If you are ever involved in an auto accident, it’s crucial to be prepared to act responsibly and in line with state law. No matter the severity of the accident, or who was the at-fault driver, filing a police report can protect you.
Colorado requires all auto accidents to be reported immediately. Call the police after the accident, and be prepared to give a statement of what happened. If a police officer isn’t involved, report the accident using the forms provided by the Colorado DMV or the online crash report provided by the Colorado State Patrol. Sometimes, police will show up at the scene of the accident, and other times they will not. It’s useful to prepare for both of these circumstances prior to getting in an auto accident.
An Official Police Report
An official police report is created by the responding police officer who was sent to the accident scene. This police accident report is a summary of information about the collision, containing both facts related to the accident and the investigating officer’s opinions about what happened.
It’s a police procedure after a car accident to record the date, time and location of the collision, contact information for all parties involved, information for witnesses, vehicle damage, weather, roadway and lighting conditions at the scene, statements from the involved parties and witnesses, necessary citations and his/her opinion about the cause of the collision.
If you are able, collect a business card from the responding officer – if you ever need to access the car accident police report after the accident, call the phone number on the business card.
An Unofficial Police Report
There are many car accidents each day, and there are limited police officers available. So, when a police officer is not dispatched to the scene of the accident, one or more parties involved in the accident create an unofficial report. Police will show up at the scene of an accident if there are fatalities or major injuries, if there was a hit and run, if public property was damaged or if any party was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
When filing an unofficial police report, include everything that a police officer would, record witness statements and contact information, record a personal written statement of what happened, record any injuries and take pictures of the accident and damaged vehicles.
After an accident, stop and make sure everyone involved is not injured. If anyone is severely injured, call an ambulance right away. Never leave the scene of the accident. Pull off of the road and be aware of passing traffic and any other potential dangers. Do not panic.
If you hit an unattended vehicle, it is required that you make an effort to locate the owner of the vehicle, but if you cannot find the owner, leave a note including your name, contact information and a brief description of what happened.
How long after a car accident can you file a claim? Right away! And unless you are arrested after the accident, the police report will not show up on your record.
When thinking about the importance of a police report, remember that an official, third-party report is always going to be seen as more substantial and trustworthy than the opinion and stories of either of the involved parties. A police report is important to have in order to establish the facts and circumstances of the accident. No matter the severity of the accident, major or minor, a police report can protect you from the other party coming after you with unfounded claims related to the accident.
What do I do if the police report is wrong? You can dispute a police report, but the officer will only alter the report if he or she is provided with strong evidence that the report information is false.
If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney may be able to help you cover medical expenses, lost wages and damage to your vehicle. A police report could help strengthen your case.
At McDivitt Law Firm we have a team of Colorado auto accident attorneys, case managers and support staff who are ready to answer questions about your accident. We’re available 24/7, call us right now toll free at (877) 846-4878 for a free initial consultation form.
What Should I Do If There Is an Error on the Auto Accident Report Filed by a Police Officer?
Discovering an error on your auto accident report is a hassle that adds considerable insult to injury. But don’t worry—mistakes happen, and there are ways to fix them. As a Colorado auto accident injury law firm, we have lots of experience helping clients correct mistakes on accident reports in Colorado and can show you exactly how to do it. If you spot inaccuracies in your accident documentation, take these steps to fix them:
- Get a copy of the report: You can request a copy from the Colorado DMV or local police department. After receiving the document, carefully review it for mistakes and highlight any that you find. Misspelled names and addresses, incorrect plate numbers, and misquoted statements are common. Flag all errors, no matter how small.
- Gather evidence that disproves the error: To fix a mistake, you need to provide accurate information. For example, if your name was misspelled, you can use your driver’s license to show how your name should be spelled. The type of evidence required will vary based on the specific inaccuracy.
- Contact the police department that created the report: The police department will work with you to fix any problems. If they need more information than you provided, review the request with your attorney, then provide the info based on your attorney’s recommendations.
- Keep your insurance company informed: Let your insurance company know that you found an inaccuracy on the document and are getting it fixed. They’ll typically wait for the revised report before processing your claim, as mistakes could slow down the claims evaluation process.
- Work with an attorney: If you’re updating the report because you are filing a personal injury suit against the other driver, have your attorney look at the document. Your lawyer will identify any issues and provide guidance on how to resolve them.
By following these steps, you can quickly correct any errors on your auto accident report. Remember, accurate documentation is crucial to the success of your insurance claim or personal injury case, so fixing any mistakes is worth the effort.