What Information Should You Collect
If the police tell you they cannot make it to the accident, ask them what you should do. Make sure you take down all the information using a car accident form or checklist. Also take down the name of the person you spoke to when reporting the accident, in case you need it later in court.
- Find witnesses, if possible.
- Record the damages, location, and the other party or witness versions of what happened.
- File your report with the police as soon as you can and give the police officer the details you collected.
You will need to file your own report and insurance claim if the police are not there to help. You can go to a nearby police station and report the accident. In some jurisdictions, you can file a police report for certain accidents online. The information collected from the car accident can be one of the most important tools in determining fault and who is financially responsible for the car accident.
Always be honest and detailed with the police officer because it will help you in the long run. Filing a detailed and accurate report means the insurance claim process will likely move more quickly.
Damage/ Mischief To Property
Has someone damaged, defaced or vandalized public or private property? This may include:
- Breaking windows, mailboxes, throwing eggs, spray painting, writing or drawing on property.
- Accepted only if there are no known suspects.Please Note: If you were a victim of graffiti vandalism, paint vouchers and graffiti wipes are available for pick up at Police Headquarters.
If The Police Do Not Come To The Accident
There may be times that a police officer can’t come to the scene of the accident. Here are a few reasons why that might happen:
- In some states, the police are not required to go to the scene of an accident if the property damage value is too low. If you are concerned about injuries or other issues, make the police aware when you call it in. Having more details can help them decide whether they will come.
- The police may decide not to come if there are no injuries.
- If there is a public emergency or disaster underway, they may be too busy to make it to the scene of your crash.
You should always make a call to the police and let them decide whether they’ll come out. If the police do not come to the scene, then make sure you record all the details of the accident and any damages yourself.
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What To Do If You Believe The Police Report Is Incorrect
Because the police were likely not there when the accident occurred, the accident report might be incorrect. If so, you can seek to amend the report. Please note, since the report is the product of the responding officers investigation, the decision as to whether or not to amend the report is generally subject to the officers discretion.
We recognize that the Police Accident Report may be wrong. We advocate for you. If your recollection of the accident, the physical evidence or witness statements vary from the account in the police accident report, we will vigorously fight to prove that the accident happened in a manner consistent with your testimony and that the police report is incorrect.
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How Do I Get A Police Report
A police report is usually created by the investigating officer at the scene of the accident. It contains a summary of the crash, including any facts or opinions the officer had while investigating the scene. It does cost a fee to get the report, between $15 and $25.
The application to obtain a copy of the police report can usually be done in person, via mail, or online via the police department website, depending on the department. For instance, the Pennsylvania State Police asks you to submit an application via mail after 15 days have elapsed since the date of the crash.
Usually, the police will provide you with a crash receipt following the accident. This isnt a full report but will provide you with important information such date and location of the accident and the other partys information.
If you have any trouble obtaining your crash report, an attorney can help you get the information.
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Are Police Reports Admissible In Court
While police reports are commonly used in car insurance settlement negotiations, admitting a police report as evidence when you file a car accident lawsuit is not quite as clear cut.
In small claims courts, litigants are usually permitted to use police reports as evidence in their car accident case. You will not be expected to know all the rules of evidence, so judges typically will allow plaintiffs and defendants to use the police report in explaining what happened.
If your car accident case goes to trial in your state’s court of general jurisdiction , you should know that parties in these cases are held to the rules of evidence and must contend with whether the police report falls within the rule against “hearsay” evidence, which keeps out many out-of-court statementsby definition, any assertion made in a police report is a statement that was made out of court. In some jurisdictions, the police report may fall within the “public records” or “business records” exception for admissibility. In other jurisdictions, different exceptions to the hearsay rule may apply and allow you to admit some or all of the police report as evidence.
If the police report isn’t helpful to your position, or if there are early signs that the other side is digging in for a fight, having an attorney on your side can be critical. Learn more about how a car accident attorney can help, and get tips on finding the right injury lawyer for you and your case.
What’s In A Police Report
At the scene of the car accident, if you pay close attention you may notice the investigating officer inspecting vehicles, talking to people, measuring distances, writing notes, and taking photographs. The officer is taking some or all of these steps in preparation for drafting the police report. In short, the police report is a summary of the police officer’s investigation of the accident. The report will often contain some or all of the following information:
- approximate date, time, and location of the collision
- identifying information for parties involved in the car accident, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information
- identifying information for witnesses
- statements from the parties and witnesses
- citations and/or violations of law, and
- opinions as to cause of the collision and/or a fault determination.
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How Long After A Car Accident Can You Still File A Police Report
States have their own laws about how soon a police report must be made after a car accident. Most require that the accident be recorded immediately, which is why it’s so important to call the police no matter how minor the incident may seem. Other states, like Ohio, range from a couple of days up to six months. If you are unsure, look at your local laws or call the police and ask if it is necessary.
Speak With An Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you suffer from injuries in a car accident in New York, give attorney Anthony A. Ferrante a call today. Anthony A. Ferrante, Esq. founding partner of Ferrante & Koenig, PLLC, serves clients all over New York City from offices in Brooklyn and Long Island. He dedicates his career to seeking justice for those injured due to the negligence of another and has recovered millions of dollars for his clients.
If you have any questions about requesting your NYPD accident report or need a lawyer who can help you establish a stronger claim, give Attorney Anthony A. Ferrante a call at .
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Why Do I Need A Police Report
The crash report for your accident will contain crucial information about your case. The police take the time to investigate the accident, inspect the vehicles, talk to witnesses, and take photographs of the scene. All this information will be included in the report, including the following information:
- An approximate date, time, and location of the accident
- All contact information of the parties involved, including the insurance information
- Any information as provided by witnesses of the accident
- The damage to the vehicles
- The conditions of the scene such as the state of the road, weather, and visibility
- The statements provided by the other party and witnesses
- Any citations or violations that were issued by the officer
Also included in the police report will be opinions by the police as to what was the cause of the crash and who may be at fault. Despite what the officer believes, remember that your insurance company will draw its own conclusions about what had occurred.
What Not To Do At The Accident Scene
Getting into a car accident can be a shock. Its important for you to stay calm, avoid arguing with the other driver, and handle the situation properly. Don’t do this :
- Take responsibility or assume liability in any way
- Agree to pay for the damages
- Agree to forget about the accident
- Accept money or any form of settlement
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If A Police Officer Was Not Present At The Scene
- If a police officer was not called to the scene of the accident you may file an accident report online.
- If an accident report is filed online by an individual, the report does not get investigated by a law enforcement agency. The reports are kept for record purposes only.
- Provide the other driver with your:
- Name
Alberta Car Accident Stats
Alberta traffic collisions are common. There are about 385 collisions in the province each day. These are just the reported collisions. In 2015 alone, there were :
- 140,705 collisions
Where and how do car accidents in Alberta happen?
- 84.1% occur in urban areas 15.9% in rural areas
- 26.4% are intersection related
- 3.4% of accidents involve a driver who has been drinking 0.3% impaired by drugs
- 25.7% of drivers in fatal collisions were reported as travelling at an unsafe speed
- Saturday recorded the most fatal collisions at 53 and Friday recorded the most injury collisions at 2,288
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Requesting Your Accident Report From The New York State Department Of Motor Vehicles
For accidents that occurred in Nassau County or Suffolk County, we have found it best to request the report from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles . There are two ways to request your accident report:
- Online: To obtain your accident report online, you will need a credit or debit card and you must fill out this form. You must have at least one of the following pieces of information: the plate number of a vehicle involved in the accident, or the 8-digit DMV case number . The cost of requesting a report online is $22 . Of course, fees are subject to change.
- : We greatly prefer utilizing the online request method because of the immediacy of the results so that other necessary documentation can be filed promptly. However, for those who prefer mail, the procedure is as follows: To obtain a report through the mail, you must fill out a Request for Copy of Accident Report. The form asks you to provide as much information as possible about the accident . The cost of requesting a copy by mail is $25 . Again, fees are subject to change.
Whether you obtain the police accident report online or by mail, be sure to save proof of payment as you may submit this to the No-Fault Insurance carrier for reimbursement.
Access Accident Reports You Already Purchased Online
You will have 7 calendar days to access reports you already purchased online. After 7 days, you will need to purchase the reports again.
You will need
- your email address, and
- the Report Confirmation Number – do not enter the Search Confirmation Number
Note: Some customers have experienced from our website. Make sure your operating system and web browser are up to date.
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Should You File A Report For Small Accidents
Even if there is only minor damage, it is still smart to file an accident report to record the details. The damage isn’t always clear at the time of the crash, and you might notice added injury or loss at a later time.
You don’t know what the other person in the car accident will decide to do or say after you have left the scene. Filing a report means the police can help make sure the details are correct.
What To Do If You Do Not Have The Receipt
Sometimes, people need a Police Accident Report and they do not have the Incident Report. For example, if you are a passenger or pedestrian that was involved in an accident, it is quite likely that the responding officers did not provide you with any documentation.
If you do not have the receipt, give the clerk:
- Your full name
- Approximate time and location of the accident
- A license plate number of at least one of the involved vehicles
The clerk should be able to use this information to retrieve your case details.
For a free legal consultation, call
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Reporting A Hit And Run Car Accident
If you are the victim of a hit and run accident, call the police immediately. If you were in the vehicle when the accident occurred, try to get :
- The plate of the other vehicle
- A description of the vehicle
- A description of the driver
- Location and the direction the vehicle fled
- Any other information that can help identify the other vehicle/driver
Do not attempt to follow the vehicle. If your vehicle is driveable, visit the nearest police station.
How To Obtain A Car Accident Police Report In New York City Or Long Island
Home » Frequently Asked Questions » Car Accidents » How to Obtain a Car Accident Police Report in New York City or Long Island
It is easy to obtain a car accident police report for accidents that happened in the City of New York or on Long Island. It has been our experience that the easiest way to get a report for accidents that happened in the City of New York is to visit any NYPD precinct. The easiest way to get a report for an accident that happened on Long Island is to visit the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles website.
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How To Request Records Contained In A Major Collision File
Major Collision Bureau investigates all Motor Vehicle Collisions resulting in a fatality or serious personal injury that occur in the Region of Peel.
If you are NOTthe Involved Party to the Collision
You must provide proof of relationship to the involved party and a signed consent on behalf of the involved individual.
If the Involved Individual is Deceased
You are required to provide an authorization from the legal representative or power of attorney with supporting documents.
***Do Not Send Payment Until You Have Been Invoiced***
Contact Information
Please contact Martine Renwick, Information and Privacy Unit at or email at for additional assistance.
Know How To Contact The Officer Who Filed Your Report
After the accident report is filed, make sure you get a card and/or direct contact information from the police officer who filed the report.
Often after an accident, you may only remember details after you’ve rested and calmed down. These details can be very important, especially if the car accident claim snowballs into a lawsuit.
If you find you have remembered some key details after the accident report is filed, contact the police officer and see if you can add these details to the accident report.
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Request From Ppd Records Department
- You must make an appointment to pick up the report.
- The Records Office can be reached at 243-6416 or at .
- Appointments can be scheduled between the hours of are 8:30 AM to 2:30.
- There are times when the police reports you seek will not be available at the time of your request. Please be advised that the Access to Public Records Act gives a public body ten business days to respond.
- If you feel you have been denied access a police report, you have the right to appeal to the Police Chief.
- If you are still not satisfied, you may file a complaint with the Department of Attorney General, located at 4 Howard Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920, or file suit in Superior Court.