The first thing you should do after being involved in a car accident is call 911. A 911 operator can send police out to the accident scene to investigate your crash and create a police report. From there, it’s up to you to figure out how to secure a police report for a car accident case.
The good news is that tracking down a Virginia police report shouldn’t present any problems. However, you will need to follow the proper police report procedure to procure it. You’ll also need to act fast to find a car accident report before you begin taking legal action against the at-fault party in your car crash case.
Check out our guide on how to secure a police report for a car accident that took place in Virginia below.
Locating a Police Report Through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
The easiest way to secure a police report in Virginia is by requesting it directly through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The Virginia police department that responded to your car accident must submit a copy of the police report they put together to the Virginia DMV within 24 hours of finishing it.
If you wish to acquire a police report in this way, you’ll need to fill out a police report request form. It’ll ask for information like:
- Your full name and driver’s license number
- The part you played in a car accident (a driver, a passenger, a pedestrian, etc.)
- The date and time of a car accident along with its location
You can bring this completed form to any Virginia DMV location. You can also fax it to (804) 367-0390 or mail it to this address:
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Custom Records Work Center, Room 514
P.O. Box 27412
Richmond, VA 23269
You will need to pay $8 for a copy of a police report through the Virginia DMV.
Securing a Police Report Through a Local Police Department in Virginia
Learning how to secure a police report for a car accident in Virginia is simple when you do it through the DMV. But this isn’t the only option you’ll have when you wish to secure a copy of a police report stemming from a Virginia car crash. You can also request a copy through the local police department in Virginia that responded to your accident.
For instance, if your car accident occurred in Richmond, VA, the Richmond Police Department has a straightforward process for retrieving copies of their police reports. Visit the City of Richmond website and head to the Records Section. It’ll lead you to the LexisNexis BuyCrash online software you can use to request copies from this police department and others like it.
What Makes a Police Report Important in a Car Accident Case?
A police report is important in a car accident case in Virginia for many reasons. It’s often used to help determine who is liable for a car crash occurring.
A police report from a car accident can also shed light on how much property damage was done and how many people were injured during a crash. It’s one of the many pieces of evidence that a car accident lawyer can use to create a compelling case on your behalf.
Let Us Show You How To Secure a Police Report for a Car Accident in Virginia
Still confused when it comes to how to secure a police report for a car accident in Virginia? Geoff McDonald & Associates can lend a hand and make requesting a police report easier and guide you through the claims process. Call us at 804-888-8888 or contact us online to speak with a car accident attorney.