How to Get a Police Report in After a Car Accident?

After being involved in a car accident, getting a copy of your police report should be a top priority. The burden of proof in a car accident or personal injury claim is based on a preponderance of the evidence. This means the evidence presented at trial must be clear and convincing.

Your police report will contain valuable information about how the accident occurred and who is responsible for causing it. With help from your dedicated Rhode Island car accident  lawyer from Gemma Law, you can request a copy of your police report by mail or online. When you are ready to demand justice but are unsure of where to begin, do not hesitate to contact our legal team for a 100% free consultation.

What to Do After a Rhode Island Car Accident 

Immediately after your car accident, there are some things you can do to start building a powerful case against the liable party. First and foremost, make sure you stop. Even if the accident was minor, if you flee the scene, you could be charged with a hit and run under RI Gen. Laws §31-26-1, and if anyone was seriously injured or suffered severe property damages, you may find yourself the subject of a personal injury lawsuit.

Once you move your vehicle over to the side of the road, call emergency responders and law enforcement officials for help. You need a responding officer at the accident scene to detail the collision and collect valuable evidence we can use to support your case. If the other involved party does not want you to call the police, it could be because they are uninsured, have a suspended driver’s license, or potentially have a warrant out for their arrest.

While waiting for emergency responders to arrive at the accident, you can collect evidence, such as the names and contact information of witnesses to the crash, and take photos of your vehicle and property damages. Even if your injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation. Your medical records can go a long way in proving the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life.

You Need to Obtain a Copy of Your Police Report Following a Car Accident in Rhode Island

If you collect evidence of the accident scene, you may be wondering how useful a car accident report will really be. When a neutral party like the police officer who responded to your accident details how the collision occurred, your accident report can help assert the police officer’s conclusions when negotiating with the insurance company or proving negligence at trial. Examples of details that should be specified in your Rhode Island car accident report include:

• When and where the accident occurred
• Whether any traffic citations were issued
• The involved party’s contact information and insurance details
• The responding officer’s conclusions about who is at fault
• The damage to the involved vehicles
• Witness, passenger, and driver statements
• A detailed description of how the collision occurred
• Notes that describe the injuries victims sustained
• The traffic and weather conditions at the time of the accident

Even with a car accident report in hand, the liable party and their insurance company may attempt to blame you for the accident. Since Rhode Island is a comparative negligence state under RI Gen. Laws §9-20-4, the at-fault party could escape full financial liability if you share the blame. Working with a reputable personal injury lawyer may be the best way for you to ensure fault is accurately evaluated in your case.

How to Obtain a Copy of Your Accident Report

You have the right to request a copy of your motor vehicle accident report after a collision. You can expect to pay a small fee for this report in accordance with RI General Law §42-28-37. The easiest way to obtain a copy of your crash report is by mailing a request in or submitting an accident report request online.

Request Your Car Accident Report by U.S. Mail

To request a copy of your accident report by mail, you should be prepared to pay a $15 fee via check or money order. Your request should include your name, the date of the accident, and your accident report number. You can send your request to:

The State of Rhode Island

Rhode Island State Police: Accident Bureau

311 Danielson Pike

North Scituate, RI 02857

Get a Copy of Your Accident Report Online

You can also request a copy of your accident report online at www.BuyCrash.com. Generally, these reports will be available within 72 hours after the report has been filed. However, if the accident is still under investigation or someone was killed in the accident, we may need to wait until the investigation has been completed or contact the Rhode Island State Police Accident Bureau to get the information we need.

To use the online portal to request a copy of your crash report, you will need to follow a simple request process that includes providing your crash report number, email, and selecting Rhode Island as the state where the accident occurred. Be prepared to pay the processing fee with any major debit or credit card. If you are having trouble getting a copy of your accident report online, notify your legal advocate with Gemma Law and we can help.

Turn to Rhode Island’s Leading Settlement Negotiators 

The car accident claims process can be a lot to handle when you are still recuperating from your injuries. Fortunately, when you enlist the services of a highly skilled car accident lawyer from Gemma Law, you can heal while our team handles the legalities, including securing a copy of your police report. With our firm taking over the legal details of your case, you can breathe easier and trust that our team will do everything possible to maximize your settlement.

Getting a copy of your crash report is just the start of our investigative process. After we conduct an intensive investigation into the collision, we may discover additional compelling evidence that can be used to prove the defendant’s liability for your damages. Fill out our quick contact form or call our office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as today.