The police report from a car accident provides key details about your crash and how it occurred. Those involved in the incident rely on that information to be correct. If the police report contains errors, it could make your claim more challenging.
It is important to locate and address police report errors promptly to ensure key details and your account of how the crash occurred is accurately represented. Even minor inaccuracies could complicate your claim or affect the outcome of your case.
If you plan to pursue a legal claim, our experienced car accident lawyers in Chattanooga are prepared to help. Our skilled attorneys can help you navigate even the most complex case. We can also guide you on how to address any inaccuracies you find in your police report, gather additional evidence and advocate on your behalf.
At Massey & Associates, we are committed to getting you the results you need. Contact our law offices today to discuss your situation and potential legal options.
Request a FREE legal consultation today. (423) 396-0720
What Role Does a Police Report Play in a Car Accident?
Police reports are generally considered hearsay as they involve statements made outside of the courtroom. This means, they are not admissible in a court of law. The information included within the report, however, is still quite useful. It can be referenced throughout your case, and is can be greatly beneficial to your claim. Police reports are typically created by law enforcement when they respond to a car crash. These reports serve several key functions, including:
- Record of the Incident: This document contains key details of the crash, including the time, location, vehicle information, location of vehicle damage and more.
- Determining Fault: Officers document their observations about who they believe may have been at fault for the crash based on the evidence collected at the scene.
- Insurance Purposes: Insurers may rely on police reports to help them determine liability for the crash. The information may also help your attorney sway them to provide a favorable settlement.
- Legal Proceedings: While a police report is generally not admissible in a court of law, the details within it may be used or referenced by both parties.
Given the influence a police report may have on a car crash claim, it is vital that you check you report as soon as it is available to check for any mistakes.
What Types of Mistakes Could a Police Report Have?
Mistakes in a police report can range from minor inaccuracies to significant errors that could affect the outcome of your claim or legal case. Common mistakes include:
- Incorrect Personal Information: The report might list the wrong name, address or contact information.
- Vehicle Information Errors: The make, model, color or VIN number could be wrong.
- Wrong Location: The officer may occasionally note an incorrect crash location, mainly if the accident occurred near an intersection or on a busy road.
- Fault Determination: Officers might incorrectly assign blame for the crash based on their observation without considering all the evidence.
- Missed Evidence: If an officer fails to document specific details, such as skid marks, vehicle damage or witness statements, it could affect how the incident is interpreted.
- The Vehicle Diagram Is Wrong: A police report may include a diagram of the crash scene that does not accurately reflect how the accident occurred.
If you note errors in your Tennessee police report, you should take immediate steps to correct them. The longer you wait, the harder they will be to correct.
Categories of Police Report Errors and How To Correct Them
Police reports play a vital role in your vehicle accident claim, but errors can occur when officers document the scene. Understanding these mistakes and their solutions helps protect your legal rights after a Chattanooga crash.
Factual Errors
Simple factual mistakes include wrong vehicle details, misspelled names, incorrect insurance information, or location errors. You can address these clear-cut errors by submitting supporting paperwork to the police department. Common proof includes your vehicle registration, insurance cards, or driver’s license to verify correct information.
Disputed Facts
Disputed elements involve conflicting accounts of the accident itself. These disagreements often center on vehicle speeds, traffic light colors, or driver behaviors before impact. While harder to resolve than basic errors, you can challenge disputed facts by providing evidence like dashcam recordings, nearby security footage, eyewitness accounts, or accident scene photos.
Time is critical when addressing police report errors. Quick action gives you a better chance that the responding officer may still recall specific details about your crash. If the officer does not remember or will not agree to make any changes, you have the right to submit a written statement detailing your account of what happened. You can send this in and request that it be added as a permanent supplement to the official report. This addition can help to provide valuable context for insurance companies and legal teams reviewing your case.
How Could Errors in a Police Report Affect My Injury Case?
An inaccurate police report can complicate your case in several ways:
- Insurance Claims: Insurance companies rely on police reports to determine fault and assess liability. If the report incorrectly attributes fault, it can delay or reduce the compensation you may be eligible to receive.
- Personal Injury Lawsuits: If you decide to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, an incorrect police report can impact the legal process. While the report is not admissible as evidence, details within it could influence a judge or jury’s perception of the case.
- Settlement Negotiations: Inaccuracies in your police report about the accident can complicate efforts to negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
It is important to understand that while police reports are valuable, they are not the only evidence that will be examined. The courts and insurance companies will also consider witness testimonies, photos, medical records and other evidence.
How Can an Attorney Help Me Address These Errors?
When a police report for your Tennessee car crash contains errors, consulting a personal injury attorney can be highly beneficial. An attorney can guide you through the process of correcting the report and work to ensure that your perspective is accurately represented.
An experienced attorney can assist you by:
- Reviewing the police report: A lawyer can help identify specific errors or omissions in the report you may have missed that could affect your case.
- Gathering evidence: Attorneys can guide you on what documents or evidence you need to properly dispute incorrect information in the report.
- Communicating with the police: Your attorney can contact the police department to request corrections or updates to the report, ensuring that any inaccuracies are addressed and the details are accurately reflected.
- Representing you in court: If your case goes to trial, an attorney will be your advocate and will work to present all relevant evidence, including any corrections made to the police report.
Having an experienced car accident lawyer working on your behalf means you have someone fighting to protect your best interests. Legal representation can also help to dispute arguments from the insurance company, helping to reduce significant delays or complications in your case.
Reach Out to a Skilled Tennessee Lawyer Now
If you discover errors on the police report for your Tennessee car crash, you should take prompt action to get them corrected.
At Massey & Associates, we have a history of proven success and are prepared to help you navigate the legal process of recovering compensation for your damages. This includes help you to dispute any inaccuracies in your police report. Do not let errors in the police report jeopardize your claim—reach out to Massey & Associates now and get the legal support you need.
Call now for a free consultation: (423) 396-0720
Gary Massey, Jr., is a well-known courtroom advocate practicing law in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gary is a native of Tennessee who began practicing law in 1998. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law where he was ranked in the top 3% of his class and was an editor of the Cumberland Law Review.
