How to Get a Car Accident Report in New Orleans

Contact the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) or the Louisiana State Police (LSP) to get a car accident report in New Orleans. Do so as soon as you can after an auto collision, motorcycle crash, or bicycle accident. An accident report gives you evidence to use in a case against any responsible parties. 

In addition, speak with a New Orleans car accident lawyer, as they can guide you through the process of obtaining a car accident report in Louisiana. Your attorney can serve as your legal advocate and representative if you seek compensatory damages from anyone liable for your crash.

How to Get a New Orleans Accident Report

If you are involved in an auto collision and call 911, the police will come to the accident scene minutes later. Police officers will gather information from you and other parties involved in the accident and any witnesses. They will use those details to prepare an auto accident report, which will be available within 21 business days. 

Below are ways to obtain a car accident report in New Orleans.

Police Department Request

If the NOPD handled your accident, you can request your report on the City of New Orleans website. Alternatively, if the LSP responded to your accident, you can find your report in the department’s crash report search database. 

Public Records Portal Request

Use the online public records request portal to ask for a police report or other public documents. Your records request is publicly accessible, and people can see the documents you have requested. Also, you can search the portal’s requests and records. By doing so, you could find your accident report without having to submit a portal service request. 

Request Your Report in Person

If you are hurt in a collision in New Orleans, you can get a car accident report in person. Submit your report request by visiting the Records and Identification Division at 715 South Broad Street in New Orleans on the first floor. The city office’s business hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Trust a New Orleans personal injury lawyer with relevant car crash case experience to assist you with getting a police report. Your attorney uses your report in conjunction with other evidence to build your case. If you have a wide range of evidence, you are well-equipped to secure fair compensation from anyone at fault for your auto accident.  

When Do You Need to Report a Car Accident in New Orleans?

Before you can get an auto accident report in New Orleans, you have to notify the authorities about your crash. This is crucial as you go through the claims process and deal with insurance companies following the incident. Per LA Revised Statutes 32:398, you must report a collision in Louisiana if any of the following are true:

• There is over $500 in property damage. 
• People are injured.
• People are killed. 

You must report a crash that meets any of the above criteria within 24 hours of the incident. A New Orleans car crash lawyer assists with your police report request. They can guide you through the process of filing a request for a crash report. If warranted, your lawyer can submit a lawsuit on your behalf and position you to recover damages for your crash-related losses. 

What Information Is Included in a City of New Orleans Collision Report?

A car collision lawyer reviews a City of New Orleans collision report carefully. The report contains information that can help those involved in auto accident lawsuits get the verdicts and settlements they want. This information includes:

• Date and time of the accident
• Crash location
• Names and contact information of the parties involved 
• Vehicle information (make, model, and license plate) 
• Insurance information of the parties involved 
• Witness statements and contact information 
• Police officer observations and conclusions 
• Diagrams and sketches of the accident scene 
• Weather conditions and road conditions at the time of the accident

You can make a car accident claim without a police report. However, it helps to have this report as you pursue compensation from anyone responsible for your collision. The report includes factual information from the police and other parties regarding your crash. It could prove to a liable party or their insurer that they should have to compensate you for your losses.

What Information Is Not Included in a City of New Orleans Accident Report?

City of New Orleans police reports detail the facts of an auto accident. They exclude information that intrudes on a person’s privacy or could compromise an individual’s safety. Information not disclosed in a collision report includes:

• Social Security numbers 
• Identity or contact information of victims of sex offenses or minor victims of any crime 
• Juvenile court records 
• Employee medical records 
• Criminal rap sheets 
• Identities of undercover officers or confidential informants 
• Job performance and complaint records of public employees 
• Expunged misdemeanor records 
• Law enforcement agency records for pending criminal investigations and prosecution

Share any concerns or questions you have about how to get a Louisiana Highway Patrol accident report or similar legal topics with a New Orleans auto collision attorney. With your lawyer’s help, you can make informed legal decisions as you deal with the aftermath of your crash. 

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Car Crash Report in New Orleans?

Expect to pay up to $20 for your collision report. The NOPD accounts for the time required for research and the number of copies requested to determine the costs of getting an auto crash report in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the LSP charges $11.50 for a crash report requested online and $16.50 for one requested in person, with additional fees if you pay by credit card. 

Look beyond what you will have to pay to receive a car collision report in New Orleans as you decide how to move forward from your crash. Police reports are difference-makers for those who want compensation after car accidents. Your report can make it clear that you are not liable for an auto collision.

In addition, seek legal help from a car collision attorney who knows what challenges you will face as you try to get compensation after your crash. Your attorney can share details about how to sue someone personally after a car accident or get money for your losses through an insurance claim. 

Do You Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Help You Get an Auto Collision Report in New Orleans?

A personal injury lawyer takes the guesswork out of obtaining an auto crash report in New Orleans. They provide FAQs and other legal resources to auto collision victims and their families. Plus, they ensure you can retrieve your report and submit a car crash claim promptly. 

The statute of limitations for a car accident case in Louisiana is two years. Your lawyer files your claim before this window elapses. They get your police report and other evidence to strengthen your case. 

As you pursue compensation, your lawyer remains on your side. They advocate for you and remain accessible to address your legal concerns and questions. Your attorney makes sure your legal needs are met at each stage of your case. 

What to Expect If You Partner with a Lawyer Who Helps You Get a New Orleans Auto Crash Report

Choose an attorney who has received many positive client testimonials to help you with your auto crash case. Your lawyer utilizes your crash report and other evidence to prepare a compelling argument. They offer legal services and support across several areas, including:

Finding Out Who Is at Fault for Your Crash

It is your responsibility to prove that someone is at fault for your collision. Your lawyer understands the burden of proof relative to your case. They consider the facts of your crash and may find that one or more parties could be liable for the incident, such as:

• Driver
• Mechanic
• Automaker
• Government entity

Your police report can describe who is responsible for your collision. When an experienced car accident attorney submits your report to an insurance provider in combination with other proof, it becomes difficult to argue that you are in any way to blame for the incident. 

Determining Your Losses

You have no idea how much your case is worth. Thankfully, your lawyer assesses your economic and non-economic damages. They encourage you to ask for compensation for various reasons, including:

• Medical expenses
• Auto repair or replacement costs
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Burial and funeral expenses if a family member dies in a fatal car accident

Your attorney explains what compensatory damages are and why you should request maximum compensation. As part of their efforts, they create a record of all of your accident-related losses and assign a value to each loss. They also seek a police report, witness statements, accident scene photos, and other proof to support your request for compensation based on your losses. 

Filing Your Claim or Lawsuit

The legal process that follows an auto collision can be stressful and overwhelming. Your lawyer takes care of this process for you. Here is what your attorney will do to make sure that your insurance claim or lawsuit is filed correctly:

• Submit the documents required for your claim or lawsuit in accordance with the statute of limitations.
• Track all claim or lawsuit documentation, including your police report and other evidence.
• Update you about the status of your claim or lawsuit regularly.

Ideally, your lawyer submits an insurance claim that shows the insurer you deserve fair compensation. Unfortunately, insurance companies commit substantial time and resources to dispute claims. If your attorney cannot get an insurance settlement that matches your expectations, they can bring your case to trial. 

Protecting Your Legal Rights

The party liable for your auto collision and their insurance provider are likely more interested in not covering your losses than preserving your legal rights. Your lawyer prioritizes your rights throughout your legal proceedings. They safeguard your rights and help you get the compensation you want by:

• Negotiating a settlement for you
• Speaking with a liable party or their auto insurance carrier for you
• Ensuring you can focus on your accident recovery while they prioritize your legal matters

Insurance companies or other attorneys may threaten your rights. Your lawyer defends you against lowball settlement offers, intimidation with complex legal language, and threats to deny your request for financial compensation. 

Obtaining a car accident report in New Orleans and filing your claim is one of the first steps of the legal process. Your lawyer handles every duty required to complete your case. They can even take your case to court.

How Much Money Can You Get If You Obtain a Police Report and File a Car Crash Lawsuit?

What your lawsuit is worth depends on how badly you were injured, the extent of your property damage, and other factors. A New Orleans auto accident attorney can use a copy of your car accident report and other forms of evidence to file a personal injury lawsuit. They can help you obtain damages for many reasons, including:

Medical Care Costs

Severe auto crash injuries may require the use of medical devices and equipment. Alternatively, you may need to retrofit your home, vehicle, or both to accommodate your injuries. An attorney can fight for the settlement money it takes to afford the medical devices, prescription medications, and care you need to treat your injuries.

Pain and Suffering

The physical and emotional toll of an accident can extend far beyond immediate medical expenses and property damage. A lawyer can seek pain and suffering damages for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other emotional anguish and psychological trauma. 

Loss of Income

After suffering from accident injuries that prevented you from returning to your job, tell your attorney about your loss of income. They can request compensation for your current and future lost earnings in your lawsuit.

A police report bolsters your case for these and other damages. Your lawyer teaches you about your legal options and the deadlines you face for requesting compensation. If you proceed with a lawsuit, your attorney utilizes a police report and every other piece of evidence at their disposal to compel the court to rule in your favor. 

Get Legal Help with Your Car Crash Case

When in doubt about whether to get a car accident report in New Orleans, LA, err on the side of caution. This report is valuable in insurance disputes and personal injury lawsuits. It could help you prove that anyone who is to blame for your accident should have to compensate you for the harm you have endured. 

Laborde Earles is a Louisiana law firm with more than 350 years of combined personal injury case experience. Our team knows how to obtain police reports and the deadlines for filing legal claims after auto crashes. Allow us to serve as your legal representation. Schedule a case consultation with us to get started with your legal claim.