The Tampa Police Department has a new ticket policy

Drivers in car accidents in Tampa Florida now have even more reason to independently document what happened in their accidents. The reason is that Tampa Police officers have a new ticket policy. According to an article posted on Tampabays10, under the new policy, after a motor vehicle accident, the police will rarely do more than review drivers licenses, registration, and proof of insurance. In fact, the officer that answered the phone when we placed a call to the Tampa Police Department confirmed that in most cases the officers will no longer interview the parties and witnesses to determine who was at fault, issue citations for the accident, document the names of witnesses, and document how the scene looked at the time of the accident. As unbelievable as it may seem, the only time the officers will make a finding of fault, issue a citation, and do all of the other things that go along with it, will be if the officer witnesses the accident or the accident involves, DUI, severe injury, or fleeing the scene of the crime.

The justification for the change in policy, according to Tampa Police spokesperson Laurie McElroy is that the city will save about 8,000 man hours a year. The article made no mention of the loss of revenue the city will experience because they will be issuing substantially less citations. The article also did not mention whether the savings in man hours really means police officers will be losing their jobs. The officer we interviewed did not have answers to these questions.

McElroy claimed the fact these citations will no longer be issued will not affect insurance claims because "their citations carry no weight with the insurance companies". She is simply wrong. It is true that the parties' statements to the officer about how the accident happened and the officer's determination of fault are not admissible at a trial in a personal injury lawsuit or a dispute involving an insurance company. However, that does not mean the information gathered by the police after a car wreck "carries no weight with the insurance company." In fact, the vast majority of times the insurance companies recognize the accuracy of the officers findings and admit them as true. Even in those rare cases when the insurance company disputes the officer's conclusions, the officer's observations at the scene and documentation of those observations is invaluable. Without the officers written report, the identity of witnesses, the condition of the roadway, and how the vehicles came to rest will not be documented. If the parties involved in an accident do not document these things, the information may very well be lost.

Under the circumstances, we urge everyone to make sure their cars are equipped at all times with a camera, a notepad, and a pen or pencil. If an auto accident happens, the camera should be used to take photographs of the scene, the resting place of the vehicles, and the damage to the vehicles. The notepad should be used to get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the witnesses. If you do not do this and you need to make an insurance claim for personal injuries or damage to your vehicle in Tampa Florida, you may not be able to prove your case.

Scott Distasio
Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer
DISTASIO LAW FIRM
HELPING INJURED PEOPLE
OFFICES: TAMPA
888-595-0022

http://www.TampaAccidentInjuryLaw.com