After an accident, drivers are often required to call the police and report the crash. Not only will the police respond to the scene and render aid, but they may also investigate and write up a report on the accident.
Insurance companies usually demand a copy of the police report before they do anything else. If you take your claims to court, the report might help you find useful details and evidence you can use to support your case. You can obtain a copy of the report from the authorities who responded to the crash. This might include local or state authorities. It might be possible to obtain a hard copy through the mail or request one online. The time it takes to get a copy of your report might vary. Lengthier investigations usually mean it takes longer to get the report. It would be best if you talked to a lawyer about how to decipher the information in the report and use it effectively.
If you recently reported an accident to the police, call our Irving, TX car accident lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. at (817) 476-1797 for help getting a copy and to set up a free case review.
Why You Need Copies of the Police Report From Your Car Accident in Irving, TX
The police report for your car accident might be very important if you file an insurance claim or take legal action for damages. Often, injured drivers have a hard time getting any compensation if they do not have a copy of the police report. As such, you should always report an accident to the police and follow up with them later for the report.
Insurance companies need some proof of an accident before they do anything. Insurance companies see many fraudulent claims, and they need proof that your accident is real. A police report can show an insurance company that your accident really happened and even shed light on your damages. Many insurance companies require a police report for them to pay out any compensation. Our Irving, TX personal injury lawyers can help you review your insurance policy to see if a police report is required. Even if it is not, you should still get one.
You might also need a police report to find evidence for a lawsuit. While the report itself is likely inadmissible in court because it violates the rule against hearsay, we might still have use for it. The police might have found evidence that is admissible, and details about that evidence might be in the report. This way, we can use the report as a guide to find evidence we can use to support your claims for damages and compensation.
Where to Obtain the Police Report for Your Car Accident in Irving, TX
Generally, the authorities that responded to your crash likely wrote the report. Since different authorities might have responded to your accident, we need to check with the specific law enforcement agency in your case. This might include local Irving police or Texas Highway Patrol. Reports might be available in person or online.
Police reports for car accidents from the Irvine police are available online. Requests can be submitted using a digital portal provided by the Texas Department of Transportation. Using this portal, you must locate your report by entering details about you, such as your license or VIN number or the crash ID from the police if you have it. Once you have located your report, you can download it for a fee. This portal may include reports from local law enforcement as well as the state.
In Irvine, you may also get a copy of the report in person. According to Irvine authorities, police reports may be obtained in person at the main Irvine police station. There should be a records window you can visit and request a copy of your police report. If you make the request like this in person, there is a small $6 fee.
A good way to get information about your report and how to get it is to keep in touch with the officers who responded to your accident. Often, the responding officers are the ones who actually write the reports. Let them know that you need the report as soon as possible, and they might help us get a copy quickly.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Copy of the Police Car Accident Report in Irving, TX
The amount of time it takes a driver to get a copy of the police report from their accident varies. In some cases, the report is ready fairly quickly. In others, the report is not ready for weeks or more. While it is a good idea to get your report as quickly as possible, you might have to wait a while.
Generally, the longer it takes the police to investigate the accident, the longer it will take them to finalize their report. Investigations tend to take longer when accidents involve more people and injuries. Multi-car accidents will take longer to investigate and report than single-car crashes. If you were injured in a larger accident with more people, you might end up waiting for a report.
Reports might also take longer to get if the police have suspicions about how the accident occurred. For example, if they suspect the other driver was intoxicated during the crash, they might take more time to investigate. The same goes for hit and run accidents where the other driver flees the scene. The police might take days, weeks, or even months to track down the other driver.
Contact Our Irving, TX Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you recently reported an accident to the police, call our Houston car accident lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. at (817) 476-1797 for help getting a copy and to set up a free case review.