A car accident police report is exactly what it sounds like – a document made by a police officer at the accident scene. This report includes details like what caused the accident, what the drivers and other parties involved said, what the witnesses saw, and any other important facts noted by the police officer.
Police reports are needed to help make determinations of damage and fault. Both the insurance companies and the car accident lawyers put a lot of weight on the contents of this document in establishing liability.
What’s Included in a Car Accident Police Report?
A car accident police report usually includes:
- Details of the accident describing what happened, who was involved, and what was damaged.
- The report also has information about the people involved in the accident – their names, addresses, phone numbers and insurance details.
- It also provides information about the witnesses (names and contact details).
- When and where the accident took place, including weather and road conditions.
- What the drivers, passengers, and witnesses said about the accident.
- A drawing/sketch of how the accident happened, showing the location, paths of the vehicles, where they collided, etc.
- Descriptions of the damage.
- Law violations
- The officer’s opinion as to why the accident occurred and who might be at fault.
How to Get a Copy of the Traffic Accident Police Report
To get a copy of a police report, you’ll need to fill out a request form. This can typically be obtained in person, by mail, or online through your local police department’s website.
For example, in Pennsylvania, you may need to submit an application by mail to the State Police after 15 days from the date of the car crash. In Georgia, you can get a copy of your car accident of a rental vehicle report from the Georgia State Highway Patrol (GSP), your local police department, or through BuyCrash. In Texas, you can get a copy from the Texas Department of Transportation’s online portal.
Usually, after the accident, the police officer will give you a crash receipt. This document isn’t the full report but it contains important details like the date and location of the accident and the other party’s information. You’ll also need the incident report number from this receipt to get a copy of the complete police report.
Facts and Opinions in Police Reports
In a police report, you’ll find both facts and opinions. Facts include details like the date, time, and location of the collision, while opinions are usually about fault determinations—deciding who caused the accident—all of which are made by the responding police officer.
Insurance companies make their own investigations after a car accident and often they will request the police report as part of their investigation process. However, it’s important to note that insurance companies may reach different conclusions from the police officer’s opinions. This means that even if the police report suggests you’re not at fault, the other driver’s insurance company might still deny your claim. When the other driver is uninsured, it can complicate matters, potentially requiring legal action or relying on your own insurance coverage for compensation.
Can a Police Report Influence Your Case?
A police report doesn’t always have the final say in a car accident case. Even if it contains the officer’s opinions regarding fault or mentions a traffic ticket, it’s not the ultimate verdict on liability. However, it does carry a significant weight during negotiations with insurance companies and in any legal proceedings.
If the report favors your side and states that the other driver caused the accident, it can greatly boost your case. But what if the report blames you? In such situations, the other driver’s insurance company might use this report to pressure you into accepting a quick and possibly inadequate settlement.
If you disagree with the findings in the police report, there are steps you can take to challenge it. Start by questioning the information the officer relied on and from whom it was obtained. For example, if the report states you were speeding based solely on the other driver’s statement, you can contest it. You should also assess the officer’s training and expertise in making such assessments. So if the report includes calculations of vehicle speed based on skid marks, find out if the officer was adequately trained to do so.
How to Find Out if Your Accident Has Been Reported
In the U.S. you can search for accident reports online, usually by state. For instance, in Ohio, the Department of Public Safety (ODPS) allows public access to vehicle collision data, so you can easily locate your own records. If you’re unsure of how to find your accident report online or if it’s not available, you may need to visit the police station where the report was filed.