How to Obtain a Police Report After a Car Accident

Car accidents are events that often happen suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving many people unsure about the next steps. One of the first steps you can take after an accident is obtaining a police report, which is necessary for filing an insurance claim. This report serves as proof of the accident, including details about injuries and property damage.

What is a police report?

A police report is a public record or document filed by the officer who responded to your car crash. It provides essential details about the crash, such as who was involved, the extent of vehicle damage, any injuries, and the accident location.  Although the report may not assign fault, it can be used by your attorney to support your case or clarify your involvement. It serves as a key piece of evidence in disputes or questions about the accident.

Facts and details included in a San Antonio police accident report

There are a lot of very important facts and details included in a San Antonio police accident report. Some of the most common facts and details found in this type of report are:

• The date and time of the crash.
• The location of the crash.
• All driver’s and passenger’s names, phone numbers, and addresses.
• Driver’s license numbers.
• Eyewitness names and contact information.
• Vehicle plate numbers.
• Car insurance policy information for all drivers and passengers.
• Statements from drivers, passengers, and eyewitnesses.
• Observations and opinions of the responding police officer about what happened.
• Road conditions and weather events that were occurring at the time of the accident.
• A drawing or diagram of the crash scene from the perspective of the responding police officer.

Why is a police report essential to my car accident case?

Obtaining a police report is vital after any car accident because it provides an unbiased account of the incident. Although the officer may include personal observations, these are generally based on their understanding of traffic laws and regulations. In case of conflicting accounts or disputes, the police report offers a factual record that can support a fair outcome in your case.

What if I did not call the police after my accident?

It’s generally advisable to call the police after an accident to ensure all details are documented. However, individuals who are involved in minor accidents, such as fender-bender crashes, may choose to continue with their day without calling law enforcement and reporting the crash. In Texas, you are required to report any accidents that result in serious injuries, fatalities, or property damage that exceeds $1,000 in costs.

If you did not initially report your accident to the police, Texas gives you a ten-day window to do so. Therefore, if a week has passed since your crash and you learn from your mechanic that the vehicle repairs are going to cost you $2,500, you still have time to report your accident to the police. However, the sooner that you can file this report, the better chance you will have at proving your claim and securing compensation for your damages. The reason for this is that certain forms of evidence, such as road markings and debris, can start to disappear each day that you delay calling the police and reporting the accident.

How to obtain a police report after a car accident

If you are involved in a car accident in San Antonio, you have a few different ways of obtaining a police report, which include:

• Online: Visit San Antonio’s open government portal, create an account, and choose to receive your report via email, mail, or in person. A $40 fee is required. Alternatively, you can obtain a police report online through the TxDot website.
• Mail: If you want to obtain a police report by mail, you can complete this form and send it to the San Antonio Police Department Records Office at 315 South Santa Rosa, San Antonio, TX 78207. Include a $40 fee by check or money order.
• In person: To obtain the police report in person, you can fill out and bring the completed form to the San Antonio Police Department Records Office, which is at 315 South Santa Rosa, San Antonio, Texas. You can pay the $40 fee with cash, credit card, money order, or a check.

How are police reports beneficial to insurance companies?

Police reports are beneficial to insurance companies in various ways, such as:

• Helping them verify that the facts and details of the accident are accurate and correct.
• Determining who is at fault and should be held legally responsible for the accident.
• Helping them understand what happened, the crash scene, who was involved, the damage that the vehicles sustained, and the injuries caused.

Were you recently involved in a car accident in San Antonio? If so, the legal team at Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney can help. When you work with us, we will help you obtain a police accident report as quickly as possible. Our experienced and skilled attorney knows and understands the difficulties and hardships accident victims face, which is why he is dedicated to taking some of the burden off your shoulders and helping you potentially obtain a fair recovery right away. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free case review at our office today.