Most states make it relatively easy to obtain a copy of an accident report for anyone who has been involved in an accident. The three primary methods for requesting the report are online, by phone, and in person. The most efficient way to obtain an accident report is through an online request system.
This option generally allows you to access crash reports from any state police or law enforcement agency in your state. If you have a car accident lawyer, they can take care of this step on your behalf.
An Online Police Report Can Usually Be Requested At the Specific Police Agency’s Website
Depending on where you live, you can get a report on your car accident from any of the state’s police departments. Once the responding officer has acquired all relevant information, he or she will promptly file an accident report.
However, depending on where the incident took place and which law enforcement organization reacted, you may need to track down a specific agency in order to obtain a copy of your police report. It may be a:
- City police department
- A state police agency
- A county sheriff’s office
If the accident occurred on a public street in a town or a county road, for example, you should report it to the local police department. Online police report records requests are available from several agencies.
Where to Look Online for Car Accident Reports in Indiana
The state of Indiana offers three ways to request a crash report if you were involved in an accident. The most efficient way is to use the online request option, which allows individuals to access all crash reports from across the state from one website. Visit BuyCrash.com if you need access to accident reports online.
Otherwise, you can request a crash report by phone through a subcontractor or in person at 50 N. Alabama St., E100 Indianapolis, IN 46204. You can acquire a copy of an IMPD officer’s accident report between the hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It costs $12 to obtain an accident report.
What do I Need to Obtain a Car Accident Report?
You will need to provide some information, such as the date of the incident, location, county, and municipality involved, and your complete name or vehicle details.
Furthermore, it should be noted that processing fees and access restrictions may apply depending on the circumstances surrounding the crash. Make sure you have your driver’s license number and a credit card handy before starting your request.
Why Is a Police Report Necessary?
In the event that any other drivers, passengers, or bystanders to the collision gave statements to the police, their names and contact information will be included in the report. The insurance coverage for the involved cars should also be mentioned in the police report.
The accident report can help with two critical things:
- If an accident isn’t reported, the insurance company may deny that it even happened.
- Without an accident report, it’s possible you won’t be able to locate the other motorist.
If you don’t file a report after an automobile accident, the insurance company can say it wasn’t serious enough to merit coverage. The best course of action is to file the report since the insurance company can argue that you would have phoned for help if the accident had been severe enough to cause injuries.
Understanding a Car Accident Report
Understanding your accident report is essential for both legal and insurance purposes. Knowing what information you need to provide, where to find it, and how to interpret it can save a lot of time, energy, and frustration.
The first section of any accident report will pertain to the involved parties, including contact information, driver’s license numbers, vehicle registration information, and other relevant details, such as where the accident occurred and when it took place.
Following this initial section will be the summary portion which serves as an overview of the incident.
This section includes:
- Observations from responding officers
- Citation information, if applicable
- Witness accounts
- Names of insurance companies involved in the case
- Estimated speed of the involved vehicle(s) at time of impact
- Descriptions of property damage incurred by each party’s respective vehicles
- Items noted by officers or witnesses at the scene or prior to arriving on scene, such as drinking while driving or cell phone use
As you can see, lots of vital information is included in the police car accident report. This documentation can serve as evidence to validate your claim and establish liability. This is critical to proving to the insurance company or court that you had a car accident and other people may be at fault.
Is Everything Always Correct on a Car Accident Report?
Usually, but not always. However, insurance firms typically take accident reports at face value. Therefore, if they are inaccurate, they can hinder your personal injury case while negotiating with insurance companies. The inability to prove your case could be due to a single incorrect code number or omission.
Because of this, you might wish to talk to a lawyer about your vehicle accident. They can disprove the insurance company’s assumptions if they can find evidence that contradicts what was reported in the accident.
How Can a Car Accident Report Help My Claim?
A detailed and accurate incident record is key in supporting a personal injury claim. Without valid proof from reliable sources such as an accident report, it will be much harder to receive compensation due to a lack of evidence. The lack of this documentation may potentially invalidate insurance policies.
Additionally, if medical bills are required for compensation, the report will include any medical attention received at the scene, which could be beneficial in proving your case. An accurate account of what occurred paired with medical evidence may maximize potential insurance claims as well.
Having a copy of a crash report is important to remember any events that might have been missed due to shock or unconsciousness during the incident. Accident reports serve as a crucial source of evidence in many cases and can make all the difference between receiving full compensation or not getting any at all.
Contact a Lawyer for Help With Your Car Accident Report
Your attorney can always access your police report online for you. Contact us today if you have been in an accident and need help with errors in your police report or if you wish to file a claim. The car accident lawyers of Vaughan & Vaughan are happy to help you with a free consultation.
