{"id":352958,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:31","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/obtaining-and-using-a-police-report.html"},"modified":"2025-10-20T12:01:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T17:01:46","slug":"obtaining-and-using-a-police-report","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/obtaining-and-using-a-police-report.html","title":{"rendered":"Obtaining and Using a Police Report for Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Obtaining and Using a Police Report for Injuries<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Ty McDuffey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A police report is an important document in a personal injury claim. It can help substantiate details about your accident or injury. The facts in a police report may help you prove the other person’s liability.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

You may have been involved in a motor vehicle accident or another incident. If a law enforcement officer responded, a police report was probably created. You are entitled to receive a copy of the police report. It is a good idea to contact the responding law enforcement agency as soon as possible after the auto accident.<\/p>\n

This article discusses how and why you should get your police report. You can also contact a personal injury lawyer<\/a> to represent you and advocate for your recovery. They can help you with the paperwork and process of filing your injury claim.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What’s in the Police Report?<\/h2>\n

The official report provides a detailed record of the accident or incident from a neutral third-party perspective, making it a reliable source of information.<\/p>\n

Some of the details a police report captures include:<\/p>\n