How to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Louisiana
To get a police report for a car accident in Louisiana, contact your local law enforcement agency. Request this document online, via mail, or in person. Alternatively, you can allow a Lafayette personal injury attorney with relevant car crash case experience to request the document on your behalf.
A Lafayette car accident lawyer can use your police report as part of an auto insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. They provide comprehensive legal services and support. Your attorney guides you through the legal process that follows your auto collision and positions you to secure fair compensation from any liable parties.
Why Do You Need to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Louisiana?
Getting a police report for a car accident in Louisiana strengthens your car crash claim. The document includes information about the time, location, and people involved in your accident, as well as police officer observations from the crash scene. It helps establish liability and can make it clear to an insurance company that you are not to blame for the incident.
In addition, obtaining a report for an auto accident boosts your chances of recovering maximum compensation from an at-fault driver or other parties liable for your crash. This document can detail the damage to your car and other harm you have suffered. As such, the report makes it difficult for a liable party or their insurer to contest your compensation request.
Meet with a Lafayette personal injury lawyer within days of your auto collision. Your attorney can discuss the value of a police report and what it means to your car crash case. Plus, they can answer any questions you have about why getting this documentation after a car accident in Louisiana is critical to achieving your desired case outcome.
How Do You Get a Police Report Following a Car Accident in Louisiana?
Submit your request online to the Louisiana State Police (LSP) via the police department’s real-time search. Or file your request via mail to the LSP or visit an LSP Troop Headquarters or the Public Safety Services Office in Baton Rouge to ask for a copy of your report in person.
It typically costs $7.50 to $11.50 for a report. To obtain a copy, you will have to provide your name, the parish where the accident occurred, and the date of the incident. Following your submission, it takes between 10 and 15 business days to fulfill your request.
Do not wait to ask for a copy of your report. The statute of limitations for a car accident case in Louisiana is two years. Suppose you do not get this documentation and file a claim for financial compensation from anyone liable for your auto collision within this time frame. In that case, you are solely responsible for all associated losses.
What Will Happen If You Do Not Get a Crash Report for an Auto Accident in Louisiana?
You are required to inform the police about an auto accident within 24 hours in the following situations:
- When someone is hurt
- When someone is killed
- When property damage in the incident exceeds $500
If your accident fits any of these criteria and you do not notify the police, you can receive a fine or jail time. You cannot get a police report in the days after the incident, either.
There are times when people make car accident claims without police reports. Insurance companies commit substantial time and resources to contest claims. Without a report, it becomes challenging to dispute an insurer’s case against you. Therefore, you could be held accountable for your auto crash losses even if you are not liable for your accident.
When it comes to an auto collision in Louisiana, be cautious. Calling the police at the accident scene or the day after the incident ensures you will be able to obtain documentation you can use in your case against any liable parties. This documentation can be used in conjunction with other evidence to prove that someone else should be held accountable for your losses.
Can an Auto Accident Lawyer Get a Police Report for a Car Collision in Louisiana for You?
A Louisiana car accident attorney can request a copy of this document for you and use it as part of their case investigation. With this document in hand, your lawyer can speak with and gather statements from witnesses, analyze how your crash happened, and identify any liable parties. They may also recommend consulting with accident reconstruction specialists.
The police department documentation surrounding your accident is one piece of evidence that supports your case for compensatory damages. Your lawyer can use accident scene photos, traffic camera footage, witness statements, and other proof to bolster their argument.
If you have an abundance of evidence, an at-fault party or their auto insurance carrier may be inclined to propose a reasonable settlement. Alternatively, if no settlement is reached, your lawyer can present your crash documentation and other proof to a judge or jury. From here, the court will decide whether to provide you with economic and non-economic damages.
Request a Police Report for Your Car Accident in Louisiana
When you contact the police department about an auto accident, officers come to the scene and collect information from all parties involved in the incident. Shortly after your crash, you can get a police report for a car collision in Louisiana. You can add this documentation to your body of evidence to use against any liable parties.
At Laborde Earles, our team has helped clients recover over $1 billion in compensation in personal injury cases. We can connect you with a car accident lawyer to assist you in obtaining a police report and other proof for your auto crash insurance claim or lawsuit. Contact us to get started.
