Accidents happen. Most of the time, they can be resolved without much problem. But sometimes an accident is serious and evidence needs to be collected through a police report. Accident reports can help you fight your case if you’re in an accident and provide evidence if someone else causes damage to your property.
If you find yourself involved in such an incident as either a driver or pedestrian, it’s important to know what steps need to happen next. Otherwise, you could end up losing money on medical expenses and repairs, or by overpaying on an incorrect claim.
What is an Accident Report?
Accident reports are usually filled out by your local police department, but may also be completed by another law enforcement agency. The officer who fills it out will ask you for basic information about yourself and the other party involved in the incident.
An accident report records a car’s condition, the position of the vehicle, and any injuries sustained by those involved. It also includes information from eyewitnesses to the event that may have been able to provide insight into what happened. Many times diagrams are drawn to record the location of the accident, the path of the vehicle, and where the crash occurred. In some cases, an accident report may include the conclusions or findings of the responding officer.
Why You Need An Accident Report
According to Safer America, the average collision claim in the United States is $3,144. For a lot of people, that amount is difficult to afford. Whether you caused the accident or are a victim in need of compensation, you’ll need to make your case to get the claim to an appropriate amount. Police reports are the most reliable way to do this as they contain objective, unbiased information.
Accident reports are important to you if your vehicle sustains damage during an accident. If you suspect that someone else was responsible for the incident, having a police report in hand will make it much easier to fight insurance claims or take legal action against another driver if necessary. You can also use them as evidence of who may have been at fault in an accident.
If you are the one causing damage to another person’s property, having an accident report in hand can still help you resolve the matter. An accident report can be used to show authorities what happened and may help you avoid a fine or other penalties due to your actions.
Accident reports also include information about injuries sustained by each party involved during a car crash or other incident of property damage. If you are planning to file a claim for your injuries, having an accident report can help support that case.
Finally, accident reports will contain the information of the other party involved in the accident, which is essential for filing an insurance claim.
How to Find Your Accident Report
Accident reports are kept on file with law enforcement agencies. If you’re not sure which agency took care of things after an accident, you may have some trouble trying to find the right report. Accidents that occur on public roads are typically handled by city police departments, while accidents happening in parking lots or other privately owned areas could be taken care of by a municipal agency like code enforcement.
If you’re not sure where to begin your search for an accident report, there’s no reason to worry. There are reputable services available to help you streamline the process and guarantee you get the right information. Accident Records LLC, for example, will help you get access to Nevada highway patrol accident reports, as well reports in other states such as Florida, California, Illinois, and more.
A Final Note on Auto Accident Reports
Accident reports are necessary if you’re dealing with insurance claims or legal action related to your accident. Because of this, it can be frustrating when you’re having trouble finding your official accident report. If you’ve had an incident on the road or elsewhere involving injury or property damage, contact the responding police department or use a record retrieval service. Such services can often help you get in touch with legal experts and treatment professionals.
