What Is Included in a Car Accident Report?
Getting into a car accident can be frightening and overwhelming. You may not know what to do or how to protect your rights as an injured victim. One of the best ways to document the details of the crash and create a record to use later is to call the police and request a car accident report. The car accident report can contain vital information that can strengthen your car accident claim.
What Is a Car Accident Report? Do You Need One?
A car accident report is an official document drawn up by a police officer after responding to the scene of a reported motor vehicle collision. The car accident report contains a summary of the crash and its key facts, as well as opinions from the officer. It is a good idea to call 911 from the scene of any crash – major or minor – to obtain an accident report.
According to Massachusetts law, you must legally file a Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report within five days of any car accident that causes physical injuries, a victim’s death or more than $1,000 in property damage. You must file a report even if you called the police to the scene of the accident. This report will contain details about the car accident from your perspective while they are still fresh in your mind.
The Features of a Car Accident Report
A car accident report will contain all of the basic facts about the crash, as obtained by the responding police officer. These facts can be used by car insurance companies or claimants later to determine how and why the car accident took place. The crash report will also have opinions as to the cause of the crash, such as the police officer’s belief that one of the drivers was texting and driving.
General features found in a car accident report include:
- Date and time (day, month, year and specific time)
- Location, cross-streets, road-markers and landmarks
- The full names and contact information of both drivers
- Both drivers’ license numbers
- Descriptions of both vehicles
- A description of any injuries
- The speeds and directions both vehicles were traveling
- The positions both vehicles are in (a diagram of the accident)
- The names of any passengers and eyewitnesses
- Weather and roadway conditions
- Whether either driver received a citation
- A description of the accident
- The officer’s opinion as to the cause of the crash
The exact information on your car accident report will depend on the circumstances of the crash and the attention to detail of the responding officer. Calling the police from the scene of your accident saves you from having to collect this information about your crash yourself while you are already dealing with the stress of the collision or serious injuries.
How to Get a Copy of Your Car Accident Report in Lowell
Massachusetts is one of only 12 no-fault car insurance states in the country. Under the state’s no-fault rule, you don’t have to determine or prove fault to recover financial compensation for your medical bills and vehicle repairs. You will file a claim with your own insurer and seek benefits from your personal injury protection insurance, regardless of fault.
If your injuries are serious, however, such as broken bones or permanent injuries, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver outside of Massachusetts’ no-fault system. In this scenario, you or your car accident lawyer in Lowell will have to prove the other driver was negligent – or careless – and this caused the collision. The car accident report can serve as evidence against the driver.
To obtain a copy of your car accident report for your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, contact the police department in the county where the crash occurred. In Lowell, this is the Middlesex Borough Police Department. Give your identifying information so they can locate the correct report. Request multiple copies and pay the required fees. Then, give a copy of the report to your insurance company and an attorney to start your car accident case.