, so why hire a personal injury attorney who will conduct a separate investigation? A recent situation from Moorestown, New Jersey, sheds a little light on the importance of seeking independent advice and assistance.

The situation involved a New Jersey car accident that occurred on Wednesday, April 10. After the incident, officers with the Moorestown Police conducted an investigation. During their investigation, they determined that one of the teenagers involved in the accident had provided them with false information.

In this instance, the 18-year-old provided false information about his own person. Possibly to avoid further problems with law enforcement. After the fact, the officers had determined that the teen had several outstanding warrants.

Witnesses lying to police or other investigative authority is more common than one might think. In some cases the lies are intentional. People may provide an officer with a false identity, drivers may claim that they were not texting at the time or they may say that the light was green not red.

In other instances, a lie may not be intentional at all but the product of natural human fault. Memories are not always accurate, and in some cases people say things that they think they remember or want to provide an answer even when they don’t really have one. For example, a person with less-than-perfect eyesight may have forgotten their glasses and may not be able to confirm certain details in the accident.

Not only will an attorney experienced in these types of cases be able to spot inconsistencies, but they will investigate beyond an accident report. They will look for the minute details that can help maximize the compensation that an accident victim may be eligible for.

Source: Moorestown Patch, “Teen lied to Officers During Accident Investigation, Police Say,” Rob Scott, April 15, 2013