Accident Report

The date and time of the automobile accident are recorded in the police report, which helps establish when the motor vehicle collision took place. This information can provide insight into factors such as lighting conditions and traffic patterns. Information regarding the exact location of the car crash, including the street name, intersection, or landmark, can help establish liability if road design or other factors contributed to the accident.

The incident report lists the names and contact information of all parties involved in the auto accident, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and witnesses. This information is essential for contacting witnesses or obtaining statements.

Details about the vehicles involved in the auto accident, such as make, model, and year, are included in the report. Information about the extent of the damage to the motor vehicles and any other property that was damaged in the accident is also included.

The report includes information about the condition of the road at the time of the traffic collision, including any hazards or obstacles that may have contributed to the incident.

The weather conditions at the time of the auto accident are often recorded in the incident report. This information can be helpful in determining if weather conditions played a role in a traffic collision.

The statements provided by witnesses to the automobile collision are included in the police report. These statements can help a personal injury lawyer identify which driver was liable for the car collision.

The responding police officer’s opinion regarding which party they believed was negligent, observations of the scene, and any contributing factors are recorded in the incident report. Contributing factors noted can include traffic congestion, an animal on the road, pedestrians, broken or missing traffic lights or signs, drunk driving, speeding, etc.

Accident types are also noted, to help investigators identify the cause of the car crash. 

Accident types can include:

• Drunk driving accident 
• Rollover accident 
• Side-impact accident
• Head-on collision  
• T-Bone accident 
• Multi-vehicle accident
• Single-vehicle accident 
• Rear-end accident
• Distracted driving accident 
• Pedestrian accident 
• Motorcycle accidents, scooter accidents, Uber accidents, etc.

Any traffic citations issued as a result of the auto accident for speeding or running a red light, are recorded in the crash report. This information can be used to establish liability and to negotiate a settlement. If an arrest was made for reckless driving, DWI, or DUI, this information is also noted and can be used as evidence that the other motorist was responsible for the collision.

Diagrams of the accident scene can be used to reconstruct the motor vehicle accident and determine fault. This type of visual aid can be very useful in complex cases where fault is not immediately apparent.

All of this information is valuable to a personal injury lawyer, as it provides a comprehensive picture of what happened and can be used to establish liability and negotiate a fair settlement.

To get copies of police reports from law enforcement or the DMV, you will need to provide some basic information about the car crash, such as the date and location of the crash, drivers license number, and your contact information and payment details. Once you have submitted your request, you can expect to receive your accident report in one to three weeks, depending on the complexity of the accident.

• The drivers and passengers involved in the collision 
• The legal representatives (personal injury lawyers) for every party involved in the crash 
• The parent or legal guardian of a minor involved in an auto accident 
• The insurance providers 

In most states, you’ll have two to three ways you can request a copy of your traffic accident report:

Order Your Motor vehicle collision Report Online

To order and access a motor vehicle accident report online, you can search the comprehensive collision report information center available at AccidentReports.com, or you can go through a local law enforcement agency or DMV, depending on the county and state you live in. 

Request Your Police report By Mail

To get a copy of your incident report by mail, you must provide a copy of your photo identification card, vehicle identification number, license plate number, date, time, and location of the auto accident, and payment details.

Request Your Incident report In-Person

To request a copy of your traffic crash report in person, you must show valid photo identification, provide accident details, such as the time, date, and location of the crash, and pay the collision report fees. 

• When negligence isn’t clear 
• When you plan to pursue compensation for accident-related damages through the other driver’s car insurance provider 
• When more than one party is involved in the traffic collision 
• When the other motorist is uninsured or you were a victim of a hit-and-run and you need to file a claim with your own car insurance company

Accident reports are not admissible in a court of law for the following reasons: 

1. Accident reports are considered hearsay
2. State codes bar evidence that has very limited probative value when measured against prejudicial effect. 
3. “No such accident report shall be used as evidence in any trial, civil or criminal, arising out of an accident, except that the department shall furnish upon demand of any person who has, or claims to have, made such a report or upon demand of any court, a certificate showing that a specified accident report has or has not been made to the department solely to prove a compliance or failure to comply with the requirement that such a report be made to the department.”
4. Improper foundation

An accident report is beneficial for several reasons, including:

• It includes descriptions of personal property damage, including vehicle damage, which can prove your demand for economic losses
• Accident victims will have access to any statements made by the other driver(s) involved 
• An accident report will verify the time, date, and location where the crash took place 
• In some cases, a collision report can be used as evidence for case presentations or any further investigations 
• The incident report provides detailed information concerning the traffic collision that was provided by a neutral third-party 
• An insurance company will request a copy of the accident report before they make a decision regarding the validity of your claim and demand for compensation 
• The collision report will be an important piece of evidence during settlement negotiations with the insurance company, helping to identify the liable party

If you have been in a car accident, you may want to consider hiring a personal injury lawyer, especially if you have suffered serious injuries or significant property damage. A personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure that you receive a fair settlement for your losses.

A personal injury lawyer can use a motor vehicle collision report to help strengthen your case and negotiate with insurance companies. 

Personal injury lawyers will carefully review the accident report to gather important information, such as the date, time, and location of the accident, the weather conditions at the time of the automobile accident, and the identities of all parties involved. They will also look for statements from witnesses, as well as the responding officer’s observations and conclusions about the cause of the accident.

Identify Admission of Fault 

A personal injury lawyer will also look for any admission of fault made by the other driver. If the other motorist made a statement that admits fault, this can help the lawyer negotiate a more favorable settlement for their client.

Determine the Value of an Insurance claim 

Additionally, a personal injury attorney will review the crash report to determine the extent of the damages and injuries. The incident report will include information about the types of vehicles involved, the amount of property damage caused, and any injuries sustained by the parties involved.