In Canada, the accident rate may be exceedingly difficult. And it all starts with attempting to comprehend your police accident report from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Because of all the many codes, symbols, and acronyms, this text might be perplexing.
People may think, how do I read a police report? I have no idea about these kinds of things. And that why we are talking about how to read a police report after an accident. Here you go.
Contents
How to Read a Police Report for a Car Accident?
If you file a claim late, your whole claim may be invalidated. The report must point to the correct spot. This important element will determine deadlines, such as the statute of limitations. The accuracy of the information provided by the parties involved might be critical in determining responsibility.
These remarks, along with the police statement, will be the most scrutinized and debated between your and the fault party’s lawyer in trials.
Your hired legal team will be able to obtain evidence and further statements very easily if you are familiar with this area. The on-duty officer determines who they feel violates a traffic or vehicle law and registers that in their report. And that is why you must have some basic idea on how to read a police report.
Police Report: Page 1
It’s all in the details. Don’t offer your insurer an excuse to reject your claim. Check everything very thoroughly, from your details to the exact date of the accident. Simply everything and spare no details.
Injured People
Check very attentively about the number of injured people the police officer put in the form. This is how many individuals were hurt in your car collision. Check to see if this figure matches the number of individuals injured in your accident. Or else, the authority may dispute whether you or others were injured in the collision while paying for the compensation.
Involved
This crucial component of your accident report offers details regarding the injuries sustained in the collision. For example, in Row 14, there is the physical location of the injury.
Row 15 talks about the type of injury, and Row 16, the severity of the injury. It should all be noted. On Page 2, look for the particular codes for these three entries.
What is in boxes 19 & 20
Sometimes you think, what do the numbers mean on a police report?
Here you go. Boxes 19-24 on the right side of Page 1 contain information on the cause of your accident. Such as-
- 2 denotes “alcohol involvement,”
- 5 denotes “driver inexperience,”
- 8 denotes “fell asleep,” 9 denotes “following too closely,”
- 19 denotes “unsafe speed,”
- 28 denotes “aggressive driving/road rage,” and
- 31 says “texting.”
On page 2, you’ll get the whole code for boxes 19-24.
Police Report: Page 2 & 3
Special numeric codes may be found in several of the boxes on Page 1. On this website, you may learn what these codes indicate.
It might be difficult to match together with the proper codes for each box. That’s why you need a qualified vehicle accident lawyer from your locality on your side who understands how to interpret these records.
Page 4
The codes for Columns 14, 15, and 16 on Page 1 are explained in further detail on this page. Although on Page 2, you’ll find the same information.
On the other hand, the other hand described further into the part where the types of injuries are in three different columns.
Take notice of the codes written by the officer in Column 15 of Page 1, which is devoted to the “Type of Physical Complaints.” For example,
- 4 says “Minor Bleeding,”
- 5 says “Severe Bleeding,”
- 9 denotes “Fracture & Dislocation,” and
- 10 implies “Contusion & Bruise.”
When it comes to getting covered by insurance companies, the often little difference between a slight and serious injury might be a major concern. Check to see whether you agree with the officer’s evaluation of your injuries. Alternatively, please contact your lawyers right away.
Page 5 & 6
A four-digit number is assigned to each hospital in every local area throughout the country. On this page, you’ll find these codes used for hospitals.
Ensure the code in this box matches the code in Boxes 17 and 18 used on Page 1. the injuries caused for car accidents that necessitate hospitalization are quite dangerous. Don’t try to tackle the situation on your own. Ask for help from your relatives and talk to your lawyer.
Page 7
Commercial truck accidents frequently result in catastrophic casualties and high costs. This portion is about accidents involving cars, buses, trucks, and tractor-trailers, among other vehicles. A unique code is assigned to each huge vehicle or bus.
These codes can be found on page seven. The box title could be ‘vehicle type’ on the accident form. No need to panic. It is because experienced lawyers handle several bus and truck accidents and pedestrian incidents every day.
Do I Need a Police Report after an Accident?
It is essential to take the investigating officer’s help or summon the officer as a witness. A court or insurance company must rely exclusively on the reports of the parties involved if there is no police record. This might lead to an unjustly low compensation or a negative verdict. So, do it how the law says.
The report is meant to be a neutral point of view that can significantly impact the case, represented in front of the judge. The police officer is responsible for taking statements and documenting any probable circumstances that may have contributed to the accident.
Contact Your Personal Injury Lawyer
When you’ve been hurt as a result of someone else’s carelessness, you deserve to be treated nicely for the tragic events you faced. Some insurance firms are more concerned with maintaining their profits than with settling claims fairly.
A personal injury lawyer has the expertise, men power, and experience to handle every element of your claim, argue vigorously for your best interests, and fight to obtain the proper compensation you deserve for the accident.
A personal injury lawyer can also help you get proper medical treatments for your injury. In some cases, they have information about the proper hospitals, which is best to save every receipt of the expanse. So, it will be helpful indeed.
That is why after the accident, make a police report and then talk to your lawyer on your next steps.
Conclusion
Accidents are never pleasant. You lose so many things, and you need proper support from the government in crucial times like this.
And that is why you need to follow the rules step by step. This article will help you and give you a basic idea of how to read a car accident police report. Be safe out there on the road!
