How Can I Get a Copy of the Police Report after a Car Accident?

If you’ve been injured by another driver’s negligence in a car accident, you’ll seek fair compensation through a car accident claim that is based on evidence such as the police report generated. The police report includes primary information such as the drivers and vehicles involved and sometimes also speaks to liability. 

Obtaining a copy of the police report, in other words, can play an important role in your claim, and the good news is that the process has been streamlined and can generally be accomplished online. 

If another motorist’s negligence leaves you injured, don’t wait to reach out to an experienced New Mexico car accident attorney. 

Going to the Correct Source

The matter of obtaining a copy of your car accident police report depends on which agency was involved. If it was the local police department, you’d go through their website, but if the accident in question happened on a highway, you’d turn to the NM Department of Public Safety website. 

Asking the attending officer for the report number at the accident scene can simplify the process, but if you don’t have the number, a bit more digging will lead to the same results. Most Texas counties partner with an online source that allows them to manage and distribute police reports online, which means there is a relatively small fee involved. You can also pick up accident reports in person at the corresponding police stations during regular business hours.

It’s important to note that it can take a couple of days for a recent report to become available. Delivery of your police report can be through the mail, electronic, or physical – if you go to the police station and pick it up. 

How Police Reports Can Be Helpful

The information shared in the police report associated with the accident that caused you to be injured will include all the following key information:

• The date and time of the accident, which help set the scene in terms of primary factors, such as visibility and traffic patterns related to the time of day as well as weather conditions on that specific day 
• The location of the accident, which may be associated with high traffic, increased accident risks, or with specific traffic laws  
• The officer’s opinion, if any, regarding fault for the collision and traffic citations issued

The more details you have for your accident claim, the better prepared you’ll be to protect your rights to rightful compensation. It should be noted that errors in police reports are not unheard of, and if you spot any in yours, a trusted car accident lawyer can help you resolve the matter. 

Injuries Documented at the Scene

Your car accident claim will address your physical, financial, and emotional losses, which include your related medical bills and lost income. The police report that’s generated by the car accident in question sets the stage for identifying the injuries you sustained in the accident. While this is unlikely to provide a comprehensive view of your injuries, it can help establish that you were injured in the accident, which can be an important piece of evidence.

An Experienced New Mexico Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

If another driver leaves you injured in a car crash, the seasoned New Mexico car accident attorneys at Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway P.C. dedicate our impressive practice to tirelessly fighting for favorable claim resolutions that honor our valued clients’ rights, and we’re here for you, too. 

To learn more about what we can do to help, please don’t wait to contact us online or call 800-433-2408 today.