In the chaos of accidents involving motor vehicles, you may not think of getting a copy of your motor vehicle crash report from a law enforcement officer.
You may be wondering, where do you start your car crash record search in such a complex legal system? Is a car crash record search free or do I have to purchase it from an agency? Which agency has my records? City? County? or State? Is there a website I can use to search? Who handles requests from customers who want reports?
This article will shorten your search for your crash records following a car accident in any Kentucky county.
We will show you how to navigate the system easily, avoid the most common records requests error our customers experience, and obtain a certified copy of your car accident police report for any vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident.
As a result of the initial shock and trauma in the moments that follow an accident, it’s not uncommon for crash victims to make mistakes that can negatively affect their car accident claim.
For example, some avoid an accident report or calling the police—but this is a serious error. If you are injured in a car accident, it’s best to complete a police report at the time the crash occurred so it will be recorded by the police office.
Crash reports provide data and keep you from having to search online for crucial facts later.
You should always call the police after an accident. Because police reports preserve evidence and protect your legal rights.
If you have any questions about your Kentucky car accident or want help obtaining your crash report, don’t hesitate to contact our legal team for assistance. Call us at (844)4KY-WINS today.
Why Police Crash Reports Are Essential After a Car Accident
Police crash reports are created by the first law enforcement officer or agency on the crash scene. They contain vital information that your attorney and others involved in your case must ensure the correct party is held accountable and that damages are adequately compensated.
For example, without a police crash report, you lack access to the evidence to prove what happened.
A complete and thorough police crash report includes information that can help your case, such as the following:
- The names and insurance information of all parties
- The location, time, and date the accident occurred
- Damages caused by the accident
- Contributing factors such as speeding, drunk driving, bad weather, or driver distraction
How to Obtain Car Accident Reports in Kentucky
If the police are not called, you can still submit a civilian traffic collision report alone. You can file one yourself by going to the online front page of the Kentucky State Police Portal site.
Kentucky law requires crash reports within 10 days for any accidents that involve property damage exceeding $500.
If possible, this crash data should be included in all reports:
- Where the accident occurred
- The date of the accident
- The person (or persons) who witnessed the crash
- Description of any motor vehicles or drivers involved
- Names and complete contact information for each driver and vehicle owner
- Insurance information for each person with a vehicle involved
Any gaps in your information record can be investigated by our law firm, and crash data presented as an amendment to your crash report form. An error-filled report form undermines your case.
If the police show up and investigate the scene, you have three options for obtaining a copy of their report:
Visit the Kentucky State Police barracks to request a free copy of any crash report completed by law enforcement officers in any Kentucky county. You will be asked to fill out a short form in the office before they give you the records.
Send a written request via U.S. Mail to the Kentucky State Police post that worked the accident. Reports can be purchased with a check or money order via mail for a nominal fee of $5.00.
Include a note with your name, the date of the collision, and the location of the accident in your mail request. Include the officer’s name if possible. You can mail the request to Kentucky State Police Headquarters, ATTN: Open Records, 919 Versailles Rd., Frankfort, KY 40601.
Order a copy of the report online at www.buycrash.com. Once on the page, you must select “Kentucky” in the drop-down menu and pay a $10 fee, which can be paid by credit card. After you have paid the access fee online, you can print a copy of the report.
Trust McCoy & Sparks— Personal Injury Attorneys in Central Kentucky
If you don’t want to purchase a copy of records from the police car accident report yourself, a McCoy & Sparks’ experienced personal injury attorney can help you:
- Obtain crash records from the local police office
- Navigate the complex court system in your county
- Search for and purchase any record related to your accident
- Determine what insurance the responsible party purchased
- Request statements and evidence from the other party’s attorneys
- Handle requests for your records from any other person involved
- Search online and in person for evidence that supports your claim
- Request, collect, and maintain (in our office) records related to where the crash occurred
- Hire expert consultants to review crash records
- Evaluate unique factors present when and where the crash occurred
PLUS…Our law office does all that without collecting a fee unless we win your case.
We provide premium service for our car crash clients, we develop a strategy to help our customers achieve the best possible crash outcome.
Avoid making a costly error. Call us at (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our car accident attorneys today.