How to Request Police Accident Reconstruction Reports
Many people want police investigation information and verification after an accident to be sure they receive any monetary concessions to which they may be entitled. Victims often have to request these accident reconstruction reports. The requester often must pay the police department involved because the reports cost time and money. Reconstruction reports differ from crash reports; they recreate the scene leading up to the accident to provide maximum detail about what happened. Crash reports rely on eyewitness testimony and the scene after the crash has occurred.
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Instructions
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Fill out a detailed reconstruction request form. You can get these at any police department. You will need to include the crash number as written on the accident report, the Deparment of Transportation number which is under the bar code on that same report, the date of the crash and the names of all drivers and passengers involved.
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Include correct payment as designated by the police department. Each department has its own charge for accident reconstruction, based on the time and manpower they invest. Also include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the department can reply easily.
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Send the request form, money and envelope to the correct department for handling crash reconstruction affairs. This is usually, but not always, the patrol records unit.
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Tips & Warnings
While you can usually request crash reports by phone or e-mail, crash reconstruction reports almost always have to be done through the regular post office.
Make sure you are dealing with the police department that was on-scene at the accident. Many times state police departments do not deal with crashes on municipal roads.
References
- Photo Credit Police officer at the scene of the Jeep and car road accident. image by Dragan Trifunovic from Fotolia.com
