In the aftermath of a car accident, your first priority is to seek medical treatment for any injuries you have suffered. Once you have been treated, it is important to start gathering all of the necessary information that you will need to take legal action against the person responsible for the crash.

One of the items you will need to have in your possession is a copy of the police report, detailing the cause of the crash according to the law enforcement officers on the scene, as well as important information about the other drivers and vehicles involved. This includes names, driver’s license numbers, insurance information, contact information and more.

If you are planning to pursue a personal injury claim against the driver who caused the accident, it is important to obtain a copy of the police report. Having a copy of the police report could strengthen your case and is a vital piece of evidence to have for your claim.

However, it is important to remember that the police do not have final say on liability for a car accident. That is a matter for the civil system.

If you have been hurt in a car accident in Baton Rouge, it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side to examine the police report, gather other evidence and help you with the claims process. There is a reason why so many people in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana have turned to Babcock Injury Lawyers to handle their car accident cases.

Find out why we are the right choice for you by calling us or contacting us online today for an experienced accident injury lawyer in Baton Rouge.

Obtaining a Police Report in Louisiana

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, we recommend that you obtain a copy of the accident report as soon as possible (if you haven’t already done so).

Although you will likely have to purchase a copy of the police report, it can be a vital piece of evidence, especially if you are trying to secure compensation from the responsible party. The cost to obtain a police report is often $10 for the first page, and $1 for every page after that, according to the Baton Rouge police department’s website.

There are a few ways to obtain a copy of the police report in Louisiana including the following:

  • Louisiana State Police Statewide Crash Report – This is a website that allows you to essentially skip the line and get a copy of your accident report online. You can view it immediately. You must enter the driver’s full name, the parish in which the crash occurred, and the date of the accident. Once you have found your report, you will be able to view a limited preview and you can then purchase your report to view the entire document.
  • Obtain a copy from the agency or officer – Contact the law enforcement agency, municipal police department, or if the officer left a business card, the police officer who handled the accident. They will be able to direct you to who has your car accident report. You will most likely be required to submit a record request form either in person or online and then pay a fee. You will be able to receive the report by mail or email.

Why It’s Important to Obtain and Keep the Accident Report

Obtaining a copy of an accident report can be critical for ensuring that you have the official documentation and information you need for insurance purposes, defense against false claims against you, and the pursuit of compensation if the accident was caused by the reckless actions of another person.

If you decide to pursue legal action against the negligent driver who was responsible for the accident, an accident report may be helpful to help prove your claim. A police report documents details from the scene of the accident including names of the drivers, the events leading up to the accident, and what caused the accident in the opinion of law enforcement. Again, it’s important to keep in mind that the investigating officer does not have final say on fault for civil compensation purposes, but the investigation can provide useful information.

The information in these reports can be critical to proving your case in court or to an insurance company. A police report is a legal document authorized by the officer proceeding over your accident, and they are legally required to document everything truthfully. The accident report can reduce the likelihood of a “he said, she said” situation and provides detailed information about the accident. If another negligent party caused the collision, then this document could support your claim in court for compensation for damages or injuries suffered.

Contact a Baton Rouge car wreck lawyer and we will make sure that you have all the necessary paperwork on hand to present a strong case. Our experienced lawyers have been dealing with car accident cases just like yours for years, and we are dedicated to helping our clients get the compensation they deserve.

How Babcock Injury Lawyers Can Help Victims of Louisiana Car Crashes

We understand that a car accident can be a traumatic experience, and we are here to help. Our highly experienced trial lawyers have an impressive record of success in the courtroom, and we offer our clients a 100% client satisfaction guarantee. We stand up for innocent victims just like you in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana. Our services cost you nothing unless we recover on your behalf.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident, contact us today to get started on your case. You can reach us by phone, by filling out our quick contact form on our website, or you can chat with us live. At Babcock Injury Lawyers, your consultation is free, and there is never a fee unless we recover a monetary award for you. If you aren’t 100% satisfied, you can terminate us within 30 days and you’ll owe us nothing at all.

We’re here to fight for you. Get Even, Call Stephen.