1. File an insurance report
2. Have your friend write out a detailed statement. A witness is a witness and a judge will assess their credibility when it comes to that but they are still a witness to the event.
3. You should also write out a detailed statment about everything you can remember, the accident, its location, the weather, the other vehicle, everything.
4. The cop can investigate if he feels someone is making a fraudulent claim. His job is to assesss if laws are broken. However, he is not an accident reconstruction expert or he would not be riding the desk taking accident reports. Also, he is not a witness to the accident so his testimony is virtually useless unless he has information about you that would go to your credibility ie you were drunk when you reported the accident.
5. Let your insurance handle it. They will have you get quotes on your vehicle and if they feel the damage is excessive may challenge you but they have to prove it was pre-existing on a balance of probabilities basis.
6. Don't hire a lawyer unless you insurance co. starts to fata you around or you feel you are hurt. Sore neck, upper back, shoulders etc.
7. If you are hurt, get to a doctor or chiropractor immediately to document it. These type of injuries to get worse with time.
good luck
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