Any time that you are involved in an automobile accident in the City of Benton you should report it to the police. You should contact the police at the time of the incident. The Benton Police Dpt. offers assistance with accidents that occur on the roadway as well as incidents that occur on private property. Officers will not find fault in a private property incident but they will assist you with exchanging information with the other driver, and documenting the incident for your insurance company.
One of the goals of the Benton Police Dpt. is the reduction of motor vehicle accidents. To accomplish this, the department performs a variety of traffic accident investigation functions including providing emergency service to the injured, protecting the accident scene, conducting accident investigations and follow-ups, preparing reports and taking proper enforcement action relative to the incidents. The purpose of accident investigation is to properly determine the causative factions involved in an automobile crash and utilize these factors to develop enforcement that will reduce the incidence of accidents.
Accident reports taken are utilized by the Arkansas State Police and Arkansas State Highway & Transportation Department at the state level and by this department at the local level to study the frequency of crashes at a given location and time, the causes, the conditions that exist at the time, etc. The reports are also used by this department to develop selective enforcement programs and to promote street and highway safety.
After making a police report you should contact your insurance agent and advise them that you have been involved in an accident. The agent will need the other operators name, address and the name of their insurance company. A copy of the accident report may be obtained from the Benton Police Department at 114 S. East St. after 1:00 p.m. on the second business day after the report was taken. Information needed to obtain a copy of the report is the date of the accident, location, and the names of the operators involved. Reports are $10 a copy.