To get a police report for a car accident in Virginia, contact the law enforcement agency that investigated the crash or request a copy through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
If you were injured in a car accident, the police report may help you establish what happened and aid your pursuit of compensation. A Fairfax car accident lawyer from BenGlassLaw can help you obtain the report and build a strong claim.
How Do You Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Virginia?
You can obtain a police report for a car accident in Virginia from the law enforcement agency that responded to the crash or through the Virginia DMV.
To request a copy, you must:
- Identify the investigating agency: Determine whether the Virginia State Police, a local police department, a sheriff’s office, or another law enforcement agency responded to the accident.
- Contact the agency or DMV: Ask the appropriate agency how to obtain the report. Some allow you to request it online, while others require you to do so in person or by mail.
- Complete the request: Provide the required information about your crash and complete any forms the agency requires.
- Pay any applicable fee: Some report requests carry a processing fee. For instance, it costs $8 to request a police crash report from the Virginia DMV.
- Review the report: Once you receive the report, check the names, dates, vehicle details, accident location, and description of the collision for errors or missing information.
If you do not know which agency handled the crash, a car accident attorney from BenGlassLaw can find out.
For a free legal consultation call (703) 591-9829
Who Can Request a Police Report After a Virginia Car Accident?
Only people involved in the crash, their authorized representatives, and insurance companies can request a police report after a Virginia car accident.
Eligible parties include:
- Drivers involved in the crash: Either driver may request a copy of the report.
- Passengers and injured individuals: People injured in the collision may request the report.
- Vehicle and property owners: Owners of vehicles or property involved in the crash may request a copy.
- Attorneys: Lawyers representing people involved in the accident may obtain the report on their clients’ behalf.
- Insurance representatives: Authorized representatives of insurance companies may request reports.
- Personal representatives and guardians: Certain legal representatives, including qualifying guardians and next of kin, may request reports for injured or deceased individuals.
What Information Do You Need to Request a Virginia Police Report?
You need the following information to request a Virginia police report:
- Accident date and time: Provide the exact date and approximate time of the collision.
- Accident location: Include the road, intersection, city, county, or a nearby landmark where the crash occurred.
- Driver information: Provide the names of the other drivers who were involved (if you know them).
- Vehicle details: Include license plate numbers, vehicle makes and models, and other identifying information.
- Police report or incident number: Supply this number if an officer gave it to you at the scene.
- Your contact information: Provide your name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number.
If you do not have a report number, a personal injury lawyer from BenGlassLaw can step in and ask the agency to search its records using the date, location, and names of the people involved.
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How Long Does It Take to Get a Police Report in Virginia?
It takes up to two weeks to receive a Virginia car accident police report, depending on who you request it from, how you request it, and whether the responding officer has completed their investigation.
A report may be available within a few business days after a straightforward accident. However, ongoing investigations, missing information, and administrative backlogs can extend the waiting period. You may also have to wait longer if you request the report by mail instead of doing so online or in person.
If your report is taking an unusually long time to become available, a personal injury attorney from BenGlassLaw can check its status.
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Why Does the Police Report Matter in a Car Accident Claim?
A police report matters in a car accident claim because it documents the circumstances of the collision, identifies the people involved, and preserves observations made by the responding officer. Insurance companies often rely on these reports when assessing liability and deciding whether to approve or deny a claim.
Other ways a crash report can support your claim include:
- Identifying witnesses: Witness contact information recorded in the report can help you locate people who can support your account of the accident.
- Documenting traffic violations: Information about citations or suspected violations may help an insurer determine whether the other driver acted negligently.
- Supporting injury claims: The report may record injuries reported at the scene, statements about pain, or whether emergency responders were called.
- Resolving conflicting accounts: If drivers disagree about what happened, the officer’s observations and recorded statements may help an insurance adjuster determine the truth.
Virginia Car Accident Police Report FAQs
At BenGlassLaw, our Fairfax car accident lawyers know that police reports can be confusing. Here are some answers to common questions we see from clients to help provide some clarity.
How much does a Virginia car accident police report cost?
It costs $8 to request a police crash report from the Virginia DMV. If you choose to acquire the report directly from the local police department or sheriff’s office that responded to the scene, administrative fees generally range from free to $10.
You can request a report by mail, fax, or in person at a DMV customer service center. If you request it by mail, you must send a check or money order payable to the DMV. If you request it by fax, you must include the completed payment authorization form. Lastly, if you request the report in person, you can pay using cash, check, money order, or credit card.
What should you do if the police report contains mistakes?
If your Virginia police report contains mistakes, you should contact the investigating law enforcement agency and request a correction. While officers rarely change their personal opinions about how the crash happened or who is at fault, they may correct inaccurate factual data, such as misspelled names, wrong birthdates, or incorrect license plate numbers.
Make sure to submit official documentation proving a mistake, such as your driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance card, or photos.
If the officer refuses to change a fault determination or disputed account, ask to submit a written statement or addendum with your version of events that can be attached to the official file.
What if the police did not respond to your accident?
If police did not respond to your car accident, you can file a self-report directly with the Virginia DMV by submitting a Voluntary Report of a Crash (Form FR-200). According to Virginia Code § 46.2-373, you are legally required to do so within 24 hours if the crash caused injury, death, or property damage totaling $3,000 or more.
Even if the property damage caused by the accident falls below the mandatory reporting limit, filing a report with the DMV creates a paper trail, which can help protect your rights if the at-fault driver changes their story or turns out to be uninsured.
Get Help from a Fairfax, VA, Car Accident Lawyer
If you still have questions about how to get a police report for a car accident in Virginia, a car accident attorney from BenGlassLaw can help. In addition, we can gather other evidence that supports your claim, negotiate with insurers, and fight for fair compensation for your losses.
Book a free consultation to get help with your case.
Call (703) 591-9829 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form