How Do I Get a Car Accident Report?
You can get a car accident report from the police station or state police office. A car accident report typically has a minimal cost and is ready within several days of the accident. The officer who investigated the accident can explain the specific details of obtaining a car accident report in your state.
As soon as your car accident report is processed and ready for pickup, obtain at least two copies. Take one to the personal injury lawyer who represents you and keep one for your personal records. Your legal team may use your crash report to glean important information and critical details that bolster and support your potential right to financial compensation.
Prove the Cause of Your Collision with Your Car Accident Report
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), filing a police report is one of the first actions you should take following a car accident—whether doing so online or at the nearest police station. Your official report is important because it may contain the cause and contributing factors of the collision. It may note whether or not the at-fault driver:
- Was impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Ignored a traffic sign or signal
- Received any tickets or citations
- Was talking or texting on a smartphone
Your car accident report may also contain police-generated photos that depict damage and points of impact on both vehicles. It also helps prevent any distortion of the case facts if you or the at-fault driver decides to pursue compensation for the accident’s financial aftermath. In addition, your car accident may:
- Have witness names and contact information
- Note the severity of your immediately apparent injuries
- Contain details on any immediate fatalities
- Indicate the date, time, and location of the collision
Photos and Videos May Provide Important Proof
Like your car accident report, photos may be able to help tell the story of your accident. These visual depictions may provide proof of the extent of your injuries and property damage. If possible, share photos of the following with your legal team:
- Your injuries
- Your vehicle
- The at-fault driver’s vehicle
- The accident scene
In addition to photos, your legal team might be able to locate nearby residences and businesses that have video surveillance. These, too, may help prove the cause of the accident.
Confirm the Date of the Accident
Your car accident report may be used to prove the date the accident occurred. This date helps ensure compliance with the filing deadline. Called the statute of limitations, it defines how much time you have before your right to file a personal injury lawsuit expires.
If the allotted time expires, you may not be able to compel the at-fault driver to compensate you. By involving our legal team in your fight for compensation early, we can ensure compliance with the filing deadline and avoid the risk of having your lawsuit immediately dismissed.
Track the Severity and Cost of Your Injuries
According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 3 million people are injured, and nearly 300,000 are treated in emergency rooms on an annual basis due to car accidents. Sadly, around one hundred people lose their lives in car accidents every day.
Fatal and non-fatal car accidents cost nearly $75 million each year in medical care and lost income. The driver who caused your accident may bear responsibility for the cost of your injury-related medical treatments. Along with the cost of treating your injuries from the time of the accident until you are recovered, you may also be entitled to additional injury-related costs, such as:
- Your income loss
- Damage or loss of your vehicle
- The pain and suffering you are forced to bear due to your injuries
The crash report might note some of the damages you sustained at the scene of the accident.
Get Immediate Help from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers
When you obtain a copy of your car accident report and share it with our legal team, we can leverage the information it contains to fight for the compensation you may deserve. We can also help you get your car accident report if you have not already done so.
When you are ready to learn more about our services and your legal options, reach out to the personal injury team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers by calling (337) 777-7777. We provide all car accident victims with a free, no-obligation case review.
