How Do I Request a Police Report After an Accident in Roanoke, VA?

You have several options to request a police report after an accident in Roanoke, Virginia. You can contact the Roanoke County Police Records Division at (540) 777-8605. You can also request a report from the Virginia DMV, visit a third-party website like buycrash.com, or go to the Roanoke Police Department in person. 

Who May Request a Police Report After an Accident?

In Roanoke County, Virginia, anyone involved in a traffic accident investigated by the Roanoke County Police can obtain a free copy of the accident report. To do so, contact the Roanoke County Police Records Division at (540) 777-8605.

You can also obtain a crash report from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV provides crash reports to specific parties involved in the crash or their authorized representatives. This includes:

• Drivers involved in the crash
• Passengers in the vehicles at the time of the crash
• Injured persons, whether they are drivers, passengers, or bystanders
• Owners of any vehicles or property involved in the crash
• Personal representatives of anyone involved, injured, or killed in the crash
• Attorneys representing any person involved, injured, or killed
• Authorized representatives of an insurance company dealing with the crash
• Parents or legal guardians of a minor who was injured or killed in the crash

Are There Other Ways to Obtain a Police Report?

Apart from calling the Police Records Division or contacting the DMV, you can obtain a police report following a traffic crash in Roanoke by:

Going to Buycrash.com

The Roanoke Police Department uses buycrash.com to facilitate the retrieval of accident reports. This system is available exclusively online, providing rapid access to reports, often within 24 hours.

Visiting the Roanoke County Police in Person

Another option is to visit the Roanoke Police Department at 348 Campbell Avenue SW to request a copy of the crash report in person. This method costs $10, payable in cash or money order. Contact our Roanoke car accident lawyer today.

What Will I Need to Get a Police Report?

When requesting a police accident report in Virginia, you will need to provide specific information about the accident to ensure you get the correct documents.

Here’s the info you should have on hand after a car accident:

• The date of the accident
• The location of the accident
• The name(s) of the involved parties
• The case number (if available)
• Your relationship to the accident or the parties involved
• Your contact information
• Your reason for requesting the report

Is There a Cost for the Police Report?

In Roanoke County, Virginia, the cost to obtain a police accident report varies based on the retrieval method. Roanoke citizens can get copies of their accident reports from the Roanoke County Police Records Division at no cost. However, if you obtain the report in person from the Roanoke Police Department, the cost is $10, payable only in cash or money order.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles also charges a fee of $8 per crash report. Third-party services like buycrash.com usually involve additional costs, offering convenient but more expensive options for obtaining crash reports.

How Will I Receive the Police Report?

If you request a police report through the Roanoke County Police Records Division, you can pick it up in person or have it sent by mail. If you use an online service like buycrash.com, the report is typically available for download in PDF format, which you can then view, save, or print. If you request your report in person at the Roanoke Police Department, you will receive a physical copy of the report after paying the required fee. When going through the DMV, they will mail the report by U.S. Postal Service first class mail.

Do I Need a Police Report to File an Insurance Claim in Virginia?

You’ll usually need a police report when filing an insurance claim after a Virginia traffic accident. Most insurance companies require these reports as they provide an official record of the incident. A crash report provides crucial details such as the date, time, and location of the accident, the identities of the involved parties, and an objective assessment of the events and damages. Insurance companies need this information to assess liability, process claims accurately, and determine coverage.

Police reports can also resolve disagreements between parties involved in the accident. They offer objective accounts that can be critical in cases where the cause of the accident or the extent of damages is in dispute. Additionally, police reports often contain information about traffic law violations, which can be relevant in determining fault.

For minor accidents without significant damages or injuries, some insurance companies might not require a police report. However, obtaining one is always wise as it provides a formal record of the incident. This could be beneficial in case unexpected issues or claims arise later. Our Roanoke personal injury lawyer can help.

Can a Police Report Help My Car Accident Lawsuit?

Virginia law makes police reports inadmissible in court because they are hearsay. Hearsay is information that a witness heard from someone else but did not personally experience or observe. This includes police officers investigating accidents, who usually do not see collisions occur in real-time.

However, a police report can still play a significant role in a car accident claim. These reports offer a comprehensive overview of the accident, including details about the involved parties, witnesses, and the on-scene officer’s observations. This information can guide your attorney in building a solid case.

Your lawyer can use the report to identify and locate witnesses, understand the accident’s context, and formulate a strategy. A crash report’s details often lead to further investigations, which can uncover evidence that is admissible in court. For instance, if a report indicates a traffic violation by the other party, your attorney can investigate and present this information through direct evidence or testimony.

During pretrial negotiations, the police report can also influence the opposing party’s willingness to settle. Insurance companies and defendants often consider the report’s findings when assessing the risk of going to trial. While the report itself might not be admissible in court, the information it contains is valuable in the early stages of legal proceedings and out-of-court negotiations.

Contact a Roanoke, VA Car Accident Lawyer

If you get hurt in a Roanoke car accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to Lichtenstein Law Group PLC. Our experienced team is ready to provide the support and guidance you need. Contact us for your free consultation today, and let us help you on your journey to justice and recovery.