How To Get a Car Accident Report in Fort Collins 

What Is a Fort Collins Car Accident Police Report?  

When a car accident happens, law enforcement officials will often respond to the scene, either after a driver or passenger involved in the accident dials emergency services or after a bystander witnesses the accident.  

When police are dispatched to Fort Collins car accidents, the responding officer will document the accident in an official record, known as a Traffic Crash Report. This report will be filed by the Fort Collins Police Services, along with other Larimer County accident reports, if the accident happened on local roadways, or by the Colorado State Patrol, if the accident happened on a state highway.  

This traffic report provides critical information for all parties, including insurance providers involved in the crash.  

Some of these details include:  

• Contact information: This includes the info of all drivers, passengers, and even witnesses who saw the accident happen.  
• Officer’s narrative: A description of the accident from the perspective of the officer. Their description is based on drivers, passengers, and witnesses they talk to when they arrive on scene.  
• Diagram: This is a rough sketch of the accident scene, including vehicle positions, and points of impact.  
• Citations issued: If there were any traffic violations that contributed to the accident, those would be noted in the report as well.  
• Official report number: This is a numerical record that serves as the key identifier for retrieving the document.  

Why Is a Car Accident Police Report Important?  

A car accident police report is more than just a formality. It’s a critical document that often serves as a first step for victims and their legal team as they begin building a case against negligent parties and insurance companies.  

If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident, the car accident report helps to prove that there is an official link between your injuries and the accident. This makes it harder for insurance companies that may try to push back against the validity of your injuries.  

Insurance companies will also turn to police reports to determine fault and liability. Providing the report to your insurance provider sooner rather than later makes it more streamlined for your claim to be resolved.  

Finally, police reports offer legal protection because they can help you prove your claim, if you pursue additional legal action, such as filing a personal injury lawsuit.  

Step-By-Step: How To Obtain Your Fort Collins Car Accident Report  

Now that you have a clearer understanding of the importance of a car accident police report, you’ll need to know how to obtain a copy of the police report for your own records. There are several ways you can obtain your car accident report.  

They include the following:  

• Online: Visit Request for Criminal Justice Records, and click on “New Request,” where you’ll be prompted to enter information such as your name or police report number. There is a service fee to request a copy online.  
• In person: You can also visit the Fort Collins Police Services headquarters to request a copy of the police report in person. There is also a small service fee, but you can typically get a copy of the report on the same day.  
• By mail: You can also mail a request for a copy of the police report to the Fort Collins Police Services headquarters. In your letter, be specific with identifying information, such as the police report identifying numbers, so officials can easily find the right police report for you. You’ll also need to include a check to cover the service fee cost as well.  

How the Attorneys at Bachus & Schanker Can Help  

Obtaining a copy of the police report is an important first step after being involved in a car accident, but it might often be the last thing on your mind after an accident. This is where the support of an experienced Fort Collins car accident attorney can be invaluable.  

You don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. At Bachus & Schanker, our team of talented attorneys are ready to support you in the way you need.  

Our attorneys will handle all the important details after your accident including:  

• Obtaining a copy of the police report.  
• Keeping track of all timelines and filing deadlines.  
• Tracking down and speaking with witnesses for a more detailed explanation of what they observed.  
• Helping collect additional evidence, including photos and videos of the accident that can support your claim.  
• Pulling in medical experts and an accident reconstructionist, when necessary.  
• Speaking with involved parties, including insurance companies.  
• Calculate the damages you’ve suffered to ensure maximum compensation is sought after.  
• Aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair settlement.  

Legal Support You Can Trust After a Fort Collins Car Accident  

You don’t have to navigate the aftermath of a car accident alone. An experienced personal injury attorney can provide you with the legal support and guidance you need to hold responsible parties accountable. One of those supports is helping you build a strong claim if you’ve suffered a personal injury.  

The right legal experts can help you collect critical evidence, including a copy of the police report of your accident. Get the support you need after a car accident when you turn to the Fort Collins personal injury team at Bachus & Schanker.  

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