After a car accident, drivers typically contact the police for help. Depending on how the crash occurred and the extent of the damage, the police may conduct an investigation. The police report about the crash may contain various details needed for an insurance claim or a lawsuit. Our legal team can help you get a copy of your report.
First, we must identify the police department or agency that handled your accident. When law enforcement officials arrived at the scene, were they from the local police department or were they state police? This may determine where we submit a request for a copy of the report. We may submit such a request online by filing a formal request under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). Remember, accident reports might not be available right away, and we may have to wait a few weeks.
For a free case review, call our Linden, NJ car accident lawyers at Agrapidis & Maroules at (201) 777-1111.
Identifying the Police Department or Agency Involved in the Case
Our first step is to determine which police agency or department handled your accident. In some cases, drivers know right away which police department handled the accident because they meet the officers at the accident scene. In others, drivers might be taken to the hospital before they encounter the police, so they might not yet know who has the police report.
Generally, accidents around Linden may be handled by the Linden Police Department. If you are unsure who the officers were who responded to your accident, our Linden, NJ personal injury lawyers can contact the local authorities to check.
It is also possible that the state police are handling your accident. This may be more likely if your accident happened on a state or interstate highway rather than a local street. In that case, we must contact the state police to get a copy of your report.
Requesting a Copy of a Car Accident Report from the Police
Since the police report about your car accident is a formal police document, we must go through formal legal channels to request a copy.
When requesting police reports from the Linden Police Department, we have to fill out forms under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). Police reports are not publicly available, and the police may only divulge this information if we file specific OPRA request forms.
We must similarly make a formal request for police reports from the state police. Like the local police, the state authorities prefer requests to be submitted online. Remember, these police departments use different online portals, and you must make sure you are using the right one.
Availability of Car Accident Police Reports in Linden, NJ
Accident reports are not available immediately. You may have to wait for the police to investigate and finalize their report. Depending on the situation, this might take a few days or a few weeks.
Accidents that are relatively straightforward might require minimal investigative efforts from the police. In those cases, reports may be made available more quickly.
If your accident involved serious injuries or death, the police will likely investigate more thoroughly. As such, it might be a few weeks before the accident report is made available. You might wait even longer if the authorities are interested in pursuing criminal charges against someone involved in the accident.
Do I Have to Pay a Fee to Get a Police Report After a Car Accident?
Getting a copy of a car accident report from the police will likely not be free. There is usually a small fee involved, and this fee may vary depending on the length of the report or whether you are requesting additional types of documents.
When getting a report from the Linden Police Department, we may have to pay only a few cents per page. The actual cost may vary depending on how long the report is, postage fees, and how you want the report delivered.
The state police may charge a fee based on the location and circumstances of the accident. Reports for accidents that occurred on non-toll roads cost $13. Toll road accident reports only cost $5. If the accident was fatal, there may be additional information, like investigative reports, digital media, photos, and statements that will cost $20.
Why the Car Accident Report May Be Important in Linden, NJ
Getting a copy of the police report from your car accident may be important in several ways.
First, insurance companies often require a copy of a police report, especially if the accident is serious or involves fatal injuries. If you cannot present a copy of the report, there is a good chance that the insurance company will deny your claim.
Second, police reports may be useful in personal injury lawsuits, especially if severe injuries are involved. Police reports are typically inadmissible as evidence in court, but they may be used to help us locate admissible evidence.
What if I Did Not Report My Car Accident to the Police?
If you did not report the accident, there is no police report unless another driver reported the accident. In that case, you should still reach out to the authorities so they can get your side of the story.
If you did not report the accident, talk to your attorney. Failing to report certain kinds of accidents may be considered an offense. Under N.J.S.A. § 39:4-130, drivers are required to report accidents to the police if the accidents involve the injury or death of any person or property damage exceeding $500. You are required to report the accident by “the quickest means possible.”
Speak to Our Linden, NJ Car Accident Lawyers for Help Getting a Police Report
For a free case review, call our New Jersey car accident lawyers at Agrapidis & Maroules at (201) 777-1111.