Getting every shred of information related to an accident, including the corresponding report from law enforcement, is crucial if you need compensation for car crash injuries in Conway.
Before you get the police report for your recent auto accident in Conway, you have to call the police to report the accident. Do not expect anyone else to do this for you, even if you are seriously injured. Then, our lawyers can explain the information you will need to access the report, like your driver’s license number and basic facts about the accident. Accident reports are available from the Conway Police Department via online Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Victims can choose to get reports sent to them digitally or through the mail. When we have the report, we will review it alongside you and look for any potential inaccuracies or errors. If there are mistakes in the report, we can alert the Conway Police Department. Otherwise, we will see if the report contains unknown information that could help your case, like eyewitnesses’ identities.
Call (479) 316-0438 to set up a confidential and free assessment of your case from our Conway car accident attorneys.
What to Know About Getting and Using Police Accident Reports in Conway
For police reports to exist, victims must call 911 to report accidents. In the following days, officers will finalize incident reports, after which victims can obtain them from the Conway Police Department. Getting your accident report is important, as it might point our lawyers toward useful evidence in your case, such as eyewitnesses who we could interview and who could testify in your lawsuit.
Before Getting the Report
To eventually get an accident report from the Conway Police Department, you first have to call 911 to report a collision. You should do this anytime you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, even if it seems relatively minor. Underlying injuries are common and often deserve compensation.
Stay at the scene until officers arrive. When speaking with law enforcement, recount everything you can remember about the accident, specifically regarding the at-fault driver’s negligent actions. Point out your injuries and any property damage to your vehicle. Officers should talk to eyewitnesses, too, and include their details in the report. On top of recording information in the report, officers may take pictures or videos to help preserve evidence. You should also take pictures of the crash site if your injuries permit.
In the days after, gather the information you will need to access the report. This typically includes your personal information, driver’s license number, and the accident’s basic facts, like its date, time, and location. You might need the report number, too, so do your best to remember it when officers tell you at the crash site.
Anticipate the Conway Police Department’s completion of the report taking a few days. Keep getting the necessary medical care as you wait for the report to be ready. Depending on how serious your injuries are, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days after the accident anyway.
When Getting the Report
You can get your incident report from the Conway Police Department by submitting a Freedom of Information Act Request on its website. When getting your report this way, you will need to input the report number as well as your name, email, phone number, and address. If you do not recall the report number, you can indicate that, but you might have to provide more specific information about the accident to locate the report.
You can request a paper or digital copy of your report, and the Conway Police Department will send it to you after your request is approved. Paper copies cost two cents per page, and discs cost $5 each.
The time it takes for the Conway Police Department to process and approve your records request may depend on various factors. If you sent in your request several days ago and have not heard a response, our lawyers can contact law enforcement to determine the reason for the delay or whether there is an issue with the report. If you face any difficulties getting the report, do not hesitate to seek assistance from our car accident attorneys.
You can go to the Conway Police Department in person for a copy of an accident report. If you choose this option, you should call beforehand to confirm the report is ready so that you do not unnecessarily waste a trip. When requesting your report online, we can help make sure you give the right information so that the Conway Police Department sends your copy to the proper email address or mailing address.
After Getting the Report
After we have the accident report, we’ll assess how it may benefit your compensation case. Although police reports are not admissible evidence in Arkansas lawsuits, they can strengthen claims in other ways.
For example, suppose police officers interviewed eyewitnesses after the accident, which they often do after catastrophic car accidents. While the statements eyewitnesses give to police officers at the scene may be inadmissible, the fact that police officers spoke with eyewitnesses means their contact information may be in the report. This can let our lawyers identify eyewitnesses and interview them ourselves, recording their statements to use as evidence in your lawsuit.
Our lawyers can refer to the police report to comprehend the basic facts of your accident and upcoming case and use it as a reference while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
It is important to read the report to ensure its accuracy, and our lawyers will alert officers at the Conway Police Department of any mistakes, no matter how small.
Call Our Lawyers in Conway About Your Case
Call (479) 316-0438 to discuss your case for free with our Conway, AR personal injury attorneys.