You might be shocked to find that in Connecticut, even a seemingly minor car accident needs to be reported to the police. For anyone who might need to file a claim to recover financial compensation for losses related to the accident, a police report is an important part of the claims process.
We will give you an overview of important information to know regarding a Connecticut car accident report. However, the most important thing to do after a car accident where you suffered an injury is to consult with an experienced CT car accident lawyer.
Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law has extensive experience in car accident cases in not only Connecticut, but the surrounding states. Call us today if you have questions.
Police Reports Are Required By Connecticut Law
A Uniform Police Crash Report is required by Connecticut law for every motor vehicle accident. Within five days of the accident, you must file an accident report if the damage caused by the accident exceeds $1,000. You won't have to do this individually because the police will submit the report at the scene of the accident.
All of the accident's specifics will be recorded by the officers in the report, and this information can later be used to identify who was at fault and assist you in your car accident claim.
What Details Are In The Police Report?
Most of the information you need for your insurance claim, any settlement discussions, or litigation resulting from the accident will be in the police report. It will consist of information regarding the specifics of the accident, as well as names, addresses and other details from both parties, witnesses, and anything related to the incident.
This information will help you prepare for your insurance claim with a lawyer. If you didn't acquire one at the scene, you can download a copy from the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection website.
Ways to Obtain Your Connecticut Accident Report
Two different kinds of accident reports are accessible from the Connecticut State Police Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
You can start by getting an initial copy of the Accident Information Summary for free. You will only need to enter a few pieces of information about your crash in order to obtain it. This is not the official accident report, FYI. To make sure that the state has your accident report on file, it might be helpful for informational purposes.
There are two ways to obtain your official accident report from Connecticut State Police:
- BuyCrash.com has the CT accident report available for purchase. Within ten days following a collision, this LexisNexis service normally posts Connecticut accident reports.
- Or, you can request a hard copy by mailing the "Request for Copy of Report" form DPS-96-C. A certified report costs $16, and it must be purchased.
Get a Copy From The Local Police Department
You can also request your accident report from a local law enforcement agency, in addition to the Connecticut State Police.
You may need to submit the request to your local law enforcement agency. Every local police agency has unique record-keeping policies and practices.
The LexisNexis system is used by several agencies to post auto accident records online, despite the fact that many of these systems are relatively similar.
Police Reports Are Admissible In Court
State law governs whether a police report is admissible. The reports are not admissible in certain states, although Connecticut allows them as an exception to the hearsay rule for business records. In order to help with your case, it is helpful to make sure to give a copy of the police report to your car accident lawyer at your initial meeting.
CT Car Accident Attorney, Brandon J. Broderick, Can Help
Don't try to handle your case alone if you've been injured in a car accident. The team at Brandon J. Broderick will fight for your rights and seek justice. You can rely on us to fight for your quality of life. We've assisted individuals just like you move on after suffering an accident brought on by another's negligence.
For a free legal assessment, contact us right now.