How to Obtain & Read Your Car Accident Report
Obtaining a police report for a car accident (also known as a crash report or incident report) can be an important step in the injury claims process.
A report documenting that you are not the cause of the accident can help you file your case or reach a settlement more quickly.
In the case of a liability dispute it can provide the key evidence needed to backup your claims and prove your case.
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The police report is the first official document of the observable facts at the scene of the collision and can provide important evidence supporting your claims.
It often falls to the family and loved ones to get the accident report when injuries are sustained and the crash participant is in treatment.
Additionally, your accident lawyer can help obtain the police report on your behalf, once representation is established.
This short guide will help you understand you need to know about getting the police accident report, what information it contains, and what the process is to obtain it in your state.
Key Takeaways
- The accident report is filed by the law enforcement detailing the observable facts at the scene of the accident
- The methods to obtain an accident report vary with most jurisdictions offering online , in person, and mail request options
- Serious accidents commonly result in family members searching for the police report while the victim is in treatment
Select Your State to See Available Options
Choose your State to see the available options to obtain your official police report.
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What Is a Police Report?
"Accident reports include documented facts and opinions from the officers at the scene..."
A police report is a written document prepared by law enforcement after a crime or motor vehicle accident has been reported. It is considered a legal document and can only be filled out by qualified and trained law enforcement personnel.
The details included in these reports are usually taken down by the police officer who responds to the scene. However, in cases when car accidents and are reported days later, the reports may only cover what is claimed by the witnesses.
When they are complete, police reports are typically available from your state authority for $15 to $25. Your state may allow you to request a report at the police station, online, or by mail.
What's In a Police Report?
Police reports may look slightly different depending on the jurisdiction, but across the United States, they are intended to report the facts of an accident thoroughly. When possible, the report will include information such as:
- The badge number and law enforcement agency of responding officers
- A diagram of the incident
- Crash severity
- The date of the crash
- The time, and place of the incident
- The road conditions, lighting, and weather
- The make and model of the vehicles in the accident
- Evidence of speeding, intoxication, or negligence by motorists
- Names, driver’s license numbers, and other information of all injured parties and fatalities
- Insurance information
- Any evident property damage
This information is critical during a legal claim and can serve as supporting evidence. Your accident report may contain mistakes or factual errors which can impact your claim. If you disagree with any of the information in your accident report, no matter how small - it's critical that you let your attorney know.
Why Do You Need a Police Report?
You need a police report to move forward with some types of insurance claims. Generally, if you want to claim damage from criminal acts (for example, your car was damaged by a hit-and-run), you will need to show that the crime was reported to the police.
Your insurance will use the accident report to determine the blame for the accident. Depending on who is at fault, you may be required to make claims against the other driver’s insurance rather than your own if you want injury compensation.
The information on police reports is not always accurate. You should always request police reports as soon as they’re available so that you can confirm the details match what you witnessed.
What Happens If a Police Report Has Inaccurate Details?
It is possible for a police report to have inaccurate details. Officers may misremember, mishear, or misunderstand the details of an accident when preparing the report. This is why it is essential that you take your own photographs and check the report of your accident thoroughly.
Personal injury lawyers can make error correction requests on your behalf so that you don’t have to confront the law enforcement officer who filed the original report. A lawyer can also make other kinds of records requests to prove the information in the report to be true or false.
How Long Does It Take to Obtain a Car Accident Report?
When you request an accident report, you may have to wait five days to a few weeks before you have it in your hands. This can be a frustrating amount of time to wait if you are planning to pursue injury claims as part of your accident.
There are several different methods to choose from, and you may be able to save either time or money depending on the method that you choose.
Long-form police report: The long-form report is the most detailed kind. It can take up to two weeks to arrive once you request. You can request one for your accident by contacting your local police department. Detailed reports require more printer pages and ink, so you can expect to pay more in fees.
Short-form police report: A short-form police report is designed to be compact and to offer the essential details needed for most purposes (for example, insurance claims where there aren’t any disputes). You will still have to pay the police for it, but the fees are typically less than the fees for long-form reports.
Getting a copy from the insurance adjuster: Your insurance adjuster will submit their own request for a copy, and they will often provide it to you as soon as they have it. Most insurance companies won’t charge for copies, but they can take a long time to arrive.
Online request form: Some jurisdictions will allow you to access accident cases online after providing some identification or searching by the report number. Some jurisdictions offer this for free, and others will charge first.
Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help Me While I’m Waiting for a Copy of the Police Report?
A lawyer can guide you through the entire process of claiming your motor vehicle accident report.
First, if you have questions about where and who to ask for these records, your lawyer will know the answers and can even obtain medical records, police reports, and other documents on your behalf.
Review the details of your unique situation with an attorney when you are ready.
Second, a lawyer can help you gather evidence and proof when you need to confront errors on incident reports. Accurate information matters, especially when you were not at fault for the traffic crash that caused your injuries. Your representation will help you dispute inaccuracies and correct the errors on the report.
When you’re ready to proceed with your car accident injury case after discussing the legal options you can proceed. After a car accident, accident victims are represented on contingency, meaning you don't have to worry about paying anything unless you win recovery.
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