A personal injury lawyer in Macon, GA uses police records of a vehicle accident during negotiations with an at-fault driver’s insurer. However, aside from a few specific details, much of what a police officer says is not admissible in court. Fortunately, a large majority of injury cases do not proceed to trial, and attorneys are able to achieve a fair settlement for the client.
Information in the Report
In court, a personal injury lawyer in Macon, GA can use the police determination of which driver was at fault. A description of weather and road conditions can also be used. Any other opinions the police officer may have expressed in the report will likely be considered hearsay, which is inadmissible. The other information that can be used in settlement negotiations and in court is eyewitness testimony. They may provide their own review of what occurred according to what they saw.
Why Some Information is Hearsay
It may seem confusing as to why a police officer’s statement would be considered hearsay in this situation. The officer most likely was not at the scene when the accident occurred, and therefore, he or she did not observe the accident as it happened.
Eyewitness Testimony
Eyewitness testimony could be even more important than the police report if the case were to proceed to trial. The legal team interviews these individuals if the insurer proves uncooperative, and uses the eyewitness statements to support the case. The lawyers at Edwards & Bullard work tirelessly to achieve a favorable outcome. If you need an accident lawyer, contact today.
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