How Do Police Investigations of Fatal Clearwater Car Accidents Work?
January 4, 2024 | Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers | Car Accident
Losing a loved one in a car in a car accident is devastating. If you and your family lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, you may be able to claim compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. This compensation may help cover medical costs, property damage, funeral expenses, lost income, and more.
In the aftermath of a fatal car accident, law enforcement will complete a car accident scene investigation and report. This report can be helpful toward the success of your legal claim.
However, fatal car accident investigation procedures are complex, and the process can be frustrating or confusing to the victim’s family members. Understanding the steps to a fatal car accident investigation can help clear up some of this confusion.
What Are the Steps Involved in a Fatal Car Accident Investigation?
While the circumstances of each fatal car accident may require a slightly different approach to investigating the accident, here are the basic steps to a fatal car accident investigation.
Step 1: Arrive at the Scene and Assess the Accident
When a law enforcement officer is called to the scene of a car accident, they will make initial observations of the scene and begin to assess the accident. This may include observing the location of the vehicles, the victims, and any immediate dangers present—such as a fire or any hazardous spills.
Step 2: Secure the Scene and Render First Aid
Law enforcement officers may begin to divert traffic away from the accident to ensure the safety of anyone at the scene and other drivers. This will also help protect evidence at the scene that is connected to the accident.
If law enforcement arrives prior to emergency medical services, they will begin to render first aid at the scene.
Step 3: Interview Drivers and Witnesses
The law enforcement officer will then interview the drivers, passengers, and other witnesses who are available to speak and record their statements.
Step 4: Document Evidence at the Car Accident Scene
As part of the investigation, the police will document evidence at the crime scene related to the crash. This may include photographing skid marks, debris, the location of the victim’s body, and the vehicles.
Step 5: Examine the Vehicles Involved in the Fatal Crash
The police will examine the car or cars that were involved in the fatal accident. They may take note of the condition of the brakes and tires, record the extent of the damage to the vehicle, and more.
Step 6: Record Other Contributing Factors to the Accident
As part of the investigation, law enforcement should also record any other conditions that may have contributed to the fatal accident. These may include the weather, traffic, the condition of the vehicle before the accident, speeding, and whether drugs and alcohol were involved.
At this point, law enforcement may also determine if criminal activity was involved in the accident or if criminal charges are warranted.
Step 7: Prepare the Fatal Accident Report
Once they’ve gathered the necessary information, law enforcement will put together the fatal car accident report. This will include the names of the individuals involved, details about the accident and the injuries incurred, and whether the individuals involved are deceased.
The report will also include descriptions of the evidence collected at the scene and the statements of the witnesses and parties.
Contact an Experienced Clearwater Wrongful Death Attorney To Schedule a Free Consultation
If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, our team has the skills and resources to help you navigate the wrongful death claim process. We can help you understand the car accident investigation process and fight for compensation to help your family cover costs like medical bills, funeral expenses, and more.
Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Clearwater wrongful death attorneys.
Contact a Clearwater Car Accident Lawyer from Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Clearwater today. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and Lakeland.
We proudly serve Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Polk County, and its surrounding areas:
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
600 Bypass Dr Suite 224-D, Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 493-4418
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
601 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 223-6200
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Office
111 2nd Ave NE Suite 350, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 314-5988
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
5006 Trouble Creek Rd Unit #200, Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 910-5060
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Lakeland Office
1543 Lakeland Hills Blvd Suite 18, Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 251-6196
