Car accidents are famously challenging. You may have serious injuries, mounting expenses, and no idea how to begin an insurance claim or lawsuit. A great place to begin is with the police report about the accident, and you should hire a lawyer to help you.
We must contact the police department to get a copy of the accident report. If you are unsure which police department handled your case, talk to your attorney. It may have been local authorities or the state police. Once we know which department to contact, we need information about the accident and the people involved so that the authorities can locate your specific report. If you were whisked away from the accident because of severe injuries, you might not have this information handy, and your attorney should help you.
Ask our Albany, NY car accident attorneys for a free legal assessment by calling Basch, Keegan & Spada at (845) 303-2748.
Contacting the Police Department that Investigated Your Car Accident
First, we need to determine which police department wrote your car accident report and whether they have it ready for you.
Local Police
The local authorities may be involved if your car accident occurred within the city limits of Albany, NY. If you have the names or badge numbers of the police officers who responded to your car accident, we may contact them directly and ask about the report. Otherwise, the Albany Police Department makes car accident reports available online through CrashDocs.
State Police
If a car accident happens on a state or interstate highway, it likely falls within the jurisdiction of the New York State Police.
If your accident occurred on the New York State Thruway, which includes I-87 South and Albany, I-90 West of Albany, and the Berkshire Spur East of Albany, you must request a report from the New York State Thruway Authority.
All other collisions on roads within the state authorities’ jurisdiction may be requested from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
What if You Are Unsure Who Investigated?
It is understandable to be unsure which police department took charge of your accident. When accidents are severe, injured drivers might not even remember where the accident happened or if they spoke to the police. In such cases, talk to our Colonie, NY car accident lawyers about what you do know, and we can help you determine which police department has your report.
What Information Do You Need to Get a Copy of a Car Accident Report from the Police?
You cannot just walk into a police department and ask for a copy of your accident report. We need certain details about the accident so we can locate your report as quickly as possible.
Personal Information
Your personal information and information about other drivers involved in the crash may be necessary to locate your report. Even just your name and address can help us locate the report faster. Having the names of others involved in the crash will also help.
We should also provide details about the vehicle, including the make and model of the cars involved.
Date, Time, Location
The police likely have many different police reports being written at any given time. To make it easier to find your specific report, we may need information about the date, time, and location of the accident. Knowing the street where your accident occurred and the time of day is a big help.
Names of Investigating Officers
If we lack a lot of other details needed to find your report, we can use the names or badge numbers of the police officers who investigated the crash to find the report. If you spoke to the police at the scene, they may have given you their names or information on how to contact them about the report.
Why is it Important to Get a Copy of the Police Report After a Car Crash?
Getting a copy of the police report about your crash can help you when you take legal action against negligent drivers for compensation.
Results of Police Investigation
We might not fully understand how the accident occurred or who is at fault, and the police report may reveal these crucial details. The police should include various details about their investigation, including evidence from the accident and even their own conclusion about who is responsible.
Finding Evidence You Do Not Have
The report might contain information about evidence the police found during their investigation. Diagrams of the accident, photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and tire marks, and even statements from witnesses, may be included.
It is important to note that police reports are generally inadmissible as evidence because they violate the rule against hearsay evidence. However, we can still use the report to locate evidence that the police found that may be admissible.
Filing Insurance Claims
Many drivers injured in car accidents file insurance claims. The one thing that many insurance companies demand before processing car accident claims is the police report.
The report tells the insurance company that the accident is real, and your claims are not fraudulent. They may also consider the police’s conclusions in the report, unlike a court of law.
How Do I Know if the Police Will Write a Report About My Car Accident?
If you called the police after the accident, they should write an official report. What is contained within the report depends on the nature of the accident and the investigation.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Copy of a Police Report for a Car Accident?
Most reports are available within either 14 or 30 days, though sometimes they can take 3-6 weeks to be processed through the State Police.
Are Police Reports Required in Car Accident Lawsuits in Albany, NY?
Police reports are not required in lawsuits, but they can help plaintiffs find evidence to support their claims. The report itself may be inadmissible as hearsay, but it can lead us to other admissible evidence.
When Should You Inform the Police About a Car Accident?
Call the police immediately after an accident.
Speak to Our Albany, NY Car Accident Lawyers About Your Accident and Claims Today
Ask our Albany, NY personal injury attorneys for a free legal assessment by calling Basch, Keegan & Spada at (845) 303-2748.