Opinion ID: 1801234
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Accident Reports

Text: After the accident occurred, investigating officers of the Montgomery City Police Department prepared two reports. During the discovery stage of the trial, the plaintiff moved to have the defendant produce the second, supplemental, report pursuant to ARCP 26. The defendant objected on the ground that the report had been compiled in anticipation of litigation. The trial court inspected the report during two in camera examinations. The court made available to the plaintiff factual information found in the report, but refused to allow the plaintiff access to certain conclusions, opinions and observations that the investigating officers placed in the supplemental report. The trial court has considerable discretion over the discovery stage of the trial. Williams v. First National Bank of Mobile, 384 So.2d 89, 95 (Ala.1980); Stinson v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., 395 So.2d 1032, 1034 (Ala.Civ.App.1981). We hold that there is no showing that the trial court abused its discretion. The plaintiff places great importance on portions of the investigating officer's depositions. Hancock asserts that in the investigation of serious accidents supplemental reports are routinely prepared, regardless of possible litigation. The plaintiff argues, therefore, that the report was not prepared in anticipation of litigation. The trial court inspected the supplemental report twice. The judge allowed the plaintiff to see portions of the supplemental report he deemed allowable for view. The trial court's careful examination is the major factor for this Court to consider on appeal. The two in camera inspections evidence the court's exercise of sound discretion regarding the plaintiff's request to produce the entire supplemental report. The plaintiff fails to prove palpable abuse of that discretion. For the reasons discussed, the judgment of the trial court is due to be affirmed. AFFIRMED. TORBERT, C.J., and JONES, SHORES and BEATTY, JJ., concur.