What is a Police Report?

Police reports are legal forms that are filled out by law enforcement after an accident. These reports document a police officer’s investigation after an arrest is made or after a motor vehicle collision occurs. In many cases, a police report can be used by a car accident lawyer during settlement negotiations with an insurance company, however, a police report is not admissible in court.

Why a Police Report is Not Admissible in Court 

A police report is a law enforcement officer’s documentation of their accident investigation. Unless a police officer was at the scene of the accident before it occurred and witnessed the events firsthand, the report is considered the police officer’s opinion regarding what occurred, based on their investigation. Because of this, a police report is considered hearsay.

Hearsay evidence is not admissible in court. Under the hearsay rule, out-of-court documents or statements cannot be submitted as evidence to prove a case. Because of this, a police report has very limited uses. Despite not being able to use a police report as evidence, the police officer who responded to the scene of the accident can still testify in court — and an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer knows exactly how to leverage that testimony alongside other admissible evidence to build a compelling case on your behalf.

Additionally, any statements that were made by the opposing party in the report can be submitted as evidence under one of three exceptions to the hearsay rule:

• There was a prior inconsistent statement
• A statement against interest
• An admission by a party opponent

What is the Fastest Way to Obtain a Police Report in California?

The fastest way to get a copy of your police report is by hiring a car accident lawyer. When you hire a car accident lawyer, they can handle every aspect of your accident claim, including obtaining a copy of your police report. Your attorney will know how to obtain a copy of your police report through the most efficient channels, depending on which law enforcement agency prepared the report. Some law enforcement agencies will make their reports available online through certain providers, while others will require a report to be ordered and picked up in person.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Copy Of a Police Report?

How long it takes to obtain a copy of a police report depends on a few factors, such as:

• Which law enforcement agency created the report
• Whether there is an ongoing criminal investigation
• Whether there was a fatality or catastrophic injury involved

In some cases, it can be a matter of days or weeks before you’re able to obtain a copy, and in others, it can take months.

Contact Us Today 

If you were involved in an auto accident, contact a car accident lawyer at MVP Accident Attorneys as soon as possible to schedule a free legal consultation. When you hire a car accident lawyer on our legal team, they can handle every aspect of your claim, including helping you obtain a copy of your police report, as soon as possible. To learn more about how a car accident lawyer at MVP Accident Attorneys can help, contact us today.