Traffic Accident: How to File a Police Report

This article gives a brief definition of a "Traffic Accident" and explains how and why you should file a Police report.

Definition of a Traffic Accident

The definition of a traffic accident is when one or more vehicles are involved in a collision with a fixed, movable object, pedestrian or other vehicle and sustain any type of damage or injury to any occupant or pedestrian.

How to file the Police report

If you are involved in a traffic collision, contact the local Police department in the jurisdiction where the accident took place.

If you are injured call 9-1-1 and the Police will respond to help and investigate.

If you there are no injuries then exchange pertinent information with the other driver and contact your respective insurance companies.

Some Police agencies may allow you to file a traffic accident report on-line, over the phone or in person by going to the Police station. Some Police departments may send a Patrol car to your location to take a report.

Some Police departments will not take a Police report unless the accident is a hit and run or there are injuries.

What you need to file the report

You will need proper identification to start the report, a complete and full account of what happened, your vehicle registration, insurance card and driver's license. You may provide any pictures of accident scene and any witness information.

Why file a report

You are filing a traffic accident report for a few reasons. First, whoever is at fault needs to be accountable for causing the accident and be responsible for any damages and medical bills.

Filing Police reports, also help the Police track where traffic violations are occurring and causing too many accidents. A survey can be done to determine what the cause of too many accidents is and then try to solve the problem with traffic signals, clearer signs or lowering the speed limit.

Conclusion

Filing a traffic accident report with the Police is a simple process. The Police will fill out a report from your account of the situation and any witness statements.

Make sure, once you file a Police report that you always get your Police report case number and either a receipt that you filed a report or an actual copy of the report for your records.

Article also posted on Triond by Scott Hallock