How to Obtain an Accident Report
Finder Law Serves Clients Across Jefferson City, Columbia, and Central Missouri
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you will need to get a copy of the accident report. The insurance company will need this for any property or personal injury claim, so you should request this as soon as possible. The report will contain pertinent information that will assist your attorney in the claims process. Often, it will list statements from eyewitnesses, determine the at-fault party, describe the damage sustained to the vehicles, & other valuable information from the accident scene. Obtaining a copy of the report is a pretty simple process & is something your attorney will do at the start of your case if you haven’t already requested it.
How To Obtain a Report
In Missouri, you will need to contact the office of the responding officers. This could be the highway patrol, sheriff, or local police department. You will simply call their office & give them the information needed to find the report. There is usually a small fee for them to send you the report, so you will need to pay that as well. Usually, they will require that you mail a check along with a letter requesting the report. This should include party names, license plate numbers (if you have them), date of the accident, etc. The person you speak with can let you know the specific information they will need to be included in the letter. Once they receive it, they will mail you a copy of the report. Again, if you hire an attorney, they can take care of this step for you.
Elements of an Accident Report
This is the first legal document for any case involving a car accident. When law enforcement arrives at the scene, they will record all relevant information about the crash. They can assist in any further investigation needed & they have experience determining the cause & at-fault party of the accident. If you were injured, this is especially helpful since you may be unable to speak with eyewitnesses or gather information. Car accident reports typically include:
- Date & time of the accident
- Location of the accident
- Road & weather conditions (if applicable)
- Identifying & contact information for all parties involved
- Eyewitness testimony
- Testimonies of all parties involved
- Accident details, including point of collision
- Diagram of vehicle placement during the accident
- Description of damages to vehicles or other surrounding property
The officers may also give their opinion regarding the cause of the accident & who they determine to be at fault. Even if an officer believes you are at fault, that doesn’t mean you cannot move forward with a case. An attorney may be able to discover new evidence & do their own investigation, as well as show that the statement of the officer is an opinion, not evidence.
How the Report is Used in a Claim
The insurance companies will require an accident report as part of their investigation. This will help them understand what happened, so without this document, it’s difficult to determine who is at fault. The adjustor may also take photos of the accident, vehicles, etc. as part of the claims process.
An accident attorney will also use this information as part of your case as well. If the report states the other party is at fault, this can help in the negotiation process with the insurance company. They can also call law enforcement officers as witnesses if your case goes to trial so they can provide testimony of what they saw. Usually, insurance companies rely heavily on what is stated in the police report since they weren’t there, so if the report is favorable to your side, they may be more willing to offer a fair settlement.
Why You Need the Report As Soon As Possible
The faster you receive the report, the faster your attorney can get started on the claims process. This is usually the first source of information an attorney will review when evaluating your case. The longer you wait to receive the report, the harder it may be to obtain other evidence. For example, if there are security cameras in the area or eyewitness to the accident, the sooner you can get information from them the better. Security camera footage may be destroyed or taped over & memories can fade. Therefore, the quicker your attorney can determine who they may need to speak with to gather more information, the better your case may turn out.
Insurance Negotiations
Most of the time, car accident claims will be settled outside court. The better your evidence & the more experienced your attorney is, the more likely you are to receive a fair settlement offer. One of the most valuable pieces of evidence is the accident report.
Do You Need to Hire an Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s always best to consult with an attorney about your claim. They have valuable information & experience about how the process works & how to best negotiate with insurance adjustors. Without an attorney involved, insurance companies will take advantage of emotional pressure & other tactics to get you to settle for less than what is fair. Letting an attorney handle this process is usually best & almost always pays for itself.
Daniel Finder of Finder Law, LLC has over 10 years of experience in personal injury law & can help ensure your claim is settled fairly.
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific guidance, please contact our office directly.
