Cohn & Swartzon's Anson Bui says inconclusive police reports are not the end of a case

Senior Trial Attorney Anson Bui of Cohn & Swartzon LLP says disputed liability cases often require more investigation than the initial police report provides. The Irvine firm says locating independent witnesses and other evidence can still change the outcome for injured Californians.

Why it matters: - In disputed crash cases, an inconclusive police report can leave fault unresolved even when someone is seriously injured. - Additional investigation can uncover evidence that changes how a claim is evaluated and whether a case moves forward. - For injured Californians, that can mean the difference between a denied claim and a recoverable case.

What happened: - Senior Trial Attorney Anson Bui of Cohn & Swartzon LLP, based in Irvine, said a police report should be treated as a starting point, not the final answer. - Bui said disputed liability cases often require follow-up work because witnesses may not have given statements and surveillance video may not yet have been found. - Bui said the firm does not stop with the report when fault is unclear. - Bui said his career includes more than 600 depositions. - Bui said every client deserves to know that every reasonable avenue has been explored.

The details: - Independent witnesses can be especially valuable because they have no relationship to either driver and no financial stake in the outcome. - A police report may not list a witness even when one exists. - Follow-up work can include speaking with nearby residents or businesses, reviewing surveillance footage, and identifying people who were in the area during or after the collision. - A witness who saw the crash or the immediate aftermath may have left before police arrived. - Bui said the goal is to provide honest advice, prepare each case thoroughly, and advocate for the best possible outcome. - Cohn & Swartzon LLP represents individuals and families in serious injury and wrongful death matters across California. - The firm handles automobile and trucking accidents, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, dog bites, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rideshare collisions, premises liability, and mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. - The firm says its attorneys have recovered $150 million or more in verdicts, judgments, and settlements throughout their combined careers. - The firm offers free consultations, contingency-fee representation, and services in English and Spanish.

Between the lines: - Bui is framing injury cases as evidence-gathering exercises that may continue long after the crash scene is cleared. - The message to clients is that an early lack of proof does not necessarily mean there is no viable claim. - The emphasis on independent witnesses suggests the firm is focused on building leverage when driver accounts conflict. - Bui’s ABOTA membership and more than 600 depositions are meant to signal courtroom readiness, which can matter in settlement negotiations. - Before joining Cohn & Swartzon LLP, Bui served as in-house counsel for a Fortune 50 company and was named Trial Attorney of the Year in 2022. - Bui is fluent in Vietnamese.

What's next: - Cohn & Swartzon LLP says it will continue investigating disputed-liability cases rather than treating an inconclusive police report as final. - The firm expects additional evidence, including witness accounts and video, to remain central to clarifying fault in future injury claims. - Injured Californians facing unclear liability may need further investigation before deciding whether to pursue compensation.

The bottom line: - An inconclusive police report does not necessarily end a personal injury claim. - The right witness, video, or other evidence can still change the outcome.