Many people do not know how to get a police report after being in a car accident. Likewise, many people have no idea just how important a police report can be. Your personal injury attorney can request your police report for you, or you can keep reading to learn how to receive yours. If you need help, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000.
Car Accidents Are the Most Common Types of Police Reports Requested
Car accident police reports, which are sometimes referred to as accident reports or crash reports, are the most commonly requested type of police report. Most people request them to act as a piece of evidence in their personal injury case. Depending on what it says, the police report could assist in establishing that another party was liable for the accident.
Information You Can Expect on a Police Report
In most cases, the police report is going to contain some or all of the following:
- Name of the officer that responded
- A diagram of the accident
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- The conditions at the time of the accident (including weather, lighting, and roadway conditions)
- Name and contact info for involved parties and witnesses
- A description of the type and location of damage to the vehicles
- Statements from involved parties
- Citations if applicable
- The officer’s opinion on who was at fault
Not all police reports will contain all of the above information – and some will contain more information. Generally speaking, the more serious an accident is, the longer and more detailed the police report is likely to be.
Police Reports Can Be Used in Several Ways
There are two main ways that the police report might help your case. First, it might have an explanation of the cause of the accident, or it might even include information on who the officer felt was negligent and liable for damages. Second, the police report will have facts about where and when the accident occurred, as well as information on who was involved in the accident.
While police reports can be helpful, it is important to know that they cannot be used in a court of law. They can be used as leverage to negotiate with the insurance company, but as a document, they are considered hearsay. That said, if you do go to trial, you can subpoena the officer to testify to the validity of what is in the report.
If you have been involved in an accident and need the police report, the best way to find out how to get it is to contact a personal injury attorney. You can do that easily by calling The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now for a free legal consultation.
