How to Get a Police Report After a Nashville Accident

One of the most common pieces of advice a person receives about what to do after a car accident is to file a police report. This document provides information about what took place, who was involved, and potentially, who was at fault. If police do not file a report at the scene, you can follow up with them to request that they take a report.

Then what? You can get a police report after your Nashville car accident with just a few steps, but knowing what to do with it and why you need it (or why you might not) is another story. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we can help you handle your car accident case, from police reports to securing compensation for your injuries. If you are considering filing an accident claim, contact us for a free consultation. With offices available in Nashville, East Nashville, Hendersonville, Clarksville, and Murfreesboro, it only takes a few minutes to get the help you need from our team, no matter where you are in the city.

Steps to getting a copy of your police report in Nashville

Getting a police report after your Nashville accident is not a highly complex process. Here are a few quick ways to track down a copy of this report for your records.

• The Department of Safety & Homeland Security for Tennessee offers online access to car accident reports. It takes just a few minutes to find the document on this site. Accessing your crash report will cost you $10.
• Visit the Tennessee Highway Patrol or county sheriff’s office to get a copy of the report as long as the Tennessee Highway Patrol carried out the investigation. If another agency, like a city police department, was involved, you can go to the relevant office to request a copy. You will need the date of the crash, county information, the drivers’ names, and the agency tracking number. You can find a list of office addresses on the TDOT website.
• Another option is to request a copy of the police report through the mail. It takes longer, sometimes as long as three weeks, to hear back. You will need to send $4 in a cashier’s check, money order, or personal or business check to the Financial Responsibilities Division, PO Box 945, Nashville, TN 37202-0945.

As long as you can use the online option, this process should only take a few minutes. In any case, requesting a copy of the report is a fairly straightforward process. Even if getting a report is simple and not particularly expensive, you may not need one.

Do you need a police report?

There are some possible benefits to obtaining a police report. It can provide a formal document containing information about what the police reported, who they considered at fault, the names of the people involved, and other information about witnesses and the officers who arrived at the scene.

If you plan to meet with a car accident attorney, bringing the police report can help make your initial consultation a little easier. Bringing and sharing this document may answer some basic questions surrounding the incident. However, our team can also pull this report up for you, which only takes a few minutes.

Your insurance provider may also want a copy of the police report. If you are filing an insurance claim, the company may ask you about the report, and some may want you to share a copy with them. However, having this document is not always necessary to move your claim forward. Your attorney can help you with this process and discuss whether you need to seek a copy.

What information does the police report contain?

A police report contains a great deal of valuable information that can become handy when it comes to filing a personal injury claim. It is up to you to ensure the information you provide for it is up to date. Let your car accident attorney know if you notice anything that needs to be corrected. If it is possible, we will work to correct the errors. If not, there may be ways to argue against any errors capable of impacting your claim.

Some of the important information on a police report may include:

• The names and birthdates of all people involved in the accident, including all drivers and passengers
• Details on when and where the collision happened
• A detailed description of all vehicles involved
• The license plate numbers and insurance information of each party involved
• Witness information, including statements, contact information, and identifying information
• An explanation of what happened (based on the police’s evidence gathering)
• Pictures of the incident and collision
• A diagram of the accident

Police reports are just that – a report created by the police to document basic information about the incident. Keeping that in mind, you need to realize the information likely comes from all parties. What you tell the police could differ from what the other party claims took place. The police at the scene may make a decision on fault based on this information, but that decision might not always be correct. Their impression of the accident can directly impact your ability to file a claim and recover damages. Because of this, it might be worth getting a copy of your police report for the accident. Letting your attorney have access to the report can help them get ahead of any claims that might be harmful to your case.

If you sustained injuries in a car accident, turn to the experienced car accident attorneys at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm for a free consultation. We will provide you with insight into your legal options and offer help obtaining your police report when necessary. Set up a meeting with our legal team at one of our four offices in Nashville, East Nashville, Hendersonville, Clarksville, and Murfreesboro, and let us help you move your case forward. Call our office or submit our contact form today to get started.