After a vehicle accident in Andover, MA, you can request a copy of the official police report. This document contains important information your car accident attorney can use to support your claim against a driver who may be responsible for your injuries. When you hire a skilled Andover, MA, car accident lawyer, they will manage all aspects of your claim to build the strongest case possible.
What’s Included in an Official Car Accident Report
When you are involved in a car accident, the police will likely be called first. Once they arrive, they will look at the scene of the accident and begin filing their official report. The police report is just one piece of evidence that can help you secure compensation.
Not only does a crash report, or police report, count as evidence, but it also gives an official and educated opinion of who was at fault in a given accident. Your lawyer can use the information included in the report to support their claims of liability against the other party and downplay any part you played in the crash. A police report includes the following details:
- A diagram of what had occurred to cause an accident
- The contact information of the parties involved in the accident
- Vehicle information for both parties and the respective damages
- Witness statements and their contact information
- All notes about the road or weather, such as traffic signals and visibility
- The time and date the crash occurred
- The location where the accident occurred
- Any notes about drug or alcohol use while driving
- Detailed notes about all injuries sustained by both parties
The report is the officers’ educated opinion on how the crash occurred and who is at fault. Their statements will carry substantial weight in court if you decide to file a car accident claim. If you are assigned partial responsibility, your lawyer can be prepared to argue against this and protect your chance at compensation.
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How to Get a Copy of Your Massachusetts Crash Report
In Massachusetts, you are only allowed to request a police report if you were involved in a car accident. Fortunately, your lawyer can also obtain the document on your behalf. It’s important that you ensure you have an official copy of your report from approved sources. If your claim moves to a lawsuit, the court may not accept a document that was obtained from a third-party website.
If you have not hired an attorney and wish to get your own report, there are multiple ways to do so:
At the Local Police Department
By visiting the local police station in the jurisdiction where the accident happened, you can complete forms and pay the fee to request your report. Many police departments also have a website with a portal to order a report. The benefit is that you will receive a printed version of the document in your hand, which you can share with your lawyer if you decide to hire one later.
Through the Massachusetts State Police Website
If the local police department doesn’t have your report, you can check the state police’s website. First, you need to submit a request to see if your report is accessible in the office. You must provide some basic information and pay a small fee. You will be granted access to the full report, which you can download and print.
By Telephone
If you do not have online access, you can also telephone your local or state police department to request a copy of the report. Again, you will need to provide information to show you were involved in the crash. You may still be required to visit the station in person so they can verify your ID and other details before releasing the report.
How Using a Car Accident Report Can Benefit Your Case
When it’s unclear who is at fault in a car accident, using official police reports can help your attorney better understand what happened. In many cases, the report is accurate and can support your claim. In other situations, the police may have determined you were more to blame than you really were.
Knowing where each party stands in the eyes of the law can give your lawyer a valuable negotiating tool. For example, if the insurance company insists you were over 50% at fault because the police report said so, your attorney can investigate to find evidence that may show information the officers did not include or didn’t know. By thoroughly examining all the evidence, your legal team can ensure the real truth is presented during insurance negotiations and in court.
At DiBella Law, we can also work with accident reconstruction experts to produce a crash analysis. This information may show that the police report was flawed in some way. It could also support the officer’s statements if that is better for your case. Our attorneys will use all possible techniques to build the strongest case for you based on your unique circumstances.
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Let Our Team Help You with Your Car Accident Case in MA
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, it’s important that your attorney uses every available advantage when negotiating your insurance claim or filing a personal injury lawsuit. After experiencing losses and sustaining injuries, you deserve to receive the compensation you require to get your life back on track. Strengthening your claim starts with obtaining a copy of the accident report.
At DiBella Law, we are committed to evaluating your claim and answering your questions about how to proceed. It takes time and experience to prepare evidence for a successful case, and you only have three years to file a lawsuit under the Massachusetts statute of limitations. Don’t wait and risk missing out on your chance to secure compensation from those responsible for your injuries in a car accident. Contact us to schedule your free consultation today.
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