Is a Police Report Important After a Car Accident? How Do I Get My Own Copy?

Police reports are essential documents in the personal injury claim process. These reports may contain vital evidence from a car crash and can significantly influence compensation in an injury case. If they suffered injuries in the crash, car accident victims can use the information collected by police at the accident scene to support their personal injury claims.

When pursuing personal injury compensation, police incident reports can help prove:

• That the accident happened
• That the injuries directly resulted from the crash
• Who was at fault in the accident

With a police report in hand, a trusted personal injury lawyer can effectively pursue compensation for car accident victims. If you’d prefer to have a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento obtain your car accident’s police report, call United Citizen Law at (916) 800-8457 or tell us about your case. We specialize in auto accidents and have extensive experience using police reports in successful claims.

 

What Information Is Documented in an Auto Accident Police Report?

A police report is a document prepared by the responding law enforcement officer at the scene of the accident. It typically includes key details such as:

• The location of the accident
• The date and time of the collision
• Damage to the vehicles involved
• Apparent injuries resulting from the incident
• Weather and road conditions at the time of the accident
• Any law violations or citations issued

While some details in a police report are based on the observations of law enforcement officers at the accident scene, others are provided directly by individuals involved in or who witnessed the collision. These may include:

• Witness statements and contact information
• Addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance policy details of the parties involved
• Diagrams illustrating the positioning of the vehicles prior to the collision

In some cases, the law enforcement officer at the scene may provide opinions or conclusions about how or why the accident occurred.

Whether a car accident involves minor or severe injuries, calling the police at the scene is strongly recommended. If your version of events aligns with the police report, your personal injury case gains substantial credibility and your potential compensation may increase. The at-fault driver is likely to dispute liability, and every piece of supporting evidence is critical to your case. To receive fair compensation for your damages, you must provide proof that you were not at fault in the accident. Contacting the police immediately after an accident helps accurately establish fault, negligence, and damages, so do not hesitate to call if you are involved in a collision.

 

How Do I Get a Copy of the Police Report After a Car Crash?

There are several ways to obtain an official police report following a car accident, including: 

• Paying a small administrative fee and requesting a report copy from the local law enforcement agency
• Contacting the insurance adjuster handling your claim for a complimentary copy

However, obtaining a police report can sometimes prove difficult due to confidentiality restrictions and identify verification. The best option is to let your personal injury attorney handle this process. We’ll handle every tedious and complex task related to your case so you can focus on your recovery.

 

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Personal Injury Attorney Near You

If you were injured in a car accident in Sacramento due to someone else’s negligence, you need a reliable personal injury law firm to pursue the compensation you deserve. The experienced legal team at United Citizen Law will simplify the claims process and gather the evidence your case requires. To find out what your case may be worth, call us today at (916) 800-8457 or share your personal injury story with us online.