After an accident, you feel confused and shaken. Your head is spinning, and people are telling you different things. In this moment of chaos, some people hope you stay confused. They hope you don’t take that first critical step that documents your crash: filing a police report.

A police report is more than just a piece of paper. **It is your official record of what happened.** It is your shield.

When an insurance company or an employer tries to deny your claim, they will look for any reason to say the accident wasn’t their fault. They might try to change the facts or say you are exaggerating.

A police report stops them. It is an official account created by a law enforcement officer. It can lock in certain essential details of the event.

**A police report is powerful because it contains:**

*   The date, time, and exact location of the incident.

*   The names and contact information of everyone involved, including witnesses.

*   A description of the scene, the weather, and any property damage.

*   The officer’s own observations about what happened and who may have been at fault.

This information is your proof. It is the foundation for holding the right people accountable.