Around six million automobile accidents occur in the US every year. Whether you are reading this because you have just been in one, or you just want to be prepared, there is a very good chance you will need to know how to file a police report at some point in your life.
Have you been injured in an accident? Contact the attorneys at Kats Law. We’ve collected millions from insurance companies for our clients, and can do the same for you.
Many people are under the assumption that in the event of an accident they don’t need to call the police to the scene and file a report. This is especially true if the accident is minor, everyone appears to have insurance, and all parties involved are nice and polite. However, what happens at the scene of an accident isn’t always indicative of what happens in the days or weeks to come. People can be shaken up and are not always thinking clearly at the scene. The “facts” surrounding the accident can shift and change as adrenaline and shock wear off. By calling the police, you aren’t looking to get people in trouble or cause issues, it’s really about having someone who is a clear headed neutral party accurately documenting the crash and it is helpful if any litigation does come up post- accident.
Why Do I Need A Police Report?
In most cases you don’t need a police report in order to file an insurance claim. However, providing one can often significantly speed up your claim. This means you get reimbursed or paid out faster. Car accident injuries aren’t always obvious right after a crash. In many instances they can take a while to show up. Having proper evidence of the accident will help your case if you wind up needing any kind of financial help related to injuries. It’s also an invaluable resource if you wind up being sued or questioned by police.
How To File A Police Report?
Depending on where you live and the severity of the accident, the police might not be able to come to the scene of the accident. In this situation, take as many photos of any damage to your vehicle, any other vehicles involved, any injuries, other vehicle license plates, the intersection or any key location indicators of the crash, and anything else you think might be relevant. Gather information from the other driver(s) including: contact information, license and license plate numbers, any insurance information you can obtain, and if possible the contact information of any witnesses. Once you have all this, you should file a report. You can either call the police department and file one over the phone, go in person, or many states provide the option of filing a report online.
How Do I Get A Copy Of A Police Report?
Police reports are public record, and can be obtained through the reporting agency where the accident occurred. Often in smaller municipalities the police report is available the next day and can be accessed through an online portal. Larger cities generally require 10-14 days before accident reports are published.
Do you need help accessing a police report from your accident? Contact the attorneys at Kats Law, we will help you obtain the report so your rights are protected!
What Information Is Included In A Police Report?
While police reports can vary from state to state or even within different counties, the kind of information typically included in a police report is:
- Date, time, and place where the incident happened
- Description of road conditions, lighting, and weather
- Description of the vehicles in the accident, including make, model, year, license plate numbers, and registration status
- Details of the incident, including the type of road or intersection where it happened, what kind of damage occurred, and if speeding, intoxication, or negligence are suspected
- A diagram of the incident highlighting road signage, stoplights, crosswalks, merge lanes and more
- Names and information of all injured parties, the extent of their injuries and whether or not they were taken to a local hospital
- Notes on property damage resulting from the incident
- Name, agency, and badge number of responding officers
Can I Get A Police Report Faster?
Many insurance companies will delay your claim while you wait for the police report.
Kats Law has strong relationships with most Northeast Ohio and surrounding city police departments. If you are looking for assistance in expediting your request to avoid delays, contact the experts at Kats Law.
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