How to Obtain Your Accident Report After a Truck Crash
There are many steps you should take after any truck accident. One of these is to contact law enforcement. After contacting law enforcement, they will visit the accident scene, question all parties involved, and write and file an accident report. This report is a very important piece of evidence in any traffic accident. It can outline how the crash occurred and even indicate fault.
While you are recovering from the serious injuries caused by a truck accident, though, obtaining your accident report can present many challenges. Below, our San Antonio truck accident attorney outlines how to locate the report.
Why is the Police Report So Important After a Truck Crash?
The police report filed by law enforcement is a crucial document. It can help your case in the following ways:
- Law enforcement will conduct an investigation while on site to determine how the accident occurred.
- Law enforcement may issue the truck driver a citation, which can help establish the truck driver’s negligence.
- The police report will include the name and contact information of the negligent truck driver and the trucking company that employs them.
- The accident report may include the names and contact information of witnesses who saw the crash, which can strengthen your personal injury claim.
- Law enforcement officers often take pictures of the accident scene, and these are often attached to the report.
- Many law enforcement vehicles have a dash cam installed in them. Additionally, law enforcement officers often wear body cams on their uniforms. While the footage from these cameras is not always included with the report, it may indicate that they exist.
How to Locate Your Accident Report
When obtaining a copy of your accident report, it is important to obtain a ‘certified’ copy. You can request a copy of the report on the Crash Records Information System’s website. At the scene of the crash, a law enforcement officer may provide an indication about how long it will take for the copy of the accident report to be prepared and provide a case number so it is easier to find after a crash.
If you contact the county or city police directly, the accident report may be available even sooner. Make sure you have the driver’s name and date of the crash, as well as the case number if it was provided to you. Also be ready to write down any information that is provided to you when contacting the county or city.
Our Truck Accident Attorney in San Antonio Can Obtain Your Report
There are multiple ways you can obtain your accident report after a truck crash. However, while you are trying to recover from the serious injuries these accidents cause is not the time to do it. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our San Antonio truck accident attorney can take the necessary steps to obtain your report and prove your case. Call us now at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to get the legal help you need.
Sources:
cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Purchase/app/home
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.066.html
