How to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident?

A police accident report is generated by a police officer responding to a car crash scene. The report summarizes the crash scene with specific details such as location, time, and weather conditions at the time of the accident.

Getting a police report is crucial regardless of the nature of damage, whether a fender bender or severe collision. A police accident report forms a basis for establishing fault and determining the party who’ll cater for accident-related losses.

Insurers and car accident attorneys rely on the findings of a police accident report to conduct their independent investigations.

Consult a St. Louis car accident attorney for legal advice on the steps to take when injured in a crash caused by someone else.

How to Obtain a Police Car Accident Report

You can first ensure a police accident report exists by informing the authorities of a crash once it occurs. Once a law enforcement officer arrives, they will take down critical crash details. Later on, you can request a copy of the car accident report from the police department according to its procedures.

You are not legally obligated to speak to the law enforcement officer once they arrive at the scene. Even so, it helps your case to provide them with an accurate account of how the collision occurred. Additionally, leaving the scene of an accident in Missouri can result in serious legal consequences. Similar to Kansas, where you could be arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident, and if the accident is not reported promptly, you may also face penalties for failing to report the incident within a required time frame.

Request the following information from the law enforcement officer to assist you later when seeking the police report:

Obtain their name(s)
Badge number(s)
Police incident report number, if available

Retrieving a Copy of a Police Accident Report

You can obtain a copy of the police accident report from the agency that responded to the crash. If you have the incident number, you can call the department and request a copy for a fee. Some police departments allow drivers to download a police accident report from an online portal.

Obtaining a Car Accident Police Report in Missouri

You should determine which agency wrote your report and follow the procedures for requesting a copy. This might be the Missouri State Highway Patrol, St. Louis County Police, or the St. Louis Metropolitan Police, for example.

The records department may require the following information to expedite your request:

Report number
Date and time of the crash
Location of the crash—exact address or street details
Nature of occurrence
Full names of persons involved

Following an accident-related injury, you likely have a lot on your plate. Fortunately, your car accident lawyer can handle obtaining the police report and presenting it as part of your car accident claim to insurance companies and other relevant parties.

Injured in a Car Accident? Get in Touch With an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

An experienced car accident attorney can compile various sources of evidence, including a police accident report, to demonstrate fault and extent of injuries. Burger Law car accident attorneys have a proven track record of obtaining maximum settlement values for injured victims.