How Can I Get A Police Report After A Car Accident in PA?

The aftermath of a car accident can leave you shaken and uncertain about what to do next. In those moments following a car crash, it’s important to know your rights and how to protect yourself, including knowing how to get a police report from a car accident. 

This blog breaks down the steps for obtaining a police report after a car accident in Pennsylvania. We delve into the importance of having a police report, circumstances where calling the police is mandatory, and what to do if the police report contains errors. 

Legal guidance is often needed after being in a car accident in PA, and obtaining the police report can strengthen your case when seeking the compensation you deserve. At Cousin Benny, our car accident lawyers have over 25 years of combined experience and have successfully recovered millions in settlements to help clients like you rebuild their lives.

Contact us at Cousin Benny and let our car accident lawyers help you get a car accident police report in Pennsylvania.

Steps To Obtain A Police Report in Pennsylvania

After a minor or serious car accident, getting a copy of your police report is vital to your personal injury claim. There are two ways to obtain your Pennsylvania police report: complete a formal request online at the Crash Report Requests website or mail a completed form and payment to the Crash Reports Unit in Harrisburg, PA.

It’s important to note the process for obtaining a police report may vary slightly depending on the municipality where the accident occurred. While the aforementioned methods apply to accidents investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, individual municipalities may have their own procedures for requesting and obtaining accident reports. You may need to contact the specific police department that responded to the accident for guidance on how to obtain the report. 

Here’s a breakdown of the ways to obtain your police accident report in Pennsylvania, along with some important things to know:

Request Your Report Online

To obtain accident reports online, visit the Pennsylvania State Police Crash Reports website. You can search for your report on the online crash portal either by entering your name and the date of the accident or by using the incident number provided by the officer at the scene.

If your report is found, add it to your online cart and pay the $22 processing fee. Once payment clears, you’ll receive your police report via email. Please note that it can take at least 15 days for your police report to become available within the system.

Request Your Report by Mail

If you prefer to request a copy by mail, start by downloading and completing the “Application to Obtain Copy of Police Crash Report” (Form SP7-0015), available on the Pennsylvania State Police website. Include a check or money order for $22 made payable to the “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” and mail your completed form and payment to the following address: Crash Reports Unit, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

If your accident was investigated by a local police department (and not the Pennsylvania State Police), you will need to contact that specific department for their procedure for obtaining your report. Local police departments may have their own fee for acquiring reports. For example, to obtain a copy of your accident report from the Philadelphia Police Department, you can follow these steps:

  1. Download the “Request for Police Report” form from the Philadelphia Police Department’s official website or visit your local police district to obtain a physical copy.
  2. Fill out the form with all required information, including details about the accident and your personal contact information.
  3. Enclose a check or money order for the applicable fee, which may vary depending on the type of report requested.
  4. Mail the completed form and payment to the Philadelphia Police Department at the following address:

Department of Records
Public Safety Records Unit
City Hall, Room 170
1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 1910

  1. Allow sufficient time for processing, as it may take several days or even weeks for your request to be fulfilled.

The Importance of Obtaining A Police Report After A Car Accident

After a car accident, a police accident report is a vital piece of documentation to possess. Accident reports offer assistance and support to your car accident claim in various ways, including:

  • Establishing Fault: The police report includes the officer’s observations of the accident scene and their determination of who may have caused the accident. While not the sole deciding factor, this assessment carries weight when determining fault.
  • Supporting Insurance Claims: Insurance companies scrutinize police reports for details like witness statements, descriptions of the damage, and any citations issued. A police report makes the claim process smoother and expedites your claim’s resolution.
  • Strengthening Your Case: If you need to take legal action to recover damages, the police report is an official record of when and how your accident occurred. It provides a neutral, third-party account supporting your case and makes it harder for the other party to deny their involvement or downplay the severity of the incident.
  • Protecting Yourself from False Accusations: Unfortunately, sometimes, the other driver might misrepresent the events of car accidents. A police report containing the investigating officer’s observations helps protect you from unfair accusations from the other drivers involved.
  • Documenting Injuries and Damages: The police report includes a description of any injuries sustained, if an ambulance was called, and the extent of the damage to the vehicles. This is essential for seeking proper compensation.

When Is It Necessary to Call the Police After a Crash?

Even in seemingly minor accidents, it is always wise to have a police report on record. It can prove incredibly valuable if complications arise later with your insurance company or the other parties involved in the accident. Pennsylvania law mandates that you must call the police and file a report if the auto accident involves:

  • Injuries or Fatalities: Any accident where someone is hurt or tragically loses their life requires police and emergency medical involvement.
  • Disabling Damage: If any vehicle involved cannot be safely driven from the scene of the accident, the police need to be notified.

What To Do If The Police Report Is Inaccurate or Incomplete

If you notice errors or omissions in your police report, it’s essential to act quickly. Contact the police records department that investigated the accident and request an amendment. Explain the inaccuracies clearly, and if possible, provide any supporting documentation to back up your claim. Amending the police report ensures that the official record of the accident is as accurate as possible.

Will the Police Officer File an Accident Report?

While it’s always a good idea to call the police after an accident, officers may only file a formal report in some instances. For minor collisions with no injuries and negligible property damage, the officer might instruct you and the other driver to exchange information instead of generating a full report.

What Information Will A Car Accident Report Contain?

A car accident report provides a detailed snapshot of the incident. In addition to the basics, a police report typically includes:

  • Date, time, and location of the accident: This establishes the exact circumstances of the event.
  • Your contact and insurance information: Used for follow-ups by insurance companies or any legal proceedings.
  • Details about other involved parties: This includes the names, contact details, and insurance information of any other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians involved.
  • Vehicle descriptions and damage: Documents the extent of property damage and any specific details that might be relevant.
  • Witness statements: If any witnesses were present, their observations and contact information may be included in the report.
  • The police officer’s observations and conclusions: The investigating officer will record their assessment of the scene, potential causes of the accident, and any citations issued.

How A Police Report Can Be Used In Legal Cases After A Car Accident

A police report carries significant weight in a PA car accident case. The accident report offers a neutral third-party perspective, making it a valuable tool for establishing the facts of the case. Insurance companies heavily reference police reports when evaluating claims and determining settlement amounts.

Additionally, your car accident attorney can leverage the details and findings within the report to strengthen your case in court, advocating for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Call Cousin Benny To Understand Your Legal Options After A Car Accident

One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself after being involved in a car accident is to obtain a copy of your police report. This official document serves as crucial evidence when dealing with insurance companies and can be essential if you need to pursue legal action to recover damages.

At Cousin Benny, we understand the complexities of car accident cases and the value of a police report in building your personal injury case. Our car accident lawyers have years of practice helping you handle the legal process and will fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you’re entitled to.

Contact us at Cousin Benny today for a free consultation to understand your legal options after a car accident in Pennsylvania.

Benjamin Hoffman

Benjamin Hoffman is a practicing attorney licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey as well as the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Benjamin handles cases for individuals who have been injured as a result of an accident, slip/trip and fall or medical negligence.

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Benjamin Hoffman

Benjamin Hoffman is a practicing attorney licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey as well as the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Benjamin handles cases for individuals who have been injured as a result of an accident, slip/trip and fall or medical negligence.
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