How to Get an Online Traffic Crash Report and How a Lawyer Can Help

In the aftermath of a traffic accident, getting a crash report is one of the most important steps you can take. 

Whether you need it for insurance claims, legal proceedings, or personal records, a traffic crash report can provide a detailed account of the incident, including critical information about the drivers involved, the vehicles, the time and location, and witness statements. 

What Is a Traffic Crash Report?

A traffic crash report is an official document created by law enforcement officers who respond to the scene of an accident. It typically includes:

• Details of the accident: Date, time, and location.
• Parties involved: Names, contact information, and insurance details of the drivers.
• Vehicle information: Make, model, and license plate numbers.
• Witness accounts: Statements from individuals who saw the accident.
• Officer’s observations: Notes about road conditions, weather, and any apparent violations or contributing factors.
• Diagram of the accident: A visual representation of how the crash occurred.

This report serves as a key piece of evidence when filing insurance claims, pursuing legal action, or defending yourself against allegations of fault.

Why You Might Need a Traffic Crash Report

There can be numerous reason to obtain a traffic crash report, including: 

• Insurance Claims: Insurance companies often require a copy of the crash report to process claims and determine fault.
• Legal Disputes: If liability is contested, the report can be crucial in supporting your case.
• Accurate Record-Keeping: The report provides an objective account of the incident.
• Proof of Fault: It can help prove negligence or wrongdoing in a personal injury case.

How to Get an Online Traffic Crash Report

Determine the Reporting Agency

The first step is identifying which law enforcement agency responded to your accident. This could be a city police department, county sheriff’s office, or state highway patrol.

Visit the Agency’s Website

Most law enforcement agencies have a dedicated section on their website for obtaining crash reports. Look for links labeled “Traffic Reports” or “Crash Reports.”

Use a Third-Party Service

In many cases, agencies partner with third-party services like LexisNexis or BuyCrash to manage online reports. You’ll be redirected to their platforms if applicable.

Provide Required Information

To locate your report, you’ll typically need:

• The date of the accident
• The location of the crash (city, county, or specific address)
• The report number (if known)
• Names of involved parties

Pay Any Associated Fees

Most online crash reports come with a fee, usually ranging from $5 to $20, depending on the agency and platform.

Download the Report

Once your payment is processed, you can download and save the report. Be sure to keep a digital and printed copy for your records.

Contact the Agency if Needed

If you cannot find your report online, contact the law enforcement agency directly for assistance. Delays may occur if the report is still under review.

Common Challenges When Obtaining a Crash Report Online

Getting a traffic crash report can be easier said than done. Common obstacles can include:

• Missing Information: Not having the exact date, location, or report number can make the search difficult.
• System Errors: Online platforms occasionally experience technical glitches.
• Restricted Access: Some reports may not be available online due to privacy concerns or ongoing investigations.
• Incomplete Reports: In some cases, the initial report may lack critical details that require follow-up with the reporting officer.

How a Morgan & Morgan Can Help

While obtaining a crash report is relatively straightforward, it can become more complex depending on the circumstances of your case. Here’s how an experienced attorney at Morgan & Morgan can assist:

Ensuring Accurate Information

Lawyers can review the crash report to ensure it accurately reflects the facts of the incident. If discrepancies exist, they can request corrections or gather additional evidence to challenge inaccuracies.

Obtaining Restricted Reports

Some crash reports may be restricted, especially if minors are involved or if the accident led to serious injuries or fatalities. A lawyer can navigate these restrictions to obtain the necessary documents legally.

Analyzing the Report

Attorneys are trained to interpret the details of a crash report. They can identify critical elements that strengthen your case, such as signs of negligence, traffic violations, or contributing factors.

Gathering Additional Evidence

If the crash report lacks essential details, a lawyer can help gather supplementary evidence, such as:

• Surveillance footage
• Witness statements
• Expert analysis of the crash scene

Building a Strong Case

A crash report is just one piece of the puzzle. An attorney can use the information within the report to build a comprehensive case that maximizes your compensation.

Handling Insurance Companies

Dealing with insurance companies can be stressful. A lawyer can communicate with adjusters, submit your crash report, and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.

Pursuing Legal Action

If the crash report reveals evidence of negligence, an attorney can file a lawsuit to seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

What to Look for in a Lawyer

Not all lawyers are created equal. When seeking legal assistance for your traffic accident case, consider the following:

• Experience in Personal Injury Law: Choose a lawyer who specializes in car accidents and personal injury claims.
• Proven Track Record: Look for attorneys with a history of successful settlements and verdicts.
• Clear Communication: Ensure the lawyer is responsive and keeps you informed throughout the process.
• No Upfront Costs: Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case.

Why Choose Morgan & Morgan

At Morgan & Morgan, we have decades of experience helping accident victims secure the justice and compensation they deserve. With over 1,000 attorneys and a proven track record, we have the resources and expertise to handle even the most complex cases. 

Don’t worry about expenses—with Morgan & Morgan, you can start with a free case evaluation, and if we can work together, you won’t pay a dime unless we win. That’s right—the Fee Is Free®, and you only pay if we successfully settle or win at trial.

Obtaining an online traffic crash report is a crucial step in addressing the aftermath of an accident. While the process can be straightforward, complications can arise, especially when dealing with restricted access, inaccuracies, or incomplete information. Partnering with an experienced lawyer can help you navigate these challenges and ensure your rights are protected.

At Morgan & Morgan, we’re committed to fighting for the people, not the powerful. If you’ve been in an accident and need help obtaining your crash report or pursuing a personal injury claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information should law enforcement personnel present in an incident report?

The law enforcement agency responsible for compiling the information presented in an online traffic crash report must include certain information to help both parties file a valid insurance claim. The online traffic crash report should include accurate contact information, such as your name, address, and phone number at the top of the incident report. Also located near the top of the report, a section requires the submission of the date, time, and location of the auto crash. Before you read the details of the car accident, you should see the name of your insurance company and the vehicle registration information of all parties involved in the incident.

One of the key pieces of evidence included in an online traffic crash report is a detailed diagram that displays the movement of each vehicle before, during, and after the vehicle collision. A member of the law enforcement agency’s forensics team creates the diagram, which provides keen insight into not only what caused the car accident, but also which party should assume most, if not all of the blame for the collision. Accompanying the online traffic crash report are photographs of physical evidence, such as debris and the tire tracks made at the time of impact. Photographs of your injuries demonstrate the severity of the symptoms and individual witness accounts provide legal support for the conclusion reached by the law enforcement officers who submitted the online traffic crash report.

At the end of the formal incident report, the officer signing off on the document cites any traffic violations, as well as offers a professional analysis that describes the cause of the incident and whether anyone should assume legal liability for the injuries sustained as a result of the vehicle collision.

What are the advantages of an online traffic crash reporting system?

Before the availability of a system that presents information concerning a car accident online, the parties involved in a vehicle collision had to wait a considerable amount of time to receive a copy of the official incident report. With medical bills quickly mounting and the cost of property damage repairs cleaning out a monthly budget, a victim of a car accident might experience significant financial distress that can lead to filing for bankruptcy. An online traffic crash report allows all parties involved to gain quick access to the pertinent information that forms the basis for developing a certain legal strategy.

An online traffic crash report tends to be more accurate than a printed version of the same legal document. Digital documents do not contain many of the errors found in printed documents, such as illegible handwriting and omissions of data that help a car accident lawyer determine legal liability. Moving incident reports to a digital format also allows all interested parties to access the documents associated with a car accident from the comfort of their homes. 

How do I prove negligence?

For you to file a persuasive civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages, your car accident lawyer must prove the presence of the four elements of negligence.

Duty of Care

The duty of care doctrine requires a party to assume legal responsibility for the well-being of other parties. For example, a healthcare provider assumes a duty of care to protect the health of every patient treated by the healthcare provider. In a car accident case, all parties involved in a collision assume a duty of care every time they get behind the wheel of an automobile to protect the health of other drivers and passengers. This element is the easiest one to prove negligence in regard to a car accident case.

Breaching the Duty of Care Doctrine

Proving that another party breached the duty of care doctrine represents the core element for establishing negligence. Your car accident lawyer must link the physical evidence and witness statements with the commission of at least one act of negligence. For instance, if a motorist ran a red light, which caused a car accident, the motorist has breached the duty of care doctrine by committing the act of negligence called reckless driving. A breach in the duty of care doctrine can be either intentional or unintentional, with an intentional breach in the duty of care doctrine typically resulting in the awarding of punitive damages.

Caused Your Injuries

As the third element of proving negligence for a personal injury incident, causation demonstrates a car accident resulted in you sustaining one or more injuries. For our reckless driving example, the act of running a red light that caused a car accident must have produced one or more injuries. Proving this element of negligence is not as easy as it seems, as the other party’s attorney might try to associate your injuries with another event. Instead of linking your injuries to a car accident caused by reckless driving, the other party’s lawyer might claim you sustained your injuries from another event, such as a recreational sport or a home improvement project.

Suffered Financial Losses

As the fourth element of proving negligence, showing the judge that you suffered financial losses requires you to submit copies of medical bills and the receipts generated from repairing property damage. The copies of medical bills and property damage receipts should be properly dated to demonstrate you suffered financial losses around the same time you got involved in a motor vehicle collision. If you cannot prove the fourth element of negligence, the judge hearing your case will deny your request for monetary damages.

Proving negligence and navigating the legal complexities of a case can be challenging, but Morgan & Morgan is here to help you fight for justice. Contact us today for free to learn more about your legal options.