To get a police report for a car accident, start by contacting the law enforcement agency that investigated your crash. You may also need to determine whether the report is available through the Colorado DMV or directly from the investigating agency.
The report can help establish what happened and may contain information that matters to an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. If you are having trouble getting the report or do not know how it may affect your claim, an attorney can help you understand your options.
Since 1996, Heuser & Heuser, LLP, has been protecting the rights of injured accident victims in Colorado. Our car accident lawyers in Colorado Springs can discuss your situation and help you take the next step. Call today to schedule your free consultation.
What Information Do You Need to Request a Police Report for a Car Accident?
The more information you can provide, the easier it may be for the records office to locate the correct crash. Start with the date and location of the collision. If you received a case number from the responding officer, keep it available when you make the request.
Requests Through the Colorado State Patrol
For Colorado State Patrol (CSP) reports, the agency specifically identifies the driver’s name, crash date, case report number, and location as information needed to obtain a copy. Other law enforcement agencies may use different request procedures.
Requests Through the DMV
The Colorado Department of Revenue, which oversees the DMV, maintains crash records and provides a request process. You will typically need to complete the appropriate request form and pay the required fee. Because records can take time to reach the DMV, contacting the investigating agency directly may be faster right after a crash.
Requests Through a Local Agency
In some cases, you can get a report from a local police department if they investigate your accident. Have the crash date, location, and names of those involved ready when you contact them.
For a free legal consultation, call (719) 520-9909How Can You Request a Colorado State Patrol Crash Report?
The CSP allows people to request a basic crash report through its Central Records Unit. A request should include information such as the driver’s name, crash date, case report number, and accident location.
Do not expect to receive the report immediately after the collision. A completed crash investigation can take up to 10 working days to move from submission to approval. The agency then processes the report request after it receives the request and payment.
A basic crash report is not necessarily the entire investigative file. The CSP distinguishes the basic report from a complete case file. Heuser & Heuser, LLP, can help you determine what records may matter to your claim and how to get a police report after a car accident.
How Can You Get a Crash Record Through the Colorado DMV?
The DMV maintains crash information and provides a process for obtaining crash records. For a crash report maintained by the DMV, the agency states that you must complete the appropriate request form and pay the required fee.
The Colorado DMV advises allowing up to 90 days for a crash report to reach the agency and be entered into its driver’s license system. The department maintains crash information for seven years. That means the DMV may not be the fastest source immediately after a collision.
If a law enforcement officer investigated your crash, contacting that agency may make more sense while the report is being processed. Heuser & Heuser, LLP, can help you determine where to look for the record you need.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers todayCan You Get a Report from a Local Police Agency?
You may be able to request a police report from a local agency in Colorado, but the availability, cost, and process vary significantly based on the specific agency handling your case. Check the department’s website or contact the records office for directions.
Be ready to provide basic information that can help staff locate the correct report. If you have difficulty obtaining the report or are unsure which records matter to your injury claim, Heuser & Heuser, LLP, can help you understand how to get a police report after a car accident.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form nowWhat Does a Police Accident Report Contain?
A police accident report can give you an official account of what the responding officer learned during the crash investigation. The information included can vary depending on the agency and the type of report prepared.
- The police report may document when and where the collision occurred and provide basic details about the vehicles involved.
- The report can summarize observations and information collected during the investigation.
- Your report may provide information that helps explain how the officer understood the crash to have occurred.
- Depending on the report and applicable privacy rules, it may contain identifying information concerning drivers and other individuals.
Other records may exist separately. Our team at Heuser & Heuser, LLP, can help you understand what the available records may mean for your case and take steps to access the information you need.
Get Help After a Car Accident
To get a police report after a car crash, follow the process outlined by the agency that investigated your accident. Have important information handy so the process goes smoothly. Even so, obtaining the report can be frustrating when you are injured.
If you need to hire a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer, our legal team is here to help.
Heuser & Heuser, LLP, may be able to identify the appropriate records source and explain how the available report fits into your injury claim. Call today for a free consultation to discuss your situation and learn about your legal options.
Call or text (719) 520-9909 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form