BEHIND THE BADGE — What Really Happens During Police Investigations After a Fatal Crash
Losing a loved one in a fatal car accident is devastating
When that loss was preventable, the grief is compounded by questions — and the pursuit of accountability. At R23 Law, our California Consumer Protection Attorneys work closely with grieving families to make sense of the aftermath and ensure that justice is pursued through all available legal channels.
A crucial part of that process? The police investigation.
Here's how law enforcement investigates fatal car accidents, why their findings matter, and how our legal team steps in to hold negligent drivers — and their insurers — accountable.
When Do Police Investigate Fatal Car Accidents in California?
In California, a police investigation is triggered when a car accident involves:
Fatalities
Severe bodily injury
Significant property damage
Impairment due to drugs or alcohol
Officers are dispatched to the scene immediately, where they begin collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and documenting everything from skid marks to weather conditions. These early steps often become the foundation for civil wrongful death claims later on.
What Happens at the Scene of a Fatal Accident?
The police officer's goal is to create an official crash report. This includes:
Statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses
Diagrams and measurements of the scene
Any citations or arrests (especially for DUI or reckless driving)
Vehicle damage assessments
Preliminary fault determinations
These crash reports are often treated as key evidence in both insurance claims and civil lawsuits. But they’re not infallible. In fact, R23 Law's attorneys routinely uncover inaccuracies or omissions that could jeopardize your case if left unchallenged.
The Investigation Doesn’t Stop at the Scene
While the crash report is a critical document, it may not tell the full story—especially in cases involving:
Hit-and-run drivers
Unclear liability
Distracted or impaired driving
Traffic violations like speeding or reckless lane changes
In these cases, law enforcement may continue its investigation for weeks or months, analyzing toxicology results, reviewing surveillance footage, and consulting with accident reconstruction experts.
R23 Law’s Attorneys Go Beyond the Police Report
Our California Wrongful Death Lawyers do not rely solely on police reports. We independently investigate the facts, often identifying evidence that law enforcement may overlook or misinterpret.
Our in-depth legal process may include:
Consulting with forensic crash reconstructionists
Subpoenaing phone and text records
Interviewing additional eyewitnesses
Reviewing red-light camera and dashcam footage
Challenging errors in official crash documentation
We work to build a case that is clear, fact-based, and trial-ready—whether the insurance company settles or not.
What Is Accident Reconstruction, and Why Does It Matter?
Accident reconstruction is the scientific analysis of how and why a crash occurred. In fatal accident cases, this often includes:
Measuring vehicle damage and final positions
Analyzing tire marks, vehicle speed, and stopping distances
Evaluating mechanical failures or visibility issues
Testing whether impaired or distracted driving played a role
R23 Law partners with trusted reconstruction experts to provide authoritative evidence in fatal car crash claims, especially when the at-fault driver tries to deny responsibility or shift blame onto the victim.
Why Police Investigations Aren’t Always Enough
While police officers do their best to gather facts, their conclusions can be influenced by limited time, witness bias, or lack of access to private evidence.
That’s why families pursuing a wrongful death claim in California should never rely solely on a crash report.
R23 Law’s California Consumer Protection Attorneys approach every case with the attention and compassion it deserves. We know what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to uncover the truth when others won’t—or can’t.
R23 Law Is Here for Families After Tragedy
If you’ve lost someone in a fatal car accident in California, the next steps you take matter. Insurance companies may act fast to protect their interests, but R23 Law moves faster.
We bring:
Deep experience in wrongful death investigations
Access to leading accident reconstructionists
Trial-tested consumer protection attorneys
A relentless commitment to justice for victims
Let us manage the investigation, build your case, and fight for the financial recovery your family deserves.
Speak With R23 Law’s Fatal Car Accident Attorneys Today
Don't face a complex police investigation alone. Our attorneys know the system — and how to challenge it when necessary. R23 Law Consumer Protection Attorneys offers free consultations and contingency-based representation, so you pay nothing unless we win.
📞 Contact us today to speak with a member of our legal team and learn your rights under California law.
