How to File a Police Report

In most accidents with damages and injuries, law enforcement officers attend the scene and draft an accident report. However, knowing how to file a police report or correct errors in a police report can help protect your rights, as the document could become essential for proving your insurance claim or legal case.

You don’t have to struggle with a police report or car accident claim alone. Consider consulting an attorney if you suffered significant injuries or car damage. Morgan & Morgan’s tenacious and motivated car accident lawyers could help to maximize your settlement. We are here for you 24/7. Contact us today to determine your next best steps in a free case review.

What Is a Police Report?

When a car accident occurs, law enforcement typically attends the scene to investigate and document what happened. The attending police officer typically fills out a written accident record. Here’s what you need to know about police reports:

• A police accident report is an official document documenting the details of a car accident.
• The document typically includes information such as the accident’s date, time, and location and the names and contact information of everyone involved.
• The report also contains a description of the accident, including how it occurred, the extent of the damage to the vehicles, and any injuries sustained.
• The officer may include observations and conclusions about what or who caused the accident in the documentation.
• The report may also include statements from all involved persons and witnesses.
• Accident reports can also include diagrams or photos of the accident scene to help illustrate what happened.
• Any citations at the accident scene would also be noted in the report.

The information in a police car accident report can be used by insurance companies, lawyers, and others involved in legal proceedings related to the accident. Therefore, the details must be as accurate and as complete as possible.

Filing a Police Report

Knowing how to file a police report can be crucial. The document provides an official record of the accident, which can later be used for insurance purposes or in a legal case. Your best step for ensuring that you document an accident with a police record is to call the police when you experience a crash. The attending police officer would then draft the document and allow you to request a copy for your records.

Police Do Not Always Attend the Accident Scene

Sometimes, a police officer might not be able to attend an accident scene due to the following or other reasons:  

• The property damage value is too low
• There are no injuries in the accident
• A major emergency is occurring at the same time

It is always best to call law enforcement after a crash and let them decide whether to attend the scene. If the police are not attending, record all the critical details of the collision, and take pictures of the accident scene and involved vehicles.

How to File a Police Report After the Accident

If the police did not attend your car crash, you could file an accident report with the police department in the area where the accident occurred. Filing a police accident report may vary depending on your location and the specific procedures of your local police department. However, here are the steps you can take:

1. Contact the Police Department

Call the non-emergency number for the police department near the crash scene. Explain that you were involved in a car accident and wish to file an accident report.

2. Provide Information

Have the following information ready when you call:

• Your name, address, phone number, and driver’s license number
• The vehicle make and model
• Your license plate number
• The date, time, and location of the accident
• A detailed description of the accident
• The weather and road conditions at the time of the crash
• The cause of the accident

3. Obtain the Report Number

The police department will provide a report number once they create your accident report. Write this number down and keep it in a safe place. In the days after filing the police report, follow up with the police department to determine whether they require additional information or need you to sign the accident report.

Since the laws regarding accident reporting vary by state, consider consulting an experienced car accident lawyer for specific guidance. You may have legal recourse and qualify for damages. Morgan & Morgan has helped thousands of car accident victims recover the compensation they deserve.

Why a Police Report Can Be Essential for Your Claim

Understanding how to file a police report can be useful if you have to pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit after a car accident. Police reports are not always admissible as evidence in court. However, they usually contain the attending officer’s opinion of who is at fault for the crash, which can be critical for the success of your car accident insurance claim or lawsuit. Here are some reasons why a police report can be a vital document:

Objective Record of the Crash

When police officers respond to a collision, they document the details in an accident report. This report will include essential information like the names, contact information, and insurance details of everyone involved.

Official Documentation

The police report is an official document, meaning it can carry some weight in insurance claims and legal proceedings. Insurance companies and lawyers may rely on the information in the accident report when determining who was at fault and how much compensation the victim deserves.

Provides Evidence

The police report will also include information about:

• The condition of the vehicles involved
• The weather and road conditions at the time of the accident
• Eyewitnesses present at the crash scene
• Citations issued to drivers, for example, for speeding or drunk driving

If you decide to pursue legal action, the information contained in the report can help your attorney build a strong case against the at-fault party.

Helps Avoid Disputes

Without a police accident report, proving who is at fault for the accident can be tricky. Disputes between you and the other party or with insurance companies can be avoided with an official accident record.

Can Speed up the Claims Process

Insurance companies can quickly deny claims or minimize your payout, citing a lack of evidence or missing information. However, filing a police report can help speed up the claims process, as it contains vital information your insurer needs to handle your claim quickly and efficiently.