The police report officers write about your car accident contains many important details that can help our attorneys as we build your case, investigate fault, and gather evidence.
For most car accidents in Normal, the Normal Police Department issues crash reports that you can download online from Buycrash.com. For accidents on interstates in and around Normal, victims may need to request Illinois State Police reports. For help obtaining and understanding police reports, victims can turn to our lawyers after serious car accidents.
Get a free case evaluation by calling the Normal, IL personal injury lawyers at Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 598-0014.
Who Writes Police Reports for Car Accidents in Normal?
Typically, officers from the Normal Police Department respond to and write crash reports for car accidents in the area.
Can You Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Person?
You may be able to go to the Normal Police Department in person to request a copy of a police report, but it might take several days for your request to be processed.
Can You Get a Police Report for a Car Accident Online?
You can request a copy of a police report for a car accident by completing a Freedom of Information Act request and submitting it to an online portal. For even more immediate access to a report, you may download your report from BuyCrash.com, a trusted third party.
How Much Do Car Accident Police Reports Cost in Normal?
Traffic accident reports in Normal cost just $3, regardless of the number of pages in a report.
Where Can You Get a Police Report for a Car Accident on I-55 in Normal?
If you are injured in an accident on I-55 in Normal, officers from the Illinois State Police might respond to the scene and write the police report our lawyers obtain in the future.
Where Can You Get a Police Report for a Car Accident on I-74 in Normal?
The Illinois State Police also patrols and responds to accidents on I-74, a common roadway for serious accidents in Normal.
How to Get an Accurate Police Report After a Car Accident
Do everything you can to ensure the police report is accurate, such as reporting the accident immediately and being transparent with officers.
Report the Crash Immediately
To ensure an accurate police report, report the crash to law enforcement immediately. Don’t wait days, hours, or even minutes to call the police, and dial 911 as soon as you can. The faster officers arrive, the more detailed the resulting report may be.
Be Honest with Responding Police Officers
You should also be honest with responding police officers and not downplay another driver’s negligent conduct because you feel bad. Honesty matters, but so does protecting your future claim, so don’t accept any amount of fault when talking with the police.
Point Out Report Inaccuracies
The only way to know whether a police report is accurate is to obtain it and review it with our Normal, IL car accident lawyers. We can flag inaccuracies as we read the report with you and report those issues to the Normal Police Department or Illinois State Police, depending on which agency responded to the crash site and completed the report.
How Long Do You Have to Wait to Get a Police Report After a Car Accident?
Traffic accident reports are not immediately available after collisions. Victims typically have to wait several business days for officers to finish and file reports, but it can sometimes take longer.
What if You Need Help Getting a Police Report After a Car Accident?
If you need help getting the police report for a recent car accident, like most badly injured victims do, you can turn to our lawyers to help track down and retrieve it from the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Are Police Reports Evidence in Illinois Car Accident Claims?
In general, police reports are not admissible evidence in Illinois car accident claims, but that doesn’t mean they can’t meaningfully contribute to your case in other ways.
What Can You Learn by Getting the Police Report After a Car Accident in Normal?
We can learn a lot of useful information about an accident from the corresponding police report that helps guide our investigation and case preparation.
Eyewitnesses’ Names
Police reports contain a wealth of information about an accident, including eyewitnesses’ names and contact details. Our attorneys can use this information to reach out and schedule prompt interviews with witnesses who may go on to testify in a lawsuit.
Road Conditions
The police report will also note the road conditions at the time of the accident. If large potholes or other consequences of negligent road maintenance caused your accident, the local government in Normal might be liable for your damages.
Weather Conditions
Officers will also note weather conditions at the time of an accident in case slick roads or heavy rain contributed to the incident. Bad weather is not an excuse for poor driving, and drivers must adjust their speed and behavior for dangerous conditions.
Injuries at the Scene
A police report can contain detailed information on all victims and their apparent injuries at the scene. The report for your accident should indicate whether paramedics arrived or your injuries required any medical treatment.
Negligent Drivers’ Information
The police report also tells us the negligent driver’s first and last name, contact information, and insurance information, all of which are important for your future compensation claim.
Citations
If officers issue citations to negligent drivers at crash sites, they will note them in the police report. Citations can tell us more about the driver’s actions and whether they were distracted, speeding, or even under the influence when the accident happened.
Call Us for Help with Your Car Accident Case
Call Rhatigan Law Offices’ Illinois personal injury lawyers at (312) 598-0014 for your free case review.
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