Car accidents whether caused by minor, or severe collisions can be distressing and are often filled with a lot of adrenaline, concern, and confusion for the parties being involved.
Now, meanwhile, there is all the chaos after an accident about the safety of the vehicle and the health concerns, One of the most overlooked things is the car accident report in all of this chaos.
A lot of people think that it is just a bureaucratic formality when it is one of a lot more than that in reality and is prepared by attending law enforcement officers.
A personal injury lawyer in Houston is always there to help you understand the rights of the victims or the party being affected.
What is a Car Accident Report?
It is a document that is prepared by the law enforcement officer that provides an official record of the incident and describes the involved party, the circumstances, the witnesses, and some initial assessment of the fault.
Now, all of this information is important and holds value in insurance and legal proceedings. This report serves as a key evidence for the people that were involved in the accident
This document is extremely helpful when it comes to making an insurance claim, so this helps a lot in finding out the liability and speeding up claim processing. With that, in cases where is legal action needed, this report can serve as the best possible evidence from a victim’s side.
Details in Car Accident Report
The exact details entered in a car accident report can vary according to the jurisdiction being followed. However, here are the details included in a car accident report.
The Parties Involved: This includes the names, contact details, and the information of insurance of the drivers and the passengers involved in the accident.
Vehicle Details: The make, model, variant, color, license plate number, and the visible damage at the point.
Accident Details: This involves a narrative of how the accident happened, including the location, time, and other factors like weather or road conditions.
The diagram: A visual representation is done to provide a clear picture of the accident scene, including the positions of both the cars and the traffic signals and stuff.
Witness Statement: It includes the names and the testimonies of the witnesses of the accident if there are any.
Officer’s Remarks: These are the notes made by the officer of any preliminary assessments that he made.
Steps to Get a Car Accident Report
Obtaining an official car accident report can help streamline different processes involved in the legal proceedings. Here is a guide for you to help get the car accident report.
Report the Accident
The number one step is reporting immediately to the authorities Some of the legislation also has legal requirements that are mandatory to follow when reporting accidents. This is usually when there is a lot of damage to the property or injuries involved.
After the report, a police officer will arrive at the scene and take a look at the situation. They usually collect the statements from the parties that are involved. This he does usually by getting information through observation or by interviewing witnesses.
Contacting Relevant Law Enforcement Agency
The next step is to identify an agency to contact them. It usually depends on the county sheriffs, the place where the accident occurred, and the city police. It is important to notice which agency was present at the site of the accident, as they will hold the report.
Also, make sure that you have the badge number of the name of the officer attending. This usually simplifies the process while you request the report.
Making the Request for Report
Before you try to get the report, know that there is usually a waiting period. The reports usually take from a few days to weeks to get finalized. This all depends on the type of accident and the damages being caused.
A lot of agencies have modernized the systems and offer accident reports through third-party platforms or official websites.
If you feel like online is not your thing, you can always visit a sheriff’s office to get the report. It is always better to call the office before paying the visit. On the other hand, the agencies also allow mail requests for a report in the form of a file with the needed information.
Fee Payment of Report
There is always a fee associated when it comes to obtaining the report. Whether it is online or offline, the report does charge a good amount of money. Now the fee varies depending on the length of the report and the jurisdiction.
The Bottom Line!
After looking at the above-mentioned steps to get a car accident report, everyone should understand the importance of it. So, all in all, a car accident report is not just confined to a summary, it is way more than that. Once you know how to get it, it all becomes really easy to navigate through.