The Role of Police Reports in Personal Injury Claims
March 13, 2025
If you’ve ever been in a wreck, looking up the police report might have been one of the last things on your mind, especially if you or a loved one has been grievously injured. However, the detailed documentation found within the police reports relied on in personal injury cases is often the foundation of a successful claim.
When it comes to getting justice for you and your family and moving forward in the aftermath, the importance of accident reports cannot be understated. Not only do they document your accident in detail, but they could also contain crucial information that will make or break your case by helping you prove negligence or establish liability.
Police Reports, Personal Injury Claims: How Do They Fit Together?
If you get into an accident but still have your bearings, your natural instinct may be to call 911 — and that’s a good instinct. Along with sending paramedics to the scene to make sure everyone who needs medical attention can receive it, 911 dispatchers will typically send law enforcement officers as well.
When an officer responds to a crash, their job is to document the event as objectively as possible, gathering pertinent details and producing an official record of what happened. They will usually make note of the following:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Names and contact information of everyone involved
- Description of the vehicles or property involved
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Diagrams or photos of the scene
- The officer’s assessment of the incident, including possible contributing factors
Beyond the immediate details, accident reports sometimes contain more nuanced observations. These can be pivotal in establishing a timeline of events. For instance, if you’re in a car accident, the officer’s notes might mention weather conditions that affected visibility at the time of the accident or the presence of any road hazards. Minor details like these can paint a clearer picture of the circumstances leading up to the accident, potentially revealing contributing factors that might have otherwise been overlooked.
The officer’s report can also help establish liability and demonstrate the extent of your losses. If the police report of your car accident shows that the other driver received a citation for a traffic violation like speeding, that could really strengthen your case.
However, an accident report is not always the definitive answer to who bears responsibility. It’s a critical piece of evidence, but it’s not the only piece. While an officer’s opinion carries a lot of weight, the final determination of who’s liable for the accident rests with insurance providers or the courts.
If you’re involved in an accident, get a copy of the police report and look it over as soon as you can. This step arms you with crucial information and gives you a chance to identify and dispute any errors. Discrepancies or mistakes in a police accident report could unfairly hurt your case in negotiations or court.
A well-documented police report can serve as a strong foundation for your personal injury claim, providing clear and objective evidence of the accident.
Building a Solid Personal Injury Claim
In simple terms, a personal injury claim is a way to seek compensation for losses you’ve suffered due to someone else’s actions. Accident reports help establish liability (who is at fault) and the extent of the damage. Additionally, witness statements in the report that corroborate your version of events can make your story more credible.
Be aware that many jurisdictions follow a comparative negligence rule. That means both parties can share responsibility for what happened. In Pennsylvania, you have to be less at fault than the defendant in order to recover damages. So if you’re found to be partially responsible because of what’s mentioned in a police report, you can still get compensation — it just might be less than you’d hoped for.
This underscores how important it is to make sure the police report is accurate. If a police officer misreports your actions, their report could actually hurt your personal injury case.
If you need help getting a copy of your police report, interpreting it, or correcting inaccuracies, reach out to Wapner Newman at (215) 569-0900 today.
How Soon Should You File a Personal Injury Claim?
The statute of limitations on a personal injury claim is two years in Pennsylvania. The clock starts on the date of the accident, so you have two years from that day to file a lawsuit. If you don’t discover you are injured until some time after the accident, that deadline may be extended.
While it may seem as though you have a good chunk of time, two years can go by fast, especially if your days are filled with going to medical appointments, adjusting to a new way of life, and preparing your case.
Typically, the sooner you act, the better your chances are. You’ll not only get compensation earlier, but you’ll also have time to gather evidence while the incident is still fresh in everyone’s mind. Over time, memories fade and get distorted; acting fast makes it much easier to build a compelling case.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Going through an accident is hard enough, and trying to handle a personal injury claim on top of that can make you feel exhausted and out of your depth. Having an experienced attorney in your corner not only makes the process easier but also improves your chances of success.
A seasoned personal injury lawyer can review the police accident report, gather additional evidence to support your claim, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and even represent you in court, if it comes to that. They can also help you understand your rights and work aggressively toward an outcome in your favor.
If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident, don’t hesitate — call Wapner Newman at (215) 569-0900 today. Our legal team is ready to give you the support and guidance you need to get through this and get back to living your life.