What You Need To Know About Car Accident Police Reports
Following a car accident, there are some important steps you should take to protect your best interests. One of the most critical steps to take following an accident is to contact your local police department immediately so that they can manage the situation and piece together the incident in a police report.
You will need a police report even after a minor accident.
A police report is essential when it comes to filing an insurance claim, and it can be even more indispensable in cases involving suits against another driver. Your Edinburg personal injury attorney is here to help you better understand the importance of car accident police reports.
What Is a Police Report?
A police report is created by a law enforcement officer when they respond to an auto accident or any other event. Each police report will vary depending on the details of the crash and evidence available, but some typical information found in this document may include:
Details of the crash, including any vehicle or property damage
Identification information from parties involved, including names, addresses, insurance information, and contact info
Testimonies from drivers, witnesses, and passengers
A drawn diagram of the incident, including factors like the location, paths vehicles took, and the point of collision
Citations or violations, when applicable
Factors that may have caused or accelerated the incident, including weather conditions, road conditions, and visibility
In some cases, the officer’s own evidence obtained or opinion on why the incident happened
How To Obtain a Police Report
In general, there are two ways to go about obtaining a police report. One will sometimes cost money, while the other option, generally, does not.
The first option is to request a copy from the local law enforcement office that generated the report. In order to obtain the report in this way, you will need to speak to the responding officer, who will provide you with the case identification number. Then, you can call the traffic division that responded to the crash and pay the administrative fee to obtain a copy.
If you don’t have the identification number, providing the date, time, location, and your name may be enough to obtain a copy of the police report.
Another way to obtain a copy is by asking the insurance adjuster who is handling your claim. If they requested a copy of the police report, then you can ask them for one. Keep in mind, however, that in both cases, it may take a few weeks for the report to become available.
Checking That the Police Report Is Accurate
Once a police report is completed, you should ask the responding officer to see the document so that you can verify its accuracy. If you disagree with any details in the report, let the officer know right away.
For example, even if you only received a minor scratch or injury, and the police report fails to mention this, you will want to have this corrected. The reason is that a police report often becomes one of the foundational tools that your lawyer will use to build your case. As such, every small detail should be corrected or included.
Of course, sometimes more serious corrections are in order, such as a major injury or damage sustained to your vehicle. In other cases, the police report may be representing you inaccurately or faulting you for the incident.
If the official mcomplete police report conflicts with the facts, reach out to an attorney right away for help determining the best path forward.
Get Compensation for Car Accidents with Help from Bobby Garcia
A police report is a vital tool for building your case. However, it’s not the only tool you’ll want to have at your disposal. You should also consider seeking the assistance of an Edinburg car accident who can help build and win your case.
Whether you have a police report that accurately represents the accident or one that lacks critical content, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help. At the Law Office of Bobby Garcia, we have the experience you need to secure the results you deserve.