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The days and weeks following a traffic accident can be chaotic. However, at some point, you need to obtain a copy of your car accident report. The accident report contains information that is useful in filing an insurance claim. If you have hired a New Jersey car accident attorney, your lawyer orders a copy of the report on your behalf. However, if you have not hired an attorney yet, you need to request a copy of the accident report for your records.
How Do I Get a Copy of My New Jersey Car Accident Report?
There are three primary sources for crash reports in New Jersey.
Accidents on the Atlantic City Expressway
If your car accident occurred on the Atlantic City Expressway, you need to request a copy of the accident report from the Atlantic City Expressway Authority. Most reports are available online. You can review the report and obtain a secure copy of the crash report for a fee.
State Police Accident Reports
Accident reports for crashes that occurred on non-toll roads, the New Jersey Turnpike, or the Garden State Parkway can be ordered online through the New Jersey State Police crash report portal. If the crash report involves serious or fatal accidents, the records request must be submitted by an attorney’s office with a Court Order to release the records.
City and County Car Accident Reports
If a city or county police department investigated your car accident, you must contact the police department to obtain a copy of the car accident report. Some agencies in New Jersey make their reports available online through BuyCrash.com. Otherwise, you should contact the police department directly or check the agency’s website to determine how to request a copy of a car accident report.
What Happens if the Car Accident Report is Incorrect?
If factual information is incorrect, you should notify the police officer who filed the report. In many cases, incorrect factual information can be corrected by the officer. Factual information includes, but is not limited to, the date or location of the accident or the names of the drivers.
However, if you disagree with the police officer’s determination of how the accident occurred or the police officer’s determination of fault, the officer is not likely to change the report. You should contact a car accident lawyer immediately to discuss your legal rights.
Filing an Insurance Claim for Damages
If another driver caused your car accident, you might be entitled to compensation from the driver or the driver’s insurance company. In most cases, the first step in recovering compensation for a car accident is filing an insurance claim. However, filing an insurance claim may not always be straightforward. The insurance company may deny your claim, or it may undervalue your claim.
Steps that can help you recover fair compensation for a car accident claim include:
- Call 911 to report the accident and stay at the accident scene.
- Do not apologize for the accident or admit fault.
- Always seek medical attention as soon as possible. Delays in medical care can hurt your injury claim.
- If possible, take pictures of the vehicles and the crash site.
- Do not agree to provide a statement to the insurance company or sign documents without talking to a lawyer.
- As soon as possible, contact a car accident attorney near you to discuss your case.
Get Help From an Experienced New Jersey Car Accident Attorney
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an attorney. Our New Jersey car accident attorney assists car accident victims as they seek compensation for medical bills, loss of income, pain, and suffering.