- Am I Required To Report Car Accidents in Pennsylvania?
- Police Reports vs. Accident Reports
- How Do I Request a Copy of the Police Report for My Car Accident?
- Who Can Request a Copy of the Police Report for My Car Accident?
- What if I Find a Mistake in the Report?
- Why Is It So Important to Keep a Copy of the Police Report?
- How Long Does It Take To Get a Police Report After an Accident?
- What Do I Do With the Police Report Once I Have It?
When an auto accident occurs in Pennsylvania, accident victims usually call the police to the scene. The police will assist with emergency needs, investigate the crash, issue citations for any violations, and fill out a report of the incident. It is important to request a copy of the police report and ensure its accuracy because you will need it if you file an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Am I Required To Report Car Accidents in Pennsylvania?
Yes, in most cases, you are required to report crashes that occurred in Pennsylvania. Specifically, you are legally required to report the crash if it involved injuries, death, or major property damage.
After 9-1-1 receives a call and notifies dispatch about the accident, the appropriate police agency must investigate it if the above qualifications apply. The agency then must fill out a specific six-page form and submit it to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, or PennDOT, within 15 days.
If, for some reason, you or the other driver did not call the police to the scene to investigate, by law, you must report it to PennDOT within five days. Failure to do so could result in driver’s license suspension.
Police Reports vs. Accident Reports
Reports associated with car crashes are a type of “police report.” Under Pennsylvania law, police file a report for any incident they respond to, such as an accident, crime, or other call involving public safety. When police respond to a motor vehicle accident, they file an accident report, officially called a Police Crash Report in Pennsylvania.
If the police do not respond to the accident, you might be required to file a written report with PennDOT within five days of the accident. The law requires you to file such a report if the accident has resulted in injury or death to any person or an involved vehicle has sustained such damage that it cannot be driven away under its own power without further damage or hazard.
How Do I Request a Copy of the Police Report for My Car Accident?
You can request a copy of the report from the Pennsylvania State Police. You must wait at least 15 days from the crash date to request the report. You can submit a request for your report either online or by mail.
Requesting a Crash Report Online
To request a crash report online, complete the following steps:
- Visit the Pennsylvania State Police Department’s Online Crash Report Requests website.
- Search for your report using your name and the date of the accident.
- Fill out and submit the online Application To Obtain Copy of Police Report form.
- Wait to receive an additional email informing you whether your application has been approved or denied. If it has been approved, pay the $22 report access fee.
Requesting a Crash Report by Mail
- Visit the Pennsylvania State Police Department website.
- Download and print a copy of Form SP 7-0015, Application to Obtain a Copy of a Police Report.
- Fill out the one-page application, which asks for basic info about you, the crash, and why you are requesting the report.
- Send the application and the $22 processing fee to the Pennsylvania State Police, Attn: Crash Reports Unit, 1800 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA, 17110.
In some districts, you may be able to request a copy of your report in person at your local police department. You may want to call the appropriate station to inquire about its policies and fees for obtaining copies of crash reports. The personal injury attorneys at Cordisco & Saile LLC can obtain copies of police crash reports for you.
If you were injured in an automobile accident in Pennsylvania, we may be able to help you receive your accident report free of charge. If your accident results in a retained case with our law firm, we’ll locate and send you the accident report directly, at no cost to you. We just need some information on your accident below to get started.
"*" indicates required fields
Who Can Request a Copy of the Police Report for My Car Accident?
Not just anyone can request a copy of an accident report. Under Section 3751(b) of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, police reports may only be issued to individuals involved in the accident, their legal representatives, insurance companies, and other government agencies. This means that you, your lawyer, and your insurer have the legal right to access your police report after submitting a request.
What if I Find a Mistake in the Report?
Police reports are kept on file and can be viewed by certain persons and agencies, including your insurance company, the federal government, the military, and the involved parties’ attorneys. The report’s content can harm your claim and right to compensation, particularly if the records are inaccurate.
Police officers investigating Pennsylvania auto accidents generally do their best to create fair and accurate reports. However, the reality is that accident reports sometimes contain mistakes and oversights. If you notice an inaccuracy in your report that may affect your case, you need to take steps to correct it.
One way to do this is to call the officer directly to discuss that matter. Reports mention the officers’ names, and you can call them directly at their stations. However, we recommend you don’t attempt this method. Police officers are often so burdened with their duties that they cannot respond to requests to correct accident reports. An investigating police officer might also get annoyed at your requests, which could further harm your case.
A better option for correcting mistakes on police reports is to have an experienced and skilled attorney handle the request. An accident attorney will know how to communicate tactfully with the police officer and resolve the matter efficiently while protecting your rights and interests.
Why Is It So Important to Keep a Copy of the Police Report?
A police report contains a lot of information that is instrumental when filing an injury claim or lawsuit. The report will include key details about the incident, such as the following:
- Each party’s contact and vehicle info
- Statements from each party
- Eyewitness information
- Any issued citations
- The officer’s play-by-play of the accident, formulated after the investigation
Insurance companies use police reports to help them decide whether to accept or deny claims. Pennsylvania is a no-fault accident state, meaning each driver’s own mandatory personal injury protection insurance covers their accident-related medical costs and certain other economic damages up to the policy limit. However, the at-fault party’s insurance company could be responsible for covering any damages that exceed that coverage. If you have full tort insurance, you might be eligible to file a claim against an at-fault driver for the full extent of your remaining losses. Alternatively, if you have limited tort coverage but your injuries were serious, you can pursue all your remaining damages. The contents of a police report could lead to evidence that establishes the other party’s fault.
For example, if officers issued the other driver a citation for speeding, noted on the report, this alone could help demonstrate negligence and liability. The report might also include a witness’s statement that he observed the vehicle going at a high rate of speed. The citation and the witness’s testimony will provide strong evidence to bolster your case.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Police Report After an Accident?
It takes time for officers to complete and file police reports. Typically, the police report for your accident is available within 15 days of the date the accident occurred. It will also take a few days for your request to be processed. Including processing time, you typically have a copy of your report within roughly three weeks of the accident.
What Do I Do With the Police Report Once I Have It?
The insurance company will likely request a copy of the report, and you can share it with them if you so choose. Also, keep a copy of the report at home until your case has been completely resolved.
Consult an accident attorney as soon as possible to review your rights and legal options. A knowledgeable and skilled car accident attorney can maximize your chances of success and exhaust all your potential paths for compensation. Share a copy of the report with your lawyer, who can address any inaccuracies and use the report to build your case.
Cordisco & Saile LLC is the firm for you if you need a car accident attorney in Pennsylvania. We obtain copies of police reports for our clients and analyze their legal options to fight for fair compensation after an accident.
Call (215) 642-2335 or contact us online today to request your free, no-obligation consultation.
