Once you’ve been in a tragic car accident, you will want to obtain the police report for your personal records to use as proof for a settlement claim. Police reports are beneficial because they contain an unbiased review of the events that happened in a car accident, who was involved, and if anyone received citations. The police officer may also note if someone was injured, whether there was drug or alcohol abuse, and the input of any witnesses. These reports are useful for building your case when filing for a settlement, or if the other party decides to blame you for the car accident. Here are instructions on how to get a police report for your recent car accident:
Speak With a Lawyer
According to Agruss Law Firm – Car Accident Lawyers, if you’ve been in a bad accident and are ready to obtain your police report, you should speak with lawyers who can guide you through the process. To get an unredacted version of your police report, you will need the help of an attorney so that they can file a subpoena on your behalf. The redacted version of a report is censored, while the unredacted version is completely unedited. You will need the unredacted version when filing for a settlement claim so that all parties can see the full details of your car accident. Your attorney can use your police report as evidence to support your claim for fair compensation.
Online Download
For your convenience, you can obtain your police crash report online. They are typically available immediately once the report has been completed and submitted by the police officer. You must first request your crash report via email. After you request your copy, you receive a link that allows you to access the payment form. Once you’ve supplied a sufficient electronic payment, you will be automatically emailed a copy of your police report. For an unredacted copy of your police report, you must send a court order signed by the judge or a subpoena in addition to your email request.
In-Person Request
You can obtain a report by visiting in person and requesting a report directly from the police department. You can visit any of the local police departments during business days and weekends during their office hours. It is recommended that you call ahead of time to ensure that a trooper is present before you arrive. You can also go to the ISP District Chicago to file a crash report at any time.
Mail Reque
You can request your police report by mail as well. This is for both the redacted and un-redacted copy, although you will need a subpoena or court order signed by the judge for an unredacted crash report. You have to make a written request that includes the date and location of the crash and the agency crash report number found in your Driver’s Information Exchange document. You will also want the names of all parties involved, including the passengers. Your request must include a check or money order payable to the Illinois State Police. The mail request must be sent to this address:
Illinois State Police Patrol Records Unit 801 South 7th Street, Suite 600-M Springfield, Illinois 62703
