If you’ve experienced a car accident, you may have called the police to the scene. Those officers likely investigated the causes of the crash and prepared an accident report. This report can contain useful information, including the other driver’s insurance details. However, many drivers do not know how to obtain an accident report in Lancaster, PA.
The process for obtaining a crash report in Lancaster, PA, varies depending on the police agency that investigated the collision. A Lancaster car accident lawyer from Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you obtain and use the report from your accident. Call (717) 616-2954 to schedule a free consultation.
How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help After a Car Accident in Lancaster, PA
Our lawyers share over 120 years of combined legal experience fighting for justice in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We have recovered millions of dollars for injured people like you.
If someone else’s misconduct caused you to get hurt in a crash, our Lancaster personal injury lawyers can assist you in these key ways:
- Reviewing medical records and other evidence to determine the full impact of your crash
- Preparing your claim using the evidence collected
- Negotiating to obtain a fair insurance settlement
- Taking the at-fault driver to court if their insurer refuses to settle the case
Car accidents can result in serious injuries and significant financial losses. Contact us to schedule your free consultation with a skilled Lancaster car accident attorney to learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Car Accident Reports Under Pennsylvania Law
Pennsylvania law requires drivers to report traffic crashes to the local police when those accidents cause any of the following:
- Death
- Injury
- Damage that makes a vehicle undrivable
The agency that a driver must contact depends on the location of the crash. Township or city police handle crash investigations within their borders. The Pennsylvania State Police handles investigations for any crashes outside of city or township limits.
During these investigations, officers will interview the drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists involved in the crash. They will also speak with any eyewitnesses to gather information on possible causes of the crash.
The investigating officers may record observations and measurements, such as the weather conditions and DUI test results. They might also take photos and videos of the accident scene.
Within 15 days of the accident, the officers will prepare a crash report summarizing their findings, which may include details like these:
- The names and addresses of the drivers
- The registered vehicle owners’ names and addresses
- Each vehicle’s insurance policy numbers
- A list of crash injuries observed at the scene
- The names and contact information for any eyewitnesses
- A diagram of the crash
- A narrative description of the accident
This information provides a starting point for attorneys and insurers investigating the crash.
Obtaining Your Car Accident Report in Lancaster
The process for obtaining a crash report depends on the police agency that investigated the accident.
Lancaster City Bureau of Police
The Lancaster City Bureau of Police investigates crashes within Lancaster’s city limits. The bureau generally gives crash victims two options for obtaining an accident report. First, crash victims can request a copy of their accident report in person at the records department of the bureau’s office.
Second, crash victims can request a copy of a crash report online using the CrashDocs portal. CrashDocs is a third-party service provider that collects and maintains accident reports from many police agencies across the country.
Crash reports are usually only provided to people named in the report, legal guardians of people named in the report, or lawyers and insurers of those named in the report.
Lancaster Township Police Department
The Lancaster Township Police Department has jurisdiction over crashes outside of Lancaster’s city limits but within Lancaster Township limits. In other words, if the address of the crash is in “Lancaster” but not within the city limits, it was probably investigated by the Lancaster Township Police Department.
These crash reports are available at the CrashDocs portal. You may also be able to request one in person.
Pennsylvania State Police
In some circumstances, the Pennsylvania State Police may investigate your accident in Lancaster. This most commonly happens when you crash on roads under state control, such as US-30 and US-222.
You can obtain crash reports from the Pennsylvania State Police using the agency’s online portal or by filing a paper request by mail. In both cases, the agency recommends waiting at least 15 days after the crash to ensure the accident report is available.
Contact Our Lancaster Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A crash report can often serve as valuable evidence after a Lancaster car accident. If you’re having trouble obtaining your report or are considering filing a claim for compensation after a crash, the team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help. Contact our Lancaster car accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation to get started today.