Immediately after a car accident in Bucks County, you might not think to call the police. However, doing so will create a police report that can be helpful to your attorney if you decide to sue a negligent driver. But how can you get a police report for a car accident in Bucks County?
After a car accident in Pennsylvania, it’s important to get access to a police report. Either the Pennsylvania State Police will arrive at the scene, or local law enforcement, depending on the location of the accident. The agency you must contact for a copy of your report is based on which officers completed it. Your attorney can help you locate a copy of a police report in Pennsylvania if you are having difficulty. Obtaining a copy of this report is important to support your claim if you choose to sue a negligent driver for compensation.
The Bucks County car accident attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm are dedicated to supporting victims’ rights. Our lawyers can help you obtain a copy of a police report and get the compensation you deserve after a car accident. Call the Pennsylvania car accident attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 for a free case evaluation or visit us online today.
How Can I Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Bucks County?
Calling the police to the scene of a car accident in Pennsylvania is very important. Not only can police officers restrict the area and see that all injured persons receive medical attention, but they can also complete a police report for a car accident. This report can be very helpful to an attorney should you decide to sue a negligent party after a car accident in Pennsylvania. Gaining access to a police report depends on the agency that responded to your call.
State Police
Officers from the Pennsylvania State Police Department may respond to the scene of a car accident in a few scenarios. For example, if the accident you were injured in happened on I-76, or another highway in Pennsylvania, state police officers may arrive. Should that happen, you will have to request a digital copy of an accident report from the Pennsylvania State Police Department’s website. When requesting your report, it’s helpful to have access to the information given to you by police officers at the scene. If you don’t, you can input your name and the accident date to find a copy of your report. Sometimes, it can be hard for victims to locate police reports for a car accident by themselves. In that case, a helpful lawyer, like the Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm, can do so for you.
Victims can also request a police report for a car accident in Pennsylvania by mail. An accident report can take over two weeks to be added to the system, so you might not receive a copy right away. Victims, or their attorneys, must complete the proper forms and mail them to the Crash Reports Unit of the Pennsylvania State Police. Keep in mind that the fee for requesting a copy of a report from the Pennsylvania State Police is $22.
Local Jurisdictions
Depending on where a car accident happened in Pennsylvania, you might have to visit the local police department to request a copy of a crash report. From city to city and township to township, the rules and fees may vary. Because of this, it’s helpful to have a lawyer who is familiar with processes throughout the state, like the Pennsylvania car accident attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm.
It’s important to know what jurisdiction the police officers are from when they complete a crash report. Otherwise, it can be difficult to track down the location of your report. That’s why consulting with an experienced Pennsylvania attorney immediately after a car accident is important. At first, you might not know which police officers responded to the scene of an accident. Especially if you were injured, the initial shock and pain might be overwhelming. Enlisting the help of a skilled attorney can help you locate and obtain a copy of a police report after a car accident in Pennsylvania.
Why Should I Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Bucks County?
Police reports are important for several reasons. First, notifying the police of a car accident where people were injured is crucial. Officers can protect the area and reroute traffic to prevent further collisions. Secondly, law enforcement officers can note important information that might help your attorney get you the compensation you deserve if you intend to sue a responsible driver.
Immediately after an accident, victims might need medical care. Speaking with other parties involved isn’t an option, nor is it recommended. Calling the police to the scene allows victims to access the medical care they need, without having to get the responsible driver’s information. The police officers called to the scene can handle that.
In an accident report, Pennsylvania police officers will record all pertinent information. Officers may note the condition of the road or the time of day. Perhaps the weather influenced a responsible driver’s actions. Suppose there was improper signage that caused a crash. Or, maybe, accounts of a driver’s negligence will be noted by eyewitnesses. Regardless of what happened, police officers in Pennsylvania will record it in a crash report. This report will also include the responsible driver’s information and all parties’ accounts of what happened. Police officers at the scene may also note their opinions on the cause of the accident.
But why is it important to obtain a copy of a police report for a car accident in Pennsylvania? This report, although not considered evidence, can support your claim for compensation against a negligent driver. The information in a police report can help a skilled attorney, like the Philadelphia car accident attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm, recover damages. Even little details in a police report can be beneficial to your attorney.
Obtaining a copy of a police report for a car accident in Pennsylvania is important for victims seeking compensation for their injuries. It’s important to contact police immediately after a car accident so that a report is completed, especially if you intend to sue a negligent driver for damages.
Our Attorneys Can Help You Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Bucks County
When you need help obtaining a police report for a car accident in Pennsylvania, our lawyers can help. For a free evaluation of your case, call the West Chester car accident attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 or visit our website today.
