Without a doubt, police reports are essential to the success of accident claims, including car accidents, truck accidents, delivery vehicle accidents, bike accidents, pedestrian accidents, etc. If there are any mistakes in the police report, there can be issues with the accident claim later down the line. After all, it could become difficult to prove that you suffered injuries in the accident if there is no mention of the injuries in the initial police report.
If your police report is incorrect, you might be interested in finding out how to correct a police report. Luckily, it is possible to correct your police report, although some errors might be easier to correct than others. For more information about how to fix an incorrect police report, do not hesitate to contact the experts at our law firm as soon as possible.
Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our injury lawyers can help you – even with correcting a police report. Depending on the type of correction that you are interested in making, you might need to present extensive evidence. Here at our law firm, our lawyers are ready to provide you with all the guidance that you need get your police report corrected. Of course, we can also help you with the rest of the legal process.
Why are there mistakes on my police report?
Without a doubt, we trust that police officers make correct reports after accidents. However, it is important to understand that police officers can also make mistakes like other people. Because of this, it is important to review the unofficial report; if you see any mistakes, you should reach out as soon as possible to get them corrected. What if you didn’t realize the mistakes until after the police report was finalized? Even if the police report has been finalized, it can still be amended.
Types of Mistakes on Police Reports
Some of the different mistakes that can be found on police reports include the following:
- Factual mistakes – these consist of objective details, including details about the vehicle (make, model, color), the location of the crash, the date of the crash, details about insurance coverage, license numbers, and even your name and birthdate, for example.
- Transcription mistakes – these consists of mistakes that are made while the officer is transcribing notes made during the initial report. Officers typically take notes at the scene so that they can finalize the report hours or even days later. If their notes are wrong or even just messy and illegible, then the final police report will also be incorrect. A common transcription mistake includes the speed being traveled at the time of the incident, for example.
- Omission mistakes – although these are not actually errors in the reports, omitted information still results in inaccurate reports. These can be both factual and subjective statements about the speed being traveled or even any pain/soreness felt after the incident.
Addressing these Errors
Fortunately, these errors can be addressed and corrected. The easiest errors to address are the factual errors – you simply need to reach out to the officer and present supporting evidence. For example, if your name is wrong on the report, then you would present an identification. Errors can be more difficult to address if they are transcription or omission errors. Regardless, you can still reach out to the officer and communicate your concerns. In some cases, speaking to an officer about an incident can refresh their memory and result in a correction. Of course, this isn’t always possible. Still, you can request that your version of events is included in the report (i.e., that you claim that the accident occurred at a different speed, that the other driver was distracted, etc.).
Can errors be corrected even if the police report has been finalized? Yes – although it is easier to correct a police report before it has been finalized, it is still possible to correct a police report even after it is final. Incorrect police reports can be amended to include the correct and updated information.
In cases where the police department asks you for substantial evidence to make the change, you might benefit from legal assistance. An experienced lawyer can help you gather the necessary evidence (whether it be surveillance videos, photographs, etc.) to ensure that the change is processed appropriately. If you are in need of legal help, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance with the experts at our law firm immediately.
What if I don’t agree with something that is not a fact?
Police reports are more than just facts. When the officer arrives on the scene, he or she will of course take note of all the facts. However, the officer will also collect statements from all the parties involved as well as from witnesses. Finally, the officer will note his or her own opinion regarding the incident (i.e., how the incident happened, whether any laws were broken, etc.). Of course, you cannot expect to be able to change any of these statements just because you do not agree with them. What can you do? You can reach out to the officer and ask that your version of events is included in the report. Although trying to contest a police accident report will likely not remove said statement from the report entirely, it could definitely result in your own statement being included.
Can these statements be used against me? Yes – anything in the police report can be used against you, including witness statements and conclusions made by the reporting officer. However, with the appropriate legal representation, you could fight said statement whether it’s during the insurance process or during the court process. For more information about how you can dispute a police accident report, do not hesitate to contact the experts at our law firm immediately.
In Summary – You Can Change a Police Report
If there were in mistakes with your police report, you could definitely reach out to correct these mistakes. Although you could definitely manage to make these changes on your own, some mistakes could prove to be difficult to change on your own, as they might require extensive supporting evidence. In some cases, you might not be able to change certain things, like witness statements, for instance. Still, you could ask that your own statement be included in the report. It is also important to remember that your police report can be changed even if the police report has already been finalized. In addition, you should consider seeking legal help as soon as possible.
Contact Normandie Law Firm Today
Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our lawyers are ready to guide you every step of the way. We have decades of experience handling all sorts of claims and fighting for the rights of our clients. We are not afraid to take on the police department to ensure that your police report is changed to reflect the necessary corrections. In addition, we can also help you fight against the insurance company even if they are trying to use any mistakes on your police report against you.
We offer free legal services, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our expert attorneys will be available to answer all your questions and address all of concerns. Whether you are interested in starting the legal process or continuing it after starting it elsewhere (if you are unhappy with your current legal representation), our experts can help you. To benefit from these free legal services, contact us immediately.
Our Zero-Fee guarantee ensure that our clients will not have to pay upfront legal costs. In addition, we work on contingency, so our clients will not be required to pay legal costs unless they win their claims. If you are ready to speak to our auto accident lawyers and learn more about how to change an incorrect police report, do not hesitate to contact the experts at our law firm immediately.
