Introduction
Car accident can be traumatizing, and a police report is usually needed to pursue a personal injury case. Nonetheless, there are situations when police may choose not to give out these reports, leaving victims and their attorneys to fend for themselves. This article details the process of acquiring police reports in the US, especially Pennsylvania, and also explains the role of medical records review services in assisting attorneys during this process.
Recognizing the Significance of Police Reports
- Proof in Legal Cases: With regard to personal injury claims, police reports play an essential part in evaluation since they contain information related to the accident, its participants, and any blame that could be allocated.
- Parts of a Police Report: Usually includes:
- The time, place and the situation of the car accident
- Statements from the people who saw the accident
- What the police officer noted
- Maps of the accident
- Insurance Multiplication: Police reports are crucial documents in the business for use in evaluating responsibility and payment.
Common Reasons For Not Giving Police Reports for Car Accident
- Reports Not Complete: Officers may choose to withhold reports that are incomplete or if the case is still under active investigation.
- Privacy Issues: There are some cases that a particular piece of information may be edited out in order to maintain the confidentiality of the concerned parties.
- Admin Errors: In some cases, reports may be late due to some administrative work being done within the office of the police department.
How to Get a Police Report for Car Accident
- On the Scene Requests: If you can, attempt to coordinate with the assigned officer in order to have a copy of the report at or near the scene of the accident.
- Other Requests: In case the report is not on hand, sustain your approach with the police section:
- Info about the Case: Get the name, email address and phone number of the officer or division dealing with the case
- Report Request: Submit all the paperwork that is required in order to petition for the report.
- Costs and Duration: Be ready to pay a certain sum of money which is about 22 US dollars in the state of Pennsylvania and also be patient as the report might take days or weeks to complete.
What Happens When Your Request Gets Denied
- Make a Right-to-know Law request: In case of your request being denied, then according to Pennsylvania’s law allow you submit a public document appeal under the right to know law request.
- Appeal the denial: In the event that the request remains denied, you are free to challenge that decision through the office of open records.
- Consult an Attorney: A personal injury attorney will get you the required report and assist you with appeal filings.
The Role of Medical Records Review in Car Accident Cases
- Importance of Medical Records: Injuries related to car accidents require adequate medical record documentation for validation.
- How Medical Records Review Services Help:
- Thorough Analysis: Review services conduct detailed examination of the provided medical records and extract pertinent information.
- Streamlining Evidence Gathering: They improve the organization and presentation of medical evidence prepared by the lawyers.
- Enhancing Case Value: Medical documentations have a fundamental impact on the claim’s settlement amount made in favor of the victims.
Case Studies
Case Study 1:
Overview of the Case
• Incident: A vehicle was hit from behind at a busy intersection.
Challenging: The police report had a hold on it due to an investigation, which challenged the victim’s insurance claim.
Solutions
• Persistent Follow-Up: The victim’s attorney kept contacting the police department and submitted a Right-To-Know request.
• Medical Records Review: The attorney issued an injury’s medical records review for evidentiary compilation.
Compensation
• Upon report receipt, the victim was compensated for medical costs and lost wages.
Case Study 2:
Overview of the Case
• Incident: Involvement of a cyclist in an accident at a crosswalk with a motor vehicle took place.
Challenges: The police report was not provided because of the cyclist’s medical history privacy concerns.
Solutions
• Legal Approach: The lawyer submitted a Right To Know request to get access to the police report.
• Medical Records Review: The lawyer worked with and outsourced the gathering of medical records to the nurse’s office that substantiated the cyclist’s claim.
Compensation
• After the report was released, the medical evidence strengthened the case, and the cyclist was compensated for the pain endured, medical expenses, and the income that had been forgone.
Conclusion
It is not an easy task to get a police report after a car accident. For a report that is withheld, failing to understand the importance of procedures can make the process challenging. Personal injury cases benefit greatly from the supporting documents obtained by the medical record review services. These courts help attorneys as they conduct in-depth reviews of medical records to build stronger cases.
