For those who are involved in a car accident in West Virginia, one of the steps you may need to take is to obtain a copy of an accident report. A car accident report provides information about the accident, including where it happened, what occurred, and who was involved. It may be beneficial to have this information if you are hoping to file a claim for losses or to file a lawsuit against those at fault for your accident. Talk to a Charleston car accident attorney at Salango Law today.
Where to Find a Car Accident Report
Knowing where to find a car accident report is all the more important when crashes are so common in West Virginia. According to the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources, “341 West Virginia residents died due to motor vehicle crashes in 2015 representing close to 17% of all injury-related deaths.”
In most communities in West Virginia, the local police department in the city where the accident took place can provide a copy of the police report. This will document all of the details available at the time of the report. Keep in mind that there are several things you can do to get a copy of the report.
- State police: in situations where the West Virginia State Police were involved in the accident or responding to the scene, such as on an interstate, you can call 304-746-2128 to obtain a copy of your car accident report.
- Local police: If the car accident happened in a local town or city, you will need to obtain a copy of the accident report from the community police department in the city where the incident took place.
Some local communities have online portals you can use to access or file a car accident report. This may make the process a bit more streamlined and efficient for you.
What You Need to Get a Copy of a Car Accident Report
The more information you have about the car accident, the easier it will be to find the available car accident report within the police department’s databases. You will need the name of anyone involved, the location of the accident, the date and time of the accident, and any other details about what occurred in the case.
Once you obtain a copy of your car accident report, contact a Charleston personal injury lawyer to help you file a lawsuit and get the compensation you deserve.
Why You Need a Copy of Your Accident Report
It is not always necessary to obtain a copy of your car accident report in West Virginia. If you have serious losses and expect to recover damages in a lawsuit, or you need to file a claim with your insurance company for your losses, it may be wise to seek out a copy of your report.
Keep in mind that in most situations, the car accident report is only one component of documentation for the accident. Your attorney will use it as a starting point for collecting information about the case. They will then verify all of the information within it and provide clarity on your rights to pursue legal action against a party who caused your accident.
Getting a car accident report in West Virginia may be necessary for the insurance company. However, most insurance companies and others can seek out a copy of the accident report as well. This information is not always something you need to obtain before you contact a car accident attorney to fight for your case. Call Salango Law to schedule a free consultation with a West Virginia car accident lawyer today.