If you have been in a New Jersey car accident, police were likely called to the scene. When police or state troopers arrive on the scene, they may write a police or accident report, also known as a crash report. This report may contain vital information for your case.
Should you choose to pursue a lawsuit, having an experienced New Jersey car accident lawyer can make or break your case. Requesting a police report can be a valuable step when deciding whether or not to pursue legal action. At Spear Greenfield, we want you to have the information you need to make an educated decision.
Value of Requesting a New Jersey Police Report
New Jersey is a no-fault insurance state, meaning the insurance company for each driver covers their own damages. However, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent or at-fault party if you are not the person at fault. This is where the information in a crash report may be helpful:
- Responding officerpe
- Date and time of the accident
- Number of people injured or killed
- Location of accident
- Driver information
- Vehicle location and orientation
- Locations of injury on victims
- Offier’s narrative of what happened
- Weather and road conditions
- Airbag deployment status
If you are pursuing legal action in your car accident, the police report can provide crucial details to support your claim and establish the other person’s fault. The narrative of the officer may work to corroborate your explanation of events. Further, the documentation of damage to vehicles and injuries on the involved parties may further support your claims for damages.
Why Is a Police Report Filed
A police report or accident report is made for several reasons. One of the most pressing reasons is because, in many states, including New Jersey, it’s the law. According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, an accident must be reported if it:
- Causes property damage in excess of $500
- Causes injury to a person
- Causes death to a person
In addition to legal requirements, it is a way to keep records in case of a civil lawsuit or criminal case if criminal charges are filed. Additionally, it provides accountability for responding officers and their time.
Requesting Your New Jersey Crash Report
If you need to retrieve your crash report from your New Jersey car accident, there are several ways you can do it once you determine the appropriate authority from which to request. This will vary depending on where the accident occurred and whether or not it caused a fatality. All reports will require some basic information, so you should have the following readily available to make the requests:
- Case number
- Accident Date
- Driver’s license number
- Location of accident
Fatalities
If you are requesting a report from a fatal accident, you will complete an OPRA form online. You will need to provide basic contact information and details on your request, which will typically be the case number and crash date. At the bottom of the form, you will be able to choose whether you want your report sent to you via mail, e-mail, fax, or picked up in person.
If you need the crash report as evidence in a court case, you may need the investigation report and photographs, which would be done in a separate request and fee per photo. This crash report request will require the case number, crash date, and docket number in addition to documentation showing the court order or subpoena for the records.
Non-Fatal Accidents
If you request an accident report for a case that did not cause a fatality, you can do so online. The crash report is made through Lexis Nexis and has a $17 fee. These reports are typically available within 14 days of the accident, though that time can vary depending on the officer and administrative caseload.
If local police responded to your crash, you can obtain a report at your local police station. You can call your local precinct to get more information on how to obtain a report. If your accident occurred in the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Police Department, you can address your request to the Turnpike Authority Operations Department.
Addressing Errors on Your Police Report
The responding officer completes police reports. While we like to believe that each officer does their best to ensure quality and accurate reports, they are human and occasionally make errors. Sometimes, these are objective, like an incorrect spelling of your name, and therefore easy to address, and other times, they may be more subjective and, therefore more difficult to prove.
If you find an error on your report, your first step will be to contact the officer who responded to see if they will correct it. Their contact information is on the card provided to you at the accident scene and on the report. If they cannot assist, you may be able to escalate to their supervisor.
If you find that the supervisor is unable or unwilling to assist, you may decide to escalate the situation and file a complaint. This can be done by the New Jersey Department of Law and Public S. If you have already secured an attorney to help with your case, they may also be able to assist with this.
Utilizing Your Police Report
Obtaining a copy of your police report for your records can be helpful in case you need it later, but most people who request it are doing so for a legal or civil court matter. The report can be useful but does not necessarily act as the authority on who is responsible or what kind of damages might be owed. With that information in mind, the report is important but should be used in conjunction with other documentation to support your case.
If you are unsure how to proceed with requesting your police report or acquiring any other needed information, you may benefit from a free consultation with Spear Greenfield. When in doubt, demand Rand. In your consultation, you can discuss the details of your situation, and we can provide some of your legal options to help you get the most out of your police report.
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