A critical piece of documentation following a car accident is the police report. It provides key details about the collision and may even help determine liability. But what happens if you request a copy of the report from your accident and find errors?
Errors on police reports aren’t always out of the question. Use the information below to address this issue so you can move forward with a personal injury claim.
Why Accurate Police Reports Matter
When you file a personal injury claim after a car accident, the insurance company representing the at-fault party needs to see evidence. Submitting photos from the scene, witness testimonies, and medical records could all support your claim. However, an officer’s official accident report provides plenty of robust information, including:
- The names and contact information of the parties involved
- The accident’s time and location
- Statements from drivers, passengers, or witnesses
- Illustrations of the accident scene
Responding officers may name a possible cause of the accident, which helps determine fault. Claimants looking to pursue compensation should provide a copy of the accident report to facilitate the process and support their claim.
Identifying Potential Errors on Police Reports
An inaccurate accident report could lead to insurance claim issues. Submitting a report with critical errors may prolong the process or even lead to a denied claim, depending on the circumstances. Carefully review the document to catch any of the following issues:
- Factual mistakes: Police reports could include inaccurate information that you must address. This may include a misspelled name, incorrect license plate number, or inaccurate insurance information.
- Transcription errors: While officers may record facts at the scene, the transcription process can introduce changes in the official report.
- Factual omission: Rather than mistyping information, officers could omit certain facts entirely. Disputes may arise if the official record doesn’t show key details of a crash, such as poor road conditions or low visibility.
These errors on police reports aren’t out of the realm of possibility. When you request a copy of the document, read it thoroughly to spot any problems. You may also have your lawyer look at it to identify possible issues that could impact your claim.
Promptly address police report errors. Law enforcement officials may need to revise the document so you can submit it without any lingering issues.
Navigating the Report Correction Process
Depending on the type of errors you find on a police report, fixing them could be fairly simple or a bit more challenging.
Suppose there’s a factual error on your report, such as a missing digit in your driver’s license number or a typo in your name. You could present these issues to the police department, along with supporting documentation. In this case, your driver’s license would prove the inaccuracy, which could prompt a revision.
Perhaps the report implies that you’re at fault in the accident. Changing this information may not be as simple. You’ll likely have to compile evidence in your favor and may require legal assistance.
If you’d like to request changes to the report, it’s wise to have it in writing. Send the department an amendment request that outlines the following:
- Your name
- The date of your accident
- Your report number
- Information about the errors
- Evidence that supports a need for an amended report
Contact Our Firm for Guidance on Car Accident Cases
Finding errors on police reports can leave accident victims pondering their next move. If you find yourself in this situation and are unsure of what to do, please contact our team at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers. We assist clients with car accident claims, including gathering and reviewing police reports.
Connect with us online or call (484) 351-0350 to schedule a free consultation.
