Any time a car accident takes place, an officer will file a report. Obtaining a copy of this report can help you in proving fault in the other party.
Car accidents can take a significant toll on your health and finances, so you must understand if and when you should hire an auto accident attorney that can investigate your accident and ensure you are treated fairly. In order to work with lawyers, it’s essential to have the police report in hand. Here, we discuss how a car accident police report can shed light on the circumstances of the collision and show who was at fault.
An Overview of Car Accident Police Reports
One key question must be answered after any car accident: who was at fault? The answer to this question will determine which party’s insurance will cover the victim’s damages.
When a police officer investigates the scene of an accident, they will collect specific details about the accident for inclusion in a police report. According to NOLO, those details may include:
- Basic facts about the crash: where and when the accident happened, what the weather, lighting, and road conditions were at the time
- Personal information for all involved parties, including names, addresses, and insurance information
- Injury details, including whether the injury required medical treatment or hospitalization
- Statements from the drivers and passengers involved in the accident
- Witness statements from anyone who saw what took place
- A visual representation of the accident
- Information about vehicle damage, such as where the damage is located and how bad it is
- Violations or citations, if there are any
- An opinion on who is at fault for the accident
How a Police Report Can Be Used to Help in Proving Fault
While the level of detail in police reports varies, the information they contain is critical to secure. An officer may state his or her opinion on who is at fault for the accident.
It is important to distinguish between opinion and fact. While most of the report is factual, such as the date, time, and location, the officer’s opinion is subjective.
For that reason, mentions of broken laws or citations may prove more valuable in proving fault in a car accident.
How to Obtain a Police Report
There are two ways to go about obtaining a police report after a car accident:
- You can contact your insurance company. Assuming they have already requested the report, your insurance company will provide you a free copy.
- You can contact law enforcement to obtain a paid copy of the report. After the accident, the responding officer will give you a receipt and report number to lookup
- An auto accident lawyer can also obtain and review the police report, as well as physical evidence and additional documentation to build your case
Contact Car Accident Attorneys Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks
If you’ve been in a car accident and need help proving fault, you want the lawyers of Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks on your side. We’ll review your case, give you exceptional legal advice, and help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We serve residents of Utah County and Salt Lake County, so if you’ve been in a car accident, contact us today for a free case evaluation.
