If another driver injures you in a car accident, do not hesitate to call the police to investigate the crash. After you get medical care, contact our lawyers for help getting a copy of your police report and filing a lawsuit.
You will likely need a copy of your police report to file an insurance claim against the other driver. This provides proof that the accident actually occurred. Fortunately, victims have several options to get their reports. After about two weeks, your report should be available online. You can also mail in a request to the Arkansas State Police, regardless of who investigated your crash. Once we have your report, we can prepare your case. The report will provide an overview of the accident and its severity. We can also use it to identify other parties that can help your case, like witnesses who saw your accident and spoke to the police.
For a free case analysis with our Van Buren car accident lawyers, contact us today at (479) 316-0438.
Can I Get My Police Report Online for My Car Accident in Van Buren, AR?
The short answer is yes, you can get your police report online for a Van Burn car accident. The first place you would naturally look for your report is the police department that investigated your collision. In most cases, that is likely to be the Van Buren Police Department (VBPD). However, the VBPD does not currently have an online method to access its police reports. It is not uncommon for some local Arkansas police departments to not have online access. The reason is that the Arkansas State Police has developed a central repository to which all police accident reports are sent.
Thus, you can get your report online no matter what law enforcement agency completes it. Our Van Buren truck accident lawyers can explain what purpose your police report can serve when you file a lawsuit. If you need your report now, visit the Arkansas Department of Public Safety website. There, you can access individual crash reports using your report number or accident information.
You can also get your accident report from the above link if your accident was investigated by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office or the State Police.
In any case, you will need to wait about two weeks before your report is available online. It might take a few days for the police to file the report with the repository, which then needs to be processed. Your police report should be available after ten business days, but it could be there sooner. The report will also cost about $10, as a service fee is added to online purchases. Contact our lawyers if you are having any trouble accessing your report online.
Are There Other Ways to Get a Copy of My Police Report in Van Buren, AR?
There is one other way to get a copy of your police report in Van Buren: by mailing in your request. You will need to direct your request to the Arkansas State Police. First, though, you must fill out each required field in the State Police crash report request form. Parts of this form can be confusing, so if you are having any issues, do not hesitate to contact our lawyers for help. That way, you will not have to wait potentially weeks to get your report back.
Once we have completed your form, we can help you mail it to this address:
Arkansas State Police
Attn: Crash Records Section
One State Police Plaza Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas 72209
Again, reports will usually not be available for possibly two weeks, so it is likely best to wait until ten days have passed since your accident before mailing your request.
Unfortunately, the Van Buren Police Department’s website does not provide information about whether you can pick up your police report in person from its Records Division. For more details on whether you can get your report from their office, contact the Records Division at (479) 471-5022 or visit them at police headquarters located at 800 Fayetteville Road, Van Buren, AR 72956. Even better, contact our firm for this information and more about how filing a lawsuit can help you get coverage for your car accident damages.
What if My Police Car Accident Report Contains Juvenile Information in Van Buren, AR?
One of the few times you will not be able to use the online option above is if your collision report contains information about a juvenile. Whether the juvenile was a driver, passenger, or witness to the accident, obtaining their information will be a bit more challenging. Numerous privacy laws protect juveniles in order to conceal their identities and information from public records. A police report is a public record. Thus, there will usually be additional steps to confirm you are entitled to the report.
Of course, you can contact the Arkansas State Police’s Records Section for more information by calling (501)-618-8130. However, our team recommends reaching out to us first to explore the quickest options to get your report.
What Type of Information is Included in a Car Accident Police Report in Van Buren, AR?
Most police reports are full of information crucial to proving the elements of a car accident claim. Reviewing the information in your police report is the best way to determine what information is useful and what is lower priority. However, it is important to keep in mind that police reports cannot be used as evidence in a trial. But that only means trials. There is no rule on using them during settlement negotiations with insurance companies. In the majority of cases, insurance companies also rely on police reports, so they are typically necessary to file a claim.
One section that will be particularly important to our team is the investigating officer’s narrative section. Here, the police will note important facts they observed on the scene. This will include damage to the vehicles they noticed, debris on the road, and how the accident likely occurred. It should also include descriptions of your injuries. This can help get an idea of your injury’s severity if they have healed since then. These facts will be important when arguing liability later. While one fact might not show liability conclusively, the totality of facts could be more than enough.
Your police report will also include witness information if one or more saw your accident and stopped. If people witnessed your accident, we can use this portion of the report to contact them. The report should include most of the witness’s information, but if there is only a phone number or address, that will be enough for our team to contact them and see if they can testify on your behalf.
Our Van Buren, AR Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Today
Reach out to our Van Buren personal injury attorneys today at (479) 316-0438 to receive your free case review today.