How to Obtain Crash Reports/Police Reports after a Louisiana Automobile Accident
When the shock subsides after an automobile accident, many accident victims’ attention turns to fixing their property damage. In order to do this, insurance claims need to be made. Police reports are valuable sources of information necessary to make insurance claims and are used by insurance companies to determine what party caused an accident.
Thus, it is imperative that a person involved in a car crash locate and obtain the police report after an accident. Police reports are usually ready seven (7) days after a police officer investigates a collision. However, this timeline may vary depending on the law enforcement agency responsible for authoring the report. Also, the cost of the police report will vary but should not exceed $20.00.
An accident victim can do several things to obtain the crash report. First, ask the police officer or state trooper at the scene where and when the police report can be obtained. Second, the police officer will give paperwork to each party after the accident. This paperwork will state important information about the other driver(s)—i.e., name(s) and insurance carrier(s)—and indicate how and when the police report can be obtained. Third, a party can go to the office of the law enforcement agency that created the report to purchase a copy of the report in most cases.
Fourth, a party can search the internet for databases that allow for the purchase of accident reports. Not all jurisdictions’ reports can be found on every database. So, in most cases an accident party will only be able to use one of the several databases to locate and purchase the report. The internet databases include Buy Crash, Lexis Nexis and Louisiana State Troopers’ website.
Fifth, an accident party can also call the law enforcement agency that created the report to determine the easiest way to obtain the report. In some cases, the accident party will need to be pick up the report in person, or the report can be mailed. That is the case with New Orleans Police Department reports. On the other hand, accident reports created by the Jefferson Parish Sherriff’s Office for accidents in Metairie and other Jefferson Parish cities can be obtained on buycrash.com.
Lawyer Don D’Aunoy is a personal injury attorney. Lawyer Don’s office is in Metairie. However, he represents clients throughout southeast Louisiana. He makes free house calls and provides free consultations. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident, please contact him today at 504-508-6414.
