Anyone involved in a car wreck not just wants a crash report, they need it for handling insurance and making negligence claims. The car accident attorneys at Goodin Abernathy LLP can make it simple and order the report for you. We have an account online that allows us to access BuyCrash.com and using your car accident details, search for the report. So the easiest way is to call us at (317)843-2606 and ask for help pulling the report.
If you prefer to handle collecting the report yourself, here is basic information to help step through the process. Then, if after you handle things and decide you would like legal help, call us for a free consultation. Our attorneys are happy to evaluate your case and explain your legal options.
What is a Car Accident Report?
In Indiana, a car accident report is known as the Indiana Officer’s Standard Crash Report. Police officers collect basic information at the crash site and populate a standard report that is later published on the internet under the BuyCrash.com website.
Though this investigation typically is not an expert analysis, it details the reports about events leading up to and afterward the wreck. A car accident report is usually available between two and five days after the car accident.
Every law enforcement agency is different but generally, a car accident crash report will include:
- Details for every person involved in the car accident. Names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, driver’s license numbers, and car insurance information.
- Information about the injuries suffered by people involved in the accident.
- Where the accident happened, which way the vehicles were going, where they hit each other, where they ended up after the collision, if there was any debris from the accident, and if there were any stop signs or traffic signals nearby. This information is often shown on a diagram or accompanied by a diagram.
- Time of the accident
- Weather conditions, potential traffic hazards, and road conditions.
- The statements of people involved in the accident, and any witnesses who saw what happened.
- The responding officer’s findings and impressions based on the investigation at the scene of the accident.
One of the most important reasons Indiana state police officers keep detailed accounts of car accidents is so they can use them as evidence in any future investigations.
How Do You Obtain a Copy of Your Indiana Car Accident Police Report?
You Can Obtain an Online Copy of Your Car Accident Police Report
In order to find a car accident report, you must purchase one for $12. This can be done at BuyCrash.com In order to find your accident report, you must know the following information:
- State and Jurisdiction of where the accident took place
- Along with one of the following pieces of information
- Accident Report Number
- Last Name and Date of Incident
- Last Name and Street
You Can Obtain a Physical Copy of Your Accident Police Report
Contact your local Indiana county law enforcement as each department typically has a division or office that manages these records. You can also contact the Indiana State Police through their website: https://www.in.gov/isp/crash-reports/
If the collision occurred in Marion County Indiana, you may visit the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to obtain a copy of your accident report.
- 50 N. Alabama St., E100 Indianapolis, IN 46204
- Phone number: 317-327-3811
- You will need to provide the date, time, accident location, and if you remember, the investigating officer’s name.
How Can a Car Accident Police Report Help Your Personal Injury Claim?
A car accident police report can very likely be helpful in a case. The details given on an accident police report may help in determining who was at fault in a given accident. Some of these details include:
- How the accident occurred.
- Description of the damages associated with the crash.
- Any tickets that were issued to drivers involved.
- Time of the accident
For example, if someone is ticketed for texting and driving, you may be able to prove that the injuries and damages you received were due to the other driver’s negligence.
Accident reports are important if you are dealing with insurance adjusters and trying to negotiate a settlement. Remember, the insurance adjusters are trained and experienced in defending your damage claims.
It is best to have as much crash information at your disposal as possible before agreeing to settle with the insurance adjuster.
Remember, the Goodin Abernathy attorneys are experienced in negotiating personal injury and car accident cases. Contact our office today for a free consultation. We enjoy representing clients and treat them like individuals – not just file numbers like other “big box” injury law firms do.