Police report?

Question

I was in a car accident two months ago and plan on going to court to get this case resloved, since to other person driving the vehicle's insurance agency said that i was only 50% right. So, my agent recommended me to go to a small claims court. However, to do so, i would need the police report. Well, my questions is, i have a copy of a "Traffic Collision Report" and i dont know if that is the police report or do i need to go get one at the police station? I asked my nearest police station and a lady said that it was the police report, but my insurance agent said that it was not? Who is correct?

Answer 1

The police report required in small claims court will have all the information of drivers, vehicles etc. and a diagram showing the position of the vehicles.

You say that you have a Traffic Collision Report, was this supplied to you at the scene of the accident by the officer? Does it have information I have suggested?

Normally the officer will release you from the accident scene prior to writing the report. And truthful I never heard of an officer giving a completed accident report to the drivers at the scene.

Answer 2

In most states an officer responding to a traffic collision is only required to complete an accident or Traffic Collision Report. Some states may require an additional report, but I know of none. If you have a copy of the collision report, then you probably have the only report available. However, any additional report(s) that was completed should be available at the agency of the reporting officer.

Answer 3

Make sure you have the complete report, not just the other driver's information (some officer's put that on a form for you at the scene).

The complete crash report should be at least a couple of pages and will probably have a diagram of the crash.
In Ohio it is a minimum of 3 pages.

If you do not have the complete report you should be able to get it by making a public records request at the agency that made the report. If the agency's office is not close to where you live most let you mail them a letter asking for it (and include a self addressed stamped envelope). If you are going to try that I would call to find out what they need first.

good luck