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How to Get a Police Report After a Car Accident

Frank • Mar 05, 2020

Police on Duty — Roseville, CA — Frank Penney Injury Lawyers

Read the blog from Frank Penney Injury Lawyers in Roseville, CA below.

If you are involved in a vehicle collision that results in injuries or property damage, a police officer should be on the scene to investigate the accident and file a police report. Accidents can be intense and there tends to be a lot of confusion on the scene, so it’s important to know when and how to get a police report after a car accident so that you can be prepared should the situation arise.

Amidst all the chaos, it’s crucial that you obtain a car accident report because it will have vital information in it that you’ll need to receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Below is everything you need to know.

How to Get a Police Report Following a Collision

In order to obtain a copy of the accident report for your collision, you’ll need to contact the police department that reported on the scene and request one. Typically, there are several ways that you can request the accident report, including in-person, over the phone, via mail, or through the police department’s website.

Check with the specific department that handled your accident to see what their specific rules are. Keep in mind that it may take up to two weeks after the accident for the report to be ready, so be prepared to not receive it immediately upon request. Also, there is usually a fee involved for obtaining a copy of the report. The fee is usually nominal and will vary depending on the department.

If for some reason you are having difficulty figuring out how to get a police report, an experienced personal injury accident attorney can provide you with the assistance you need.

Why is Getting a Car Accident Report Important?

Requesting and obtaining a copy of your car accident report is crucial because it will contain all of the vital information about your accident that you’ll need to build and prove your case. The details of the report should include the following:

Date, time, and location of the accident.
Names of the vehicle owners, the drivers, as well as any passengers.
Description of the weather condition and lighting during the accident.
Description of the traffic condition during the accident.
Names and addresses of the injured victims as well as a description of their injuries.
Description of the vehicles involved in the accident.
Names and contact information for any witnesses at the scene.
Diagram of the scene of the accident, including intersection details, number of traffic lanes, vehicle positioning, skid marks, and other notable details.
Description of any damage done to property at the scene.

Get the Professional Help You Need After Your Personal Injury Accident

If you have been involved in a personal injury accident, knowing how to get your accident report is just the first step of many to follow. With the help of compassionate personal injury lawyers like ours, you can ensure that you get the compensation you deserve following your accident.

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