If you or a loved one were in an auto collision, motorcycle accident, bicycle accident, or fatal car accident a police officer responded to, a crash report can give you and your attorney evidence to build a strong claim for compensation. You can do so by getting in touch with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) or Louisiana State Police (LSP).
At Laborde Earles, our New Orleans car accident lawyers can explain how to obtain a copy of the report and fight for the damages you need to get back on your feet. Let’s take a closer look at how to get a car accident report in New Orleans.
How to Get a New Orleans Accident Report
If you were involved in an auto collision and a police officer responded to the accident scene, you may get your car accident report through the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) or Louisiana State Police (LSP). If the NOPD handled your accident, you can get your report by clicking the “Online Accident Reports” link at the bottom of the City of New Orleans webpage.
If LSP handled your accident, you can search for your report through the Louisiana State Police (LSP) crash report search database.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
Other Ways to Obtain a Police Report in New Orleans
You can also request a police report or other public record documents through the public records request portal. This online portal can help you communicate with your city government and directly request any public documents you may need.
Requests made on the public records request site are made publicly viewable, as well as the documents requested. You can search through the database of requests and records already compiled for police reports or other records, which may eliminate the need to make a request.
Requesting Police Reports in Person
If you were hurt in a collision in New Orleans, you can also get a car accident report in person. You can submit a request by visiting the Records and Identification Division, located at 715 South Broad Street, New Orleans, on the first floor. The office’s hours are Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. You can only submit an in-person request for:
- Police reports.
- Background checks.
- Letters of good conduct.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
Some Information Will Not Be Shared in Police Reports Or Public Records
When police reports are made available to the public, certain information will be withheld. Information will be redacted or not disclosed if it intrudes upon a person’s privacy or may lead to public disgrace. Information that won’t be disclosed in public reports includes the following:
- 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
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
How Much does a Police Report Cost in New Orleans?
The NOPD charges a fee for copies of reports and for researching records. Fees vary depending on the type of document requested and the amount of time needed to research.
The LSP charges $11.50 for each crash report online. You have the option to purchase crash reports at your local troop office, but only fatal crash reports are available. The fee for a crash report at a local troop office is $16.50.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
How Soon Can I Obtain a Police Report?
If you’re dealing with bodily injury or property damage from an auto accident, you’ll want to act fast to obtain a report, file a claim, and demand damages. Fortunately, police reports from the New Orleans Police Department are available 20 days after the accident, and the Louisiana State Police makes crash reports available 10-15 days after the accident.
A Personal Injury Lawyer in New Orleans Can Obtain a Police Report for You
Obtaining a police report should be a straightforward process but can become a headache when you’re trying to recover from an accident, plan your next steps, and gather other pieces of information that are required to file an insurance claim.
If any of the options mentioned above for obtaining a police report fails to work for you, consider reaching out to an auto accident attorney for help. A trusted law firm may obtain your accident report for you, making the claims process easier and less stressful.
A Legal Team Can Also Account for Your Car Accident Losses
In addition to getting your car accident report, a New Orleans auto accident lawyer can provide several other services. One of the most important things a personal injury attorney can do for you is to calculate your losses and fight for the financial remedies you deserve. Here’s what a dedicated car accident lawyer can do to get the results you’re looking for:
Determine Your Losses
As an accident victim, you might not know exactly how many compensable losses you’ve suffered until it’s too late. Luckily, an attorney can identify the economic and non-economic losses you’ve suffered. They’ll calculate the total value of your personal injury claim and make sure you receive every penny of compensation you’re owed.
To make sure you get a fair settlement, an attorney can take the following actions on your behalf:
- Create a record of all of your accident-related losses
- Seek evidence of each loss
- Assign a value to each loss
- Determine how much compensation you deserve
Draft and File Your Claim
Whether you’re filing an insurance claim or lawsuit, a lawyer can handle the entire process. Here’s what an attorney can do to make sure your case is filed correctly:
- Complete written aspects of your claim or lawsuit
- File the claim or suit
- Complete all subsequent paperwork for your case
Louisiana generally imposes a strict one-year deadline for personal injury cases, per CC §3492. An attorney can obtain a copy of your New Orleans car accident report, build a strong case on your behalf, and file your suit as quickly as possible to ensure compliance with the statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
Protect Your Rights
When you hire an attorney, you gain the assistance of a highly skilled legal representative who will direct all their efforts toward protecting your rights. Here’s what a lawyer can do to safeguard your right to fair compensation:
- Protect you from insurance companies
- Defend you from other attorneys
- Prevent you from making potentially damaging statements
Insurance companies or other attorneys may threaten your rights in several ways. It’s a lawyer’s job to protect you from the following insurance and legal tactics:
- Lowball settlement offers
- Intimidation with complex legal language
- Threats to deny your claim
See Your Case Through Until Completion
Obtaining a car accident report in New Orleans and filing your claim is just the first step. A lawyer can handle every other duty required to complete your case. They’ll negotiate with insurers and even take your case to court if that’s what has to be done.
Compensation You Can Get from a Car Accident Injury Claim
Suffering injuries and losses in an accident can be incredibly stressful. The good news is that a New Orleans attorney can use a copy of the car accident report and other forms of evidence to file a strong claim for the following compensatory damages:
Covered Medical Expenses
Injuries from your accident may require:
- Ambulance rides
- Emergency department care
- Emergency surgery
- Medical imaging, including X-rays, MRIs, and more
- Non-emergency surgery
- Medications for bodily injury pain
- Antibiotics to prevent infection
- Follow-up medical visits
- Rehabilitation
Severe injuries may require the use of medical devices and equipment. You may need to retrofit your home, vehicle, or both to accommodate your injuries. An attorney can fight for the settlement money you need to afford the medical devices, prescription medications, and care you need to treat lasting and permanent injuries.
Covered Professional Costs
Your accident may cause exponential damage by disrupting your professional life. The professional costs of your accident may include:
- Lost income
- Loss of your ability to perform your job
- Loss of earning power
These losses can seriously impact your ability to support yourself and your family. If a car crash has impacted your professional life, an attorney can offer the legal advice and advocacy you need to recover compensation.
Pain and Suffering
A serious crash can be just as hard on the mind and body as it is on the bank account. That’s why a lawyer can also seek non-economic damages like pain and suffering as well as the following:
- Fear of driving or riding in motor vehicles
- Generalized anxiety
- Depression
- Physical pain
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Emotional anguish and psychological trauma
An attorney can work hard to identify all the non-economic losses you’ve suffered and fight for the damages you need to deal with the emotional impact of your collision. They’ll make sure to account for all forms of pain and suffering when calculating the value of your settlement or judgment.
How Much does It Cost to Hire a Law Firm?
If you need to pursue damages after a car wreck, you’re probably wondering how much it costs to hire a lawyer. Since most attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, you won’t have to pay upfront or out-of-pocket for experienced representation. Instead, your lawyer’s payment will come from the settlement or judgment you receive.
This form of payment comes with the following benefits:
- Prevents you from direct financial costs
- Allows you to access representation regardless of your financial situation
- Allows attorneys to represent clients who deserve justice
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Attorney from Our Firm
Now that you know how to get a car accident report in New Orleans, it’s time to enlist the services of an experienced attorney who can use the report and other forms of evidence to file a winning claim. A New Orleans car accident lawyer from Laborde Earles can obtain a copy of the report, use evidence to build a case for your compensation, and fight for the damages you’re owed.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and get the advocacy you need to move forward. An attorney from our team can meet with you to discuss your crash, assess your losses, and advise you on what steps must be taken to get the justice and remedies you deserve.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION
24 hours a day • 7 days a week
