If you are ever involved in a car accident, the first thing you should do is call for help. A 911 dispatcher can send an ambulance and the police to your location. Not only can the police render emergency aid, but they may investigate the accident to determine exactly what happened. When the investigation is complete, we should get a copy of their report, as it might help us get you compensation for your injuries.
Where we get a copy of the police report depends on which department responded to the accident. The local or state authorities might have handled the case depending on where your accident happened. We must also consider how long it might take for the authorities to investigate. A more severe or complex accident usually means that a report will not be ready for a while, but that does not mean we cannot begin building a case for you. Once the report is ready, it might have information the police uncovered that we do not know about. It may also lend credibility to your claims, especially if you file an insurance claim.
Get an initial private case assessment for free from our Evanston car accident attorney at the Rhatigan Law Offices by calling (312) 578-8502.
Where Can I Find Copies of the Police Report for an Evanston Car Accident?
Generally, police reports are available online. Depending on which police department handled the report and which online portal we must use, you may be charged a small fee when you make a request. While online reports can be quick and easy, you need to know where to go to get them. The online portal used by local law enforcement might not be the same one used by state authorities.
If your accident occurred within the city limits of Evanston, it is likely that the Evanston Police Department is handling your accident. Reports from this department are maintained by the Records Bureau. According to the Bureau, accident reports are free to the public but may come at a small fee for attorneys, insurance companies, or other agencies. You may submit a request online, also for a small fee. It may be possible to contact the local police directly and ask about getting a copy of your report.
If your accident happened outside Evanston or on a state highway, it might fall under the authority of the Illinois State Police. The state authorities also offer reports online or through the mail, and if you request a copy online, there might be a small fee. The state authorities also offer copies of crash reports by mail. According to their website, requests are fulfilled according to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, and our attorneys can help you fill out the necessary forms. Unredacted crash reports will only be provided if we have a court order or subpoena.
When is the Police Report About My Car Accident in Evanston Available?
Exactly when your accident report is available depends on a number of factors that you should discuss with your attorney when you begin your case. Generally, the report may be available when the police are finished with their investigation. If your accident was fairly straightforward, the police might have finished investigating quickly and issued a report in a few weeks. If your accident was more complicated, involved serious injuries, or involved fatalities, the police will take longer to investigate, and we might wait longer for a copy of the report.
There may be other factors at play that we cannot control. For example, the time it takes for the police to complete your accident report may depend on how busy they are with other duties. If the department is especially busy, accident reports might take a backseat to more pressing matters. Not only that, but a more serious accident involving death, injuries, or criminal charges will likely take priority over a less serious case. If you are still waiting for a report, talk to our lawyers about how to get a copy.
Why Getting Copies of the Police Report for an Auto Accident in Evanston is So Important
You might be wondering why the police report is so important and whether it is even worth the effort of trying to get it. The police report is more than just a document about the crash. It is official documentation that shows courts and insurance companies that your claims are real and legitimate. Car accident claims are faked all the time, and insurance companies are constantly on the lookout for fraudulent claims. If you have an official police report, the insurance company knows they can trust your claims and may be willing to compensate you. The same goes for courts and civil cases. The police report lends legitimacy to your case and can help you get the compensation you deserve.
In some cases, police reports provide victims with information they were previously unaware of. Remember, the police write these reports based on their investigation of the crash. Information and evidence they uncover may be included, and it might change how we approach the case. This is especially important to consider if your accident involves multiple vehicles and is more complex. The police report might shed light on who is responsible and contain evidence of fault.
The report might also be necessary to protect yourself. It is not unusual for a negligent driver who caused an accident to deny responsibility and blame others. They might try to point the finger of blame at you. While not normally admissible in court, the accident report might contain enough details and evidence to dispel any notion that you somehow caused the accident. In many ways, it may be useful if you have to defend yourself.
Contact Our Evanston Car Accident Attorneys for Assistance
Get an initial private case assessment for free from our Evanston personal injury attorney at the Rhatigan Law Offices by calling (312) 578-8502.
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