My Car Accident Police Report is Incorrect. What Should I Do?

Fixing errors in your police report after an automobile accident

Whenever there’s a car accident in St. Louis, a police report has to be filed. This report will be used as the official description of the scene. Although it may be official, that doesn’t mean it represents what really happened.

Unfortunately, accidents happen. Whether you are shaken up and forget to tell part of your story, the officer taking your statement writes down the wrong information by mistake, or the other party involved gives a false report, it is vital you clear up any inconsistencies when it comes to your automobile accident’s police report.

If you notice that there’s an error in how the report is filed, you have the right to address that error right away. In this article, you’ll learn more about police reports, how they work, and what you should do if the report doesn’t represent the reality of the accident.

If you have any doubts or uncertainties, contact a local personal injury attorney to discuss your options. Many times, a car accident attorney will have a team that can quickly get to the scene to document the accident before evidence has been cleared away.

Police reports for car and trucking accidents usually include:

• The names and contact information of the parties involved, including the drivers and passengers of both vehicles as well as any witnesses that may have been in the area
• Vehicle model, year of manufacture, license plate, and other car identification information
• Car insurance coverage, plan, and the agent’s contact information
• Details of the scene such as the weather, road conditions, traffic signals, time of the accident, and other descriptions of the scene
• A rough illustration of how the accident occurred
• Testimonials of the individuals involved

How quickly do I file a police report after a car accident?

Grounds for making one required to file a police report after an automobile accident varies by state. In Missouri, for instance, if the damages cost over $500 or if anyone involved in the accident is injured, you are required to contact the police to file a report.

Again, laws vary depending on the state in which the car accident takes place, but in many states, you have 30 days to file a police report after you are involved in a car accident.

You must file a Missouri Vehicle Accident Report (Form 1140). This is required if you were in an automobile accident in the State of Missouri.

How do I receive a copy of my car accident report in Missouri?

If you have been involved in a car accident in the State of Missouri, the Missouri State Highway Patrol keeps a copy online for 29 days. You can use this tool to search for your report. Most of the time, you will need to receive an official report copy.

To receive an official copy of your car accident report, you can either contact the Sheriff’s office in the county where your accident took place. Alternatively, you can contact Missouri State Highway Patrol at (573) 526-6113 and they can provide details on receiving your report.

Related: How quickly do I need to file a car accident police report in Missouri?

What should I do if I notice an error in the police report after an accident?

To ensure that you have the best chance to claim full compensation, you have to make sure that all the information in the police report is as truthful as possible.

This is done to prevent the other party from making up scenarios and attacking you from an angle that doesn’t exist. There are many types of errors that can occur, some examples include:

Factual Errors in the Police Report

Factual errors refer to incorrect objective information, making them quite easy to change and fix.

There’s many different types of evidence collected after a car accident such as the driver’s license to prove that it is, indeed, incorrect, and there’s very little reason why the law enforcement would want to get the objective information wrong intentionally.

Once the errors have been reported to the law enforcement officer with proper evidence, they may then write an addendum explaining the changes and attach it with the original report before filing both of the documents together.

Transcription Errors in the Police Report

Transcription errors are when the actual details of the case are incorrect, and they can happen in two forms: non-inclusion and inconsistent statements.

A non-inclusion is when a significant piece of information about the case is not mentioned in the report.

For example, if the other driver appeared to be swerving left and right as if they were under the influence of a substance, it has to be included in the report.

If the officer fails to do this, it can sway the case in a different direction. An inconsistent statement is when what you tell the officer and what is written in the report are not the same.

Before you sign your name on the report, please make sure that all the descriptions written about the incident are correct, as it can be difficult to change it later on, especially when the report has already been submitted to the court.

Disputed Facts between You and the Other Person Involved in the Car Accident

Disputed facts are among the trickiest types of factual errors, as they may require you to resolve the disputes first before the report can be changed.

For example, if the report states that you were speeding in a residential area, but you claim that you didn’t, it will be up to you to provide the evidence against what’s written in the report.

In most cases, chances are that it’s not likely to change, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t take action if you truly believe that the police report is incorrect.

You can write your own report and bring light to the differences between the two reports, pointing out why the accident couldn’t have gone down as it was stated in the original report.

Related: Car accident settlement statistics in Missouri

How do I request a change in a Police Report after a Car or Truck Accident?

The most important thing you need to keep in mind is that you must always remain respectful of the officer, as you wouldn’t want them to add a “contempt of cop” charge to your case.

People make mistakes, and the best course of action when you’re looking to address these mistakes is to be logical and reasonable.

If you want to let the officer know that the information is incorrect, you have to provide an explanation or evidence that will sway them in your direction.

If you can’t settle the police report in a way that you believe is correct, then it may be time to call your car or truck accident attorney and have them negotiate the report for you.

Police reports are crucial to your car accident case, as it will be used as a reference to how the accident went down, and if it works against you, you’re going to have a hard time in court.

That’s why it’s better to make the report represent reality as accurately as possible.

Steps to Correct Your Inaccurate Police Report

If you discover that your car accident police report is incorrect, it’s important to take prompt action to address the errors. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Review the report carefully – First, obtain a copy of the police report as soon as possible after the accident. Thoroughly review it for any inaccuracies, whether they are factual errors (like misspelled names or incorrect license numbers) or subjective mistakes (such as an incorrect description of how the accident occurred).
2. Gather supporting evidence from your car accident  – Collecting as much evidence as possible can help prove the correct information. This may include:
   • Photos from the accident scene
   • Witness statements
   • Video footage
   • Medical records
   • Any other relevant documentation
3. Contact the reporting officer – Reach out to the police department that issued the report and request to speak with the officer who filed it. Explain the errors you’ve found and provide the evidence you’ve gathered. Be polite and professional in your communication, as the officer is more likely to be cooperative if you approach the situation respectfully.
4. Request amendments for factual errors – If the mistakes are objective (factual) in nature, such as incorrect personal information or vehicle details, the officer may be willing to amend the report. Provide any necessary documentation to support the corrections, such as your driver’s license or insurance information.
5. Address subjective errors – For subjective errors, like disagreements about how the accident occurred, it may be more challenging to have the report changed. In this case:
   • Write a formal letter to the officer explaining your perspective and the reasons you believe the report is inaccurate.
   • Present any evidence that supports your account of the events.
   • Request that your statement be attached to the original report as an addendum, even if the officer is unwilling to change the initial report.
6. File a formal amendment request – If the officer is unresponsive or unwilling to make changes, submit a formal amendment request to the police department. This should include a detailed explanation of the errors and all supporting evidence.
7. Seek legal assistance – If you’re having difficulty getting the report corrected or if the errors could significantly impact your insurance claim or potential legal case, consider consulting with an experienced car accident attorney. They can help you navigate the process and ensure your rights are protected.
8. Act quickly – Remember that there are time limitations for filing car accident claims. In some states, like Ohio, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. Acting promptly to correct any errors in the police report is crucial to preserving your legal rights.
9. Document your efforts – Keep a record of all your attempts to correct the report, including copies of any correspondence with the police department and any responses you receive.
10. Use additional evidence in your claim – Even if you can’t get the police report changed, you can still present other evidence to support your version of events when dealing with insurance companies or in legal proceedings. This might include witness statements, expert testimony, or surveillance footage.

Remember, while a police report is an important document in car accident cases, it’s not the only evidence considered. Insurance companies and courts will also take into account other forms of evidence when determining fault and settling claims. By taking these steps and documenting your efforts to correct any errors, you’ll be in a better position to protect your interests following a car accident