How Police Reports are used Car Accident Cases
One of the most critical papers you have access to is an accident report following a traffic accident. In Colorado Springs, there are two types of reports that may be submitted. When they arrive on the scene, the one submitted by law enforcement is known as a CR-3, while the other is known as a CR-2 and may be filed by anybody involved in the accident (or blue report).
DO I NEED TO FILE AN ACCIDENT REPORT IN COLORADO SPRINGS?
According to Senate Bill 312 of the Colorado Legislature, the Colorado Department of Transportation no longer keeps Driver’s Crash Reports. This isn’t to say that a report shouldn’t be submitted. At the very least, submitting a CR-2 permits you to have a record of the accident from your perspective.
Even if the severity of injuries is not immediately apparent after an accident, it is critical to document the level of damage. Victims of whiplash or internal injuries, for example, maybe completely unaware of their ailments. Furthermore, what seems to be minor damage to a car at the scene of an accident may end up costing substantially more than you anticipated.
Remember that what seems to be a simple fender bender might result in thousands of dollars in property damage or medical costs in the weeks after the collision. Don’t put off taking action for too long.
THE CR-3 ACCIDENT REPORT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
When an accident causes property damage of more than $1,000, a victim is injured, or a victim is killed, police enforcement is obligated to fill out and submit a CR-3. Within ten days after the accident, reports must be submitted. These reports are not public; they are only available to law enforcement or certain parties engaged in the case who request them.
VICTIMS OF CAR ACCIDENTS AND THE CR-2 ACCIDENT REPORT
Accident victims may file a CR-2 accident report. Some victims are unsure whether or not to submit a CR-2 report since it is not needed. Contact a car accident lawyer and explain the specifics of your accident to them. They can provide you with tailored advice on filing an car accident report in Colorado Springs.
When you file a crash report, you may keep track of the following information:
The names and contact information for the drivers involved Information on the driver’s license as well as the license plate The car’s registered owner’s name
Names of insurance companies for all parties involved in the accident
Information on the accident, such as where it happened, when it happened, and when. A narrative describing the events leading up to the accident.
Images of the disaster and its aftermath
As you can see, this information is useful, especially when making an injury claim or pursuing a car accident lawsuit to hold a negligent motorist accountable.
WHO HAS ACCESS TO AN ACCIDENT REPORT IN COLORADO SPRINGS?
According to Colorado law, only certain people are allowed to see accident reports that have been submitted.
The following are some of the interested parties that may pay the price to view the reports: Anyone who was engaged in the collision
Anyone involved in the accident’s employment Anyone involved’s parent or legal guardian The owners of the affected cars
Any other person who is liable for the car’s financial obligations (e.g., insurance holder)
The insurance carrier covers any motorist or passenger involved in the collision. The insurance company that insures the cars involved in the accident.
Properly licensed television and radio station owners
Any person who has the legal right to sue for wrongful death due to the accident. All government agencies, whether local, state, or federal
Law enforcement officers’ accident records are accessible for ten years from the date of the accident. The CR-2s are not kept.
IDENTIFYING COMMON CRASH REPORTING ERRORS
Anyone who has been involved in an car accident in Colorado Springs should seek a copy of the police accident report. This is done using form CR-91, and it may be necessary
for the user to consult CR-3CS to comprehend the report’s codes. Because the reports may be complex, accident victims often request that their car accident attorneys analyze them.
You should check all of the statements made by law enforcement when you seek a copy of the report to guarantee the integrity of the information. Any errors in the report may jeopardize your insurance claim. Insurance companies will hunt for methods to reduce your claim’s value, and a mistake in the Colorado Springs accident report might provide them with the ammo they want.
Your injury lawyer is looking out for your best interests. If you discover an error in the accident report, they can assist you in correcting it and providing an accurate narrative regarding the accident.
Another thing to bear in mind is this. Even if a Colorado Springs accident report is correctly completed, the police officer on the scene may have already concluded who was to blame. While the “official” report may indicate that you are at blame, don’t be alarmed—your attorney’s research may unearth evidence indicating otherwise. Witness testimony and accident reconstructions sometimes contradict the officer’s conclusions.
DO I NEED A POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT IN COLORADO SPRINGS TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM?
The answer is simple: no. However, the more complicated answer is that an accident report may be useful when making an insurance claim. Simply defined, the accident report contains information that aids in analyzing the accident. This makes submitting your claim simpler, which is why the report’s accuracy is critical.
You should acquire a copy of your accident report as soon as possible. While the report is not required to submit a claim, it is always a good idea to have the report’s contents on hand before filing. Speak with your attorney about your insurance claim and get their advice on whether you should wait for the official Colorado Springs police department report or file an insurance claim using your report.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY ACCIDENT REPORT TO BE ENTERED INTO THE SYSTEM?
Law enforcement officials must file accident reports within ten days after the accident. It might take up to four extra business days for the report to be accessible in the system in certain situations. It may take several days after you have paid the required fees and requested a copy of the report for the report to be made available to you. Keep an eye on your email—once you’ve received access to the report, you’ll only have a few days to download it before it’s no longer available.
SHOULD I SEE AN ATTORNEY BEFORE WAITING FOR THE ACCIDENT REPORT?
No. If you’ve visited a doctor and know the extent of your injuries, you should consult with an attorney. In fact, before speaking with your insurance company, you should call an expert car accident attorney in Colorado Springs.
While this may seem excessive, there are a few things you should be aware of when working with insurance firms and adjusters:
MULTIPLE CLAIM ADJUSTERS
You will almost certainly have to deal with at least two claim adjusters. Your medical costs, for example, will be handled by a single adjuster. The other will just deal with your car damage claim. Both adjusters will be seeking information in different ways.
AVOID RECORDED STATEMENTS
It’s a frequent approach for an insurance firm to inform you that recording your statement is a routine procedure. It’s not just not a typical practice or a legal need, but it’s also a clever way for insurance to reduce claims. To get precise information, well- trained adjusters will ask you specific questions during a recorded statement. This data will be used to reduce the size of your claim. Don’t be fooled!
EXAMINE REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION RELEASE
The adjuster in charge of your medical bills claim will most likely want you to sign a release giving them access to your medical records. You should carefully examine this request; it may not be what it seems to be on the surface. While the insurance company has a right to view your medical records to address the injuries you sustained in an accident, their form will request significantly more information. This determines whether you have any injuries before the Colorado Springs car accident. Your accident injuries will be dismissed as pre-existing conditions.
These are just a few of the reasons why consulting with a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer before filing an insurance claim might be beneficial. A lawyer can help you through the claims procedure and ensure you don’t provide the insurance company any information that might lead to the insurer decreasing the amount of your claim.
PROVIDING COMPENSATION FOR YOUR INJURIES
Serious injuries are common in car accidents. In addition to the physical damage you’ve sustained, your family’s finances have been injured. We think you and your family should not be forced to carry the financial burden of an accident that was not your fault. This covers the cost of restoring your car, as well as the earnings you will miss while you are out of work recovering. Following a car accident, an attorney with expertise managing car accident cases can assist you in maintaining financial stability.
An car accident claim may assist you in recovering financial compensation for damages such as the following:
MEDICAL EXPENDITURES
We appreciate having health insurance that will cover part of your costs. You should not have to pay for these charges out of pocket if you have not met your yearly deductible, if you need services that are not covered, or if you need to buy prescription prescriptions that are not covered. The individual who caused the accident should be held financially accountable.
REHABILITATION EXPENDITURES
Serious injuries, such as fractured bones, nerve or tendon damage, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), sometimes need rehabilitation treatments. These treatments may temporarily help you restore strength, but you may need vocational rehabilitation therapy in other circumstances. It’s conceivable that your injuries will prevent you from returning to your previous job. Your insurance may or may not cover these rehabilitation fees.
LOSS OF INCOME AND BENEFITS
While you may be receiving disability compensation while you recuperate, these amounts are often smaller than your full-time earnings. Furthermore, your employer may have forced you to spend sick time, vacation time, or personal time that you had planned to use in the future. Because these losses are not your responsibility, they should be compensated.
These are just a few of the compensation options available to you if you hire a lawyer. If the at-fault driver’s insurance policy is inadequate to pay you for your losses, you must negotiate with the insurance company for a more equitable settlement. Because insurers have an army of attorneys on their side, having your lawyer negotiating on your behalf is always a smart idea. Always keep in mind that the insurance company is not on your side. Regardless matter what they say, their initial offer is seldom if ever, the greatest offer they will make.
MYTHS ABOUT WORKING WITH A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER IN COLORADO SPRINGS
Some of the fears we hear about hiring an attorney after a car accident are simply unfounded. Here are some of the most prevalent worries and concerns expressed by apprehensive clients:
ATTORNEYS LENGTHEN CASES
This is not true. Almost every lawyer understands that the sooner a lawsuit is resolved, the better for their client. They must adhere to certain deadlines, and your attorney will work tirelessly to meet them.
ATTORNEYS ARE TOO COSTLY
You may believe you can’t afford an attorney, but you’re mistaken. In reality, most car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not be responsible for any legal expenses unless they successfully obtain a settlement on your behalf.
ATTORNEYS HAVE COMPLETE INFLUENCE OVER THE SETTLEMENT
This is also untrue. You must ultimately approve any settlement they negotiate on your behalf. Your lawyer will notify you of the settlement details and provide you with their best recommendations. The choice to accept or reject a settlement offer, on the other hand, is entirely yours.
A Colorado Springs accident report will be filed if you are involved in an accident, and law enforcement is contacted. While the report is not necessary to submit an insurance claim or an accident and injury lawsuit, you must ensure that the information included in it is correct. If you’ve been in a car accident, consult with a Colorado Springs car accident lawyer to learn more about your rights and alternatives.
