If you were involved in an automobile accident in which a police officer responded, a police report was likely created. This report may be a helpful tool to gain leverage in informal settlement discussions with an insurance carrier or opposing counsel in your personal injury dispute.
The police report may be used to gain knowledge of certain circumstances of the accident, such as time of day, the specific location of the accident, date, and weather conditions at the time of the accident. Additionally, it may contain the police officer’s primary assessment of fault. The assessment would include the responding officer’s observations as to whether the driver involved violated a state’s vehicle code, or if their negligence (carelessness) may have caused the accident. Police reports will also contain the contact information (name and phone number) of anyone involved in the accident, or witnesses of the accident. In some situations, the report may also contain witness statements about the accident, which may be valuable when trying to prove liability (fault).
If you were involved in an accident where a police report was created, you are entitled to receive a copy of the report. If you know the agency that created the report, find their contact information (phone book or Internet) and call them to request a copy of your report. Some agencies make you pick up the report in person and pay a small processing fee. Other agencies will send you the report at no charge.