How to read a police report car accident?
If you’ve been involved in an accident that was investigated by the police, you’ll need to learn how to read police report in car accident in order to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains records of accidents that occurred on a state highway. DPS officers have up to 14 days to complete and submit their reports to the Department Records Sections. Thus, people who were involved in accidents are asked to wait two weeks to check on whether a police report car accident is available. The number to call is 602-223-2230 or 2236.
The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you have significant experience in helping clients understand police report car accident. Our offices are conveniently located in nearby Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person at our nearby offices, over the phone, or video call. You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.
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How to Get a Police Report Car Accident?
If you’ve been in an accident and have a personal injury attorney, they can take care of getting the police report car accident for you. However, if you are not being represented by an attorney, there are several steps you have to follow in order to get a copy of the police report on your own.
DPS accident reports may be requested using this form, and the form should be sent to the address here. Copies of police report car accident by mail must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope and the appropriate fee. The fee is $9 for the first nine pages and $1 for each additional page; so, you’ll need to call first to find out how many pages are in your report. Photographic contact sheets are $10 and individual photos (either 8×10 or 4×6) are $4 each. CDs are $35 each, if available.
Note that no cash or personal checks are accepted by mail. Only business checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders may be sent. Checks and money orders should be made out to Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Police report car accident may also be requested in person at the DPS office at 2102 West Encanto Boulevard, Phoenix. The office is open from 8 to 5 Monday through Friday and closed on state holidays. Cash, business checks, and money orders (but not credit or debit cards) are accepted for in-person requests.
If an accident occurred on a city or county road, the law enforcement agency that investigated the accident will have the report.
In Chandler, you can request a police report using this form. The cost is $5 plus 15 cents per page for each page over 35. However, there is no charge for people listed as victims. Payment may be made by cash, check, or money order. The normal processing time is 7 to 10 business days.
You can also see a Chandler accident report online at this site. You’ll need to know the date of the accident AND the report number in order to view the report.
How to Read a Police Report?
Here are some things to look for when you’re reading a police report:
- Start by reading the narrative section of the report. This will tell the “story” of the accident in chronological order, and will include statements made by witnesses. The narrative will give you an overview of the accident (as seen by the police) and help you understand other parts of the report.
- At the end of the narrative the officer’s name, badge number, and department should be listed, along with the date of the report. If you believe that the report contains errors, start by contacting the officer who wrote the report to request corrections.
- At the end of the report there may be an addendum, which is a continuation of the narrative. This is where the police add information discovered after the original narrative section was completed.
- The cover page of the report will include the names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth of the parties involved in the accident. The cover page will also include the date, time, and location of the accident. Insurance information should also be listed here.
- The section after the cover page will list details about the accident like points of impact, tire impressions, and estimated speeds of the vehicle(s) involved.
Although you can get a police report yourself, your personal injury attorney can do this for you. Your attorney can also request corrections to any errors in the report.
Get Help Now to Understand Your Police Report Car Accident
At Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you, we have more than 15 years of experience helping clients obtain compensation for their personal injuries from car accidents and understand police report car accident in Phoenix area. When you’re ready to talk, please contact our office to arrange a free initial consultation by phone or at our Chandler office, conveniently located near you.
If you have been in an auto accident and want to get a police report car accident, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We provide personal injury legal services, including helping get a police report, to clients in your area including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Peoria.
