If you have been involved in an accident and the police conduct an investigation, you will want to obtain a copy of the police report. This report can help to identify critical evidence that will bolster your claim, and it can make investigating and proving your car accident case easier.
Monge & Associates can help you to get a copy of your police report. In fact, we can guide you through the entire legal process of managing your claim and putting together a solid case. Our goal is to help you obtain compensation, and we’ll put our 30+ years of experience to work building your claim while you focus on recovery.
You should give us a call or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation with a Richmond car accident lawyer to find out how we can help. If you want to learn more about the process of getting a police report, you can also read on to find out the details.
1. Identify Who To Request A Police Report From
If you need to obtain a police report in the aftermath of your accident, you should start by identifying which law enforcement officials are likely to have made the report.
- If your accident happened within the Richmond city limits, then you will most likely request your police report from the Richmond Police Department.
- If your accident occurred on a state highway, then you will obtain your report from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV also indicates it retains all crash reports, so you may be able to request records from an accident in the city as well.
Review where your crash occurred so you can decide which agency you need to contact.
2. Gather The Required Information
You will need to provide certain details about the incident in order to be able to obtain a copy of the police report. Some of the information that you should try to have available, if possible, includes:
- The date of the incident: This is when your accident happened.
- The location of the accident: Determine the address or intersection where your accident occurred.
- The names of all of the parties involved in the accident: You should ideally have exchanged contact information with the other driver at the crash scene and should have these details available to you when you make your request.
If you are missing this information, Monge & Associates can help you try to obtain the necessary details. You may also be able to request help from the police department that you believe has the report on file.
3. Submit Your Request For The Report And Pay The Necessary Fees
The next step is to follow the process set forth by either the Richmond Police Department or the Department of Motor Vehicles.
For RPD, you can visit police headquarters or make your request by mail, while for the DMV, you will need to submit a written request. If you choose, you can use a designated form (Form CRD 93). You can make an appointment to visit the DMV and hand in your report in person, or you can submit the request by mail or via fax to 804-367-0390.
However, you must be an eligible requester to obtain a copy of the report from the DMV. Eligible requesters include drivers involved in the crash, those who suffered property damage, insurers, and attorneys.
There are fees associated with obtaining the reports. For the Richmond Police Department, you can expect to pay a $5 fee. If you want to obtain a copy of the police crash report from the DMV, you will pay an $8 fee per requested report.
4. Wait For The Report To Be Processed
The specific timeline for obtaining your report can vary depending on which agency you made the request to, and whether the accident is still under investigation or whether the report is complete. The DMV has also indicated that reports will be sent to you via postal mail.
This waiting period can be frustrating, but if you have a Richmond personal injury attorney representing you, your lawyer will help. Monge & Associates will keep track of outstanding documents, including police reports, and will keep you informed as we monitor the evidence collection process to ensure that we are building the strongest case we can.
5. Review The Report For Mistakes
Once you have obtained a police report, it is important to carefully review it to determine if there are any potential errors. Confirming that all of the key details are correct can help ensure you’re able to successfully use information from this report to bolster your accident claim.
Specifically, you should check whether your name and contact information, the names of the other drivers, a description of the incident, and details about the vehicles are accurate. If you identify any mistakes or issues, you can contact the police or can reach out to Monge & Associates and we can help you to get any necessary modifications or updates made.
Monge & Associates will also review the report carefully to determine how it can be used to support your case strategy and what, if any, other documents we may wish to obtain such as toxicology reports or cell phone records from the other driver involved in the collision.
An Attorney Can Help You Throughout This Process
Navigating the post-crash process can be very difficult, as there is a lot of administrative work to be done, like obtaining police reports, interviewing witnesses, and gathering security camera footage that may show the accident. Time is of the essence, and it’s important to have a knowledgeable advocate on your side to handle these tasks for you as you focus on recovery.
Monge & Associates will work from day one to build your case. We understand the evidence you need to file a successful car accident lawsuit, and as skilled negotiators and experienced trial attorneys, we are ready to build the strongest case possible to secure the compensation you need to move forward.
Contact A Richmond Car Accident Lawyer Today
Monge & Associates can help you fight for payment of medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. We don’t charge legal fees unless we win, and we have recovered billions for clients so we’ve demonstrated we know how to build strong claims.
Just give us a call or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how a Richmond car accident lawyer can help you as you navigate your accident claim.