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How Police Investigate Car Accidents

Police in North Carolina and Virginia have specific procedures they follow when the call comes in that there’s been an automobile or vehicle accident. Some of the procedures common to most accidents are these:

The first goal is ensuring the safety of all those in the accident and those who may be driving near the accident.

  • The first priority is to see if anyone is hurt. If someone is hurt, then the police officer will call for an ambulance. While checking for physical pain, the officers will also check for signs of driver impairment such as alcohol impairment.
  • The first responder will secure the scene by placing traffic cones, flares, and markers around the accident. This way traffic will be diverted away from the accident so no one else is injured.

The second goal is to try to determine what happened. The officer(s) will compile a written report at the scene of the accident.

  • Officers will record details about the roads involved, the cars involved, and the people involved. They’ll also record information such as traffic lights and stop signs. Tire marks and vehicle parts will be studied.
  • The officer will get the state information for each driver by examining their driver’s licenses and insurance papers.
  • Officers will also speak to any witnesses to get an oral statement of what happened.

In some cases, officers may send evidence to a medical or scientific laboratory for further review.

Joe Miller Investigates Personal Injury Cases

One of the keys to winning a personal injury case is proving exactly what happened. Joe Miller has extensive experience in both North Carolina and Virginia doing just that – showing that someone else was at fault for his client’s injuries. Contact Norfolk attorney Joe Miller Law, at (888) 694-1671 today if you were involved in an accident and learn more about what he can do to help you identify the party responsible and fight for the compensation you need.

Virginia Beach Office

5500-B Greenwich Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Elizabeth City Office
(by appointment only)
507 E Main St #K
Elizabeth City, NC 27907

If you are looking at this site, you or a loved one has probably been hurt. If that's true, you've come to the right place. Helping people who have been hurt is what we do. In fact, it is all we do. Joe Miller Law is a law firm concentrating exclusively on representing people who are injured by the carelessness of others or those hurt on the job. We provide the highest quality legal services to people who have been seriously injured. We practice Personal Injury law and Workmens' Compensation law in both Virginia and North Carolina.