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How to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident

Alvine Weidenaar, Personal Injury

The process of getting the police report for your car accident is a simple one. Having a copy of this document is beneficial if you were injured and can help your car accident lawyer build your case for compensation. 

When an accident occurs, you may experience serious injuries requiring you to be taken to the hospital for emergency treatment. If this happens, you may not be able to get the information needed that is an important part of your accident claim. The good news is that most of this information will be in the police report. 

How to Know if There Is a Police Report for Your Accident

Not all car accidents require the police to respond or a full investigation. However, if there is a certain amount of property damage or if someone is injured or killed, the police must be notified. 

In most cases, if the police show up to your accident, there will be a report, and you have a right to get a copy of the report. 

Steps to Get the Police Report After a Car Accident

There are a few ways to get a copy of the police report. One option is to go to the police station. You must know what police department responded to the accident to do this. After you are involved in a car accident, most police officers will give those involved a report, letting them know what agency to get the full report from. 

You can also get a report by mail. If you do this, it is unredacted, which means it will contain all the parties’ names, contact information, and insurance information. If you request a police report through the mail, you must send a court order or subpoena that a judge signs to the proper agency. You will also be required to pay a fee to get the report. You must include a check with the written request, as well as the accident’s location, names of everyone involved, accident report number, and date when the accident occurred. It’s also necessary to send a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request for the report to be mailed back to you. 

Why do You Need a Copy of Your Car Accident Police Report?

When you hire a car accident attorney, they will gather evidence, including the police report, to determine who was at fault for the accident. Without the police report, your personal injury lawyer may have trouble proving who is to blame for the incident. 

The good news is that there are several ways for you to get the police report created for your accident. You can also have your attorney handle this on your behalf. The bottom line is that having this document is invaluable when it comes to a car accident claim and can help you recover the full amount of compensation you are entitled to. 

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