After a car crash in Jackson, focus on getting medical care and reporting the incident to the police. Over the coming days, you may need to acquire a police report about the car crash. If you completed a police report at the time of the accident, you can get a copy of that by visiting the local offices. If you have yet to submit a police report about your accident, head to the local police station to do so. Speak with a Jackson motor vehicle collision lawyer from Hearn Law Firm today.
Where to Find Crash Reports in Jackson, Mississippi
The simplest way to get a copy of your police report from a Jackson car crash is to turn to the Department of Public Safety. You can visit their crash report website and purchase a crash report directly. Doing so means you will have to state that you are authorized to obtain this information.
Once you pay the fee, it will be emailed to you. The crash report is only available from that point for 24 hours. If you do not save a copy to your hard drive or download it to your phone, you will have to obtain another copy for an additional fee.
Local Police Stations Can Help
In most cases, your accident report from the Jackson Police Department will be available within 7 to 10 business days after the incident was reported. Often, it is available before that. To request a copy from the police department, use the CrashDocs website. You can also visit the local police department in the jurisdiction where the incident took place. They can provide you with a copy of the police report at that time, once it is available. It is beneficial to call the police department in advance of a visit to ensure the report is available.
To seek a police report, you will need to provide as much information about the incident as possible. This typically includes:
- The date and time of the incident
- The location of the incident
- The full name of the person involved, which is generally your name
If you are unsure about the availability of an accident report or which area to contact, contact the local police department to investigate. The agency does not fax or email copies of police reports directly. You will need to visit the location to pick it up or have it mailed to you.
Do You Need a Police Report
In some situations, obtaining a copy of your police report can be critical. It allows you to review what the responding officer concluded about the accident and where fault is being placed. If you see any information within that report that is inaccurate or there is evidence missing, contact the police officer who created the report immediately. However, do not be accusatory. The officer is under no obligation to make changes to the police report unless they agree to the oversight or added evidence.
Seek the Help of an Attorney
It is also important to contact a Jackson car crash lawyer at Hearn Law Firm for immediate help. Your attorney can pull copies of the police report on your behalf. They can also provide you with the resources to dispute what is on the report or add other vital details that may not have been originally provided. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.