How To Get a Copy of the Police Report in Aurora, CO

What Is the Importance of a Police Report After a Car Accident in Aurora, Colorado?

A police report after a car accident is more than just a formality. It’s an essential piece of evidence that can help support your claim after a car accident.

Typically, after a car accident, a police officer will arrive on the scene to make an official report of the accident. This is what is known as the police report. The police report contains details that paint a clear picture of what happened, the injuries sustained, and the parties involved.

When you file a claim against a liable party’s insurance or pursue a lawsuit, the police report plays a really important role as it can give your case more credibility, which will help you recover the compensation you might be entitled to after an accident.

How To Obtain a Report in Aurora, Colorado

When a police report has been filed, you’ll be able to obtain a copy of the report for your records as well. In Aurora, Colorado, there are three avenues available for you to obtain a copy of the report:

1. You can complete the DR 2559 form online through the Colorado DMV.
2. You can also get a copy of the report by mailing in a request, including the case number and request details to the Aurora Police Department. Contact the police department ahead of time for guidance on fees that may apply.
3. You can also visit the Aurora Police Department in person to get a copy of your police report. Nominal fees apply with this method as well.

What Information Is Included in the Police Report?

Police reports are comprehensive, offering a detailed picture of what happened during your car accident. Not only that, but police reports are written up by police officers, parties who will typically have a non-biased input to the accident and will instead focus on writing down the facts of what transpired.

Some of the more technical information that will be detailed in the police report includes:

• Injuries: The police report will provide a general overview of what injuries were sustained by all the parties involved. If medical personnel arrive on the scene and treat drivers or passengers, that will be documented as well.
• Accident details: This includes how the accident happened, where impact on the vehicles involved occurred, and details, such as roadway conditions, skid marks, and even weather are other pieces of information that can be included in the police report.
• Witness statements: If anybody witnessed the accident happen, police officers will generally take down a witness statement that provides additional information on how the car accident occurred. Witness statements will typically include the contact information of the witness who detailed their version of events as well.
• Insurance information: The police report will include insurance information, including coverage and contact information for the involved insurance providers. If you or the other driver were not insured at the time of the accident, this will be documented as well.

How Can the Report Help in Recovering Compensation?

The police report plays a critical role in helping you recover compensation because it’s a piece of evidence that will be available to the insurance parties involved. Insurance adjusters use the police report to determine the extent of your injuries, as well as liability. These are both factors that impact the overall compensation you may be able to recover in a car accident.

If you were not at fault for the car accident happening, the police report can make it difficult for you to be faulted or held liable. As a result, this allows you to recover more compensation than you would if you were partially at fault.

For example, Colorado has a set of comparative negligence rules under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-111. These rules allow victims to recover compensation even if they were partially at fault for their injuries; however, they can only recover if they were 50% or less at fault, and the compensation they recover is diminished by the percentage of fault.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Aurora, Colorado

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Aurora, Colorado, you have legal rights and options available to you, but you have to make sure to take the right steps early on to preserve your rights and keep all your options open.

Here’s what to do after a car accident in Aurora:

• Contact an attorney to start the claims process: An experienced Aurora, Colorado, car accident injury attorney will be able to obtain a copy of the police report on your behalf, speak with insurance companies involved, and file documentation on your behalf before the required deadlines. If you enter into negotiations with an insurance company, a skilled attorney will know how to push back against low offers and negotiate aggressively on your behalf.
• Check for injuries: Immediately after the car accident, make sure to check for injuries and call 911 if you or anyone else on the scene requires medical attention.
• Call the police: If nobody requires medical attention, it is still a good idea to call the Aurora, Colorado, police department’s non-emergency number for EMS support because non-visible injuries, like internal bruising or broken bones, might not present symptoms hours or even days after your accident.
• Get the police report: When you call 911, a police officer will be dispatched. Anytime a police officer is dispatched, a police report will be written up. Follow up with the police officer to get their name and their case number so you can get a copy of the police report at a later time.
• Document the scene if you are able: This includes taking pictures and videos of your injuries, the scene of the accident, the damage to the vehicles, any signage, and other images you think can be used as evidence to strengthen your case. If your accident happened near a major intersection, like Alameda Ave. or I-225, make sure to capture the surrounding area.

Speak With a Car Accident Injury Attorney Today

At Bachus & Schanker, our highly experienced car accident attorneys can help you navigate the claims process so you can focus on your healing journey, while we focus on holding negligent parties accountable.

Call today to schedule a free case consultation with our attorneys to understand your legal rights and options in depth.

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