Being in a Springdale car accident could be a physically painful, frustrating, or life-altering ordeal. Many accident victims are under the wrong impression that filing a personal injury claim and obtaining financial compensation is a simple affair. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case.
Our experienced Springdale car accident attorneys know that many victims’ claims are denied because they lacked enough evidence to prove another driver was to blame. In some cases, an injured victim fails to document their injuries because they mistakenly believe they are minor. Two ways to prevent this from happening are talking with a competent attorney and obtaining the police accident report from your crash. The steps you have to take to obtain your report depend on who responded, the Springdale Police Department or the Arkansas State Police.
Our Springdale personal injury attorneys will work to build an injury case on your behalf. One of the most critical pieces of evidence available is the accident report. This document includes vital information that will serve as a foundation for our investigation. To discuss your injury claim or how to request a police report, call (479) 316-0438.
Requesting an Accident Report in Springdale, AR
After any accident, you should call the police and seek medical attention. Afterward, no matter how the crash occurred, it is advisable to obtain a copy of the accident report. How you request this document depends on the responding officer. If it was a local Springdale police officer, you will have to contact the Springdale Police Department. On the other hand, if a state trooper arrived at the crash scene, you will have to request a copy of the report from the Arkansas State Police. While similar, the details for each are different.
Springdale Police Department
There are three ways to request an accident report from the Springdale Police Department. No matter what method you choose, you will have to provide your name, driver’s license number, license plate number, the parties involved, your mailing address, email address, phone number, and the report number. You will also have to provide the location, time, and date of the accident. For more detailed information, you can visit the Springdale Police Department online.
- To request an accident report by phone, call (479) 751-4542. Be sure to have the above information available when you call.
- To request a report in person, go to the Springdale Police Department located at 201 Spring Street, Springdale, AR 72764
- You can also request a police accident report online.
Every copy of the accident report costs $15. Please include a money order or certified check payable to the “Springdale Police Department.”
Arkansas State Police
If the Arkansas State Police responded to your accident, the process is slightly different. You can request your accident report in person, by mail, or online.
To request your report by mail or in person, you must first complete the “Crash Report Request Packet.”
Once the packet is completed in full, you can either take it in person or mail it to:
- Arkansas State Police
- Att: Crash Records Section
- One State Police Plaza Drive
- Little, AR 72209
If you are mailing a request, be sure to include a self-addressed envelope, a copy of your ID, and a certified check or money order for $10 payable to “Arkansas State Police.”
The easiest way to get a copy of the Arkansas State Police Crash Report is online. These reports are typically available ten days after the accident and cost $10.
To obtain an accident report, you will have to provide the following information.
- The last name of at least one person involved in the accident
- The date and location of the crash
- The accident report number of the driver’s license of at least one driver involved in the accident
What is Included in a Springdale Accident Report?
The accident report provides our Arkansas car accident injury attorney with valuable information. The responding officer is the first person to investigate what occurred, making observations based on the accident scene and statements from witnesses and those involved in the crash. Additionally, the report will also include other vital information.
- The location, time, and date of the crash
- The weather and road conditions at the time of the accident
- The contact information of all individuals involved in the crash
- Insurance information for the relevant drivers
- Descriptions of the damage to the vehicles
- List of injured parties and injuries suffered
- Citations, if any were issued
- A diagram of the incident
- A preliminary conclusion of what caused the crash
The Important of an Accident Report After a Springdale Car Accident
For our Springdale car accident lawyers, the police report is a crucial piece of evidence. It includes important details and information about what occurred and who could be held liable. When building a personal injury claim arising from a car accident, the police report often serves as a starting point, including providing the responding officer’s observations and contact information of eyewitnesses.
If you believe there are mistakes in the report, contact our office. Factual errors, such as your name, license plate number, or the name of a passenger are usually easy to correct if you provide evidence of the mistake. However, if there are discrepancies that are based on subjective matters, it will be more difficult to challenge the report. In some cases, you might be able to provide an amendment to address your concerns.
Call Our Springdale, AR Car Accident Lawyers if You Have Questions Regarding Your Crash Report
Car accident cases are more complicated than most people think. Building a successful personal injury claim takes time, experience, and resources. A critical resource in nearly every case is the police accident report. If you have been in an accident or have questions about your legal rights, contact our Arkansas personal injury lawyers at (479) 316-0438.