A police report is one of the most important documents in a car accident claim. It contains the officer's observations, statements from drivers and witnesses, a diagram of the accident scene, and often a preliminary determination of fault. Insurance companies rely heavily on police reports when evaluating claims.
Getting your police report quickly allows you and your attorney to assess the strength of your claim and identify any inaccuracies that need to be addressed. Attorneys in our network* obtain and analyze police reports as part of their case evaluation. *Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
How to Obtain Your Police Report
Police reports are typically available 5 to 10 business days after the accident. You can obtain your report through several methods:
Online: Many police departments now offer online report portals where you can search by date, report number, or your name. Services like LexisNexis and BuyCrash.com aggregate reports from multiple jurisdictions for a fee of $10 to $25.
In person: Visit the police department that responded to your accident with a valid ID. Fees range from $5 to $25 per copy.
By mail: Send a written request with your name, the date and location of the accident, the report number (if known), and the applicable fee.
Through your attorney: Your personal injury attorney will obtain the police report as part of their standard case preparation, typically at no additional cost to you.
What the Police Report Contains
A standard police report includes identifying information for all drivers and vehicles, contact information for witnesses, the officer's narrative description of the accident, a diagram showing vehicle positions and points of impact, weather and road conditions, citations or violations issued, and a contributing factors section that may assign fault.
The most important section is the officer's narrative and contributing factors. If the officer determined the other driver was at fault (ran a red light, failed to yield, was following too closely), this significantly strengthens your claim. Insurance companies give substantial weight to police findings.
However, the police report is not the final word on fault. Officers sometimes make errors, particularly when they arrive after the accident and reconstruct events from statements alone.
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What to Do If the Police Report Contains Errors
If the police report contains factual errors (wrong street name, incorrect vehicle information, inaccurate diagram), you can request a correction by contacting the police department and providing evidence of the error.
If the officer's narrative or fault determination is unfavorable, you generally cannot change the officer's opinion. Instead, your attorney will gather independent evidence -- dashcam footage, surveillance video, witness statements, accident reconstruction analysis -- to build a case that contradicts the police report.
Courts and insurance companies can consider evidence beyond the police report. A skilled attorney has overturned many unfavorable police reports by presenting compelling independent evidence.
Let an Attorney Review Your Police Report
An attorney in our network* will obtain and review your police report, identify any issues, and advise you on the strength of your claim. Free consultation, no fees unless you win.
Call (267) 212-1034 today.
*Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
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or text us — we reply in minutesFrequently Asked Questions
A police report is not always legally required, but it is strongly recommended and many insurance companies require one. Without a police report, liability disputes become harder to resolve, and the insurer has less evidence to support your claim. Always call police to the scene of any accident involving injuries or significant property damage.
If police did not respond (common for minor accidents), you can file a report yourself at the police station within 24 to 72 hours in most jurisdictions. Some states require self-reporting for accidents above certain damage thresholds. Your attorney can advise on your state's requirements.
Police reports are generally admissible as business records or public records, though the officer may need to testify about their observations. The officer's opinion on fault may or may not be admissible depending on the jurisdiction. Even if the report itself is excluded, the facts documented in it can be presented through other evidence.
Most police departments retain accident reports for 3 to 10 years depending on the jurisdiction and severity of the accident. Fatal accident reports are typically kept indefinitely. Request your report as soon as it becomes available to avoid any issues with records retention.
The police report includes the officer's opinion on contributing factors and may indicate fault, but it is not a legal determination of liability. Insurance companies and courts make independent fault determinations. The police report is influential but can be challenged with additional evidence.
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(267) 212-1034*Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.