How to Obtain a Police Report After a Car Accident in New Orleans, LA?

You can obtain a police report after a car accident in New Orleans online from the New Orleans Police Department website or in person. You can also request a report from the Louisiana State Police for a fee. 

Police reports are a powerful piece of evidence and practically a necessity if you are going to file a car accident lawsuit. A New Orleans car accident lawyer can help you obtain a police report and other documentation necessary to file an insurance claim. 

Accidents in Louisiana Must Be Reported to the Police

Louisiana law requires that all car accidents involving injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage be reported to law enforcement. Once the responding offer arrives, they will generate an accident report containing basic information about the crash. After generating the report, the responding law enforcement agency will send copies of the report to the Department of Transportation and Development and the city police. 

Obtaining a Car Accident Report in New Orleans

The main method for obtaining a police report after a car accident in New Orleans is through the police (NOPD). You can go to the police reports lookup tool on their website and request a report. To request a police report, you will need to provide a description of your request, including the report number and personal identifying information like your name, email, and phone number. 

Another option to secure online files is to file a request with the State of Louisiana Department of Public Safety (DPS). DPS has a repository of reports from across the state, and you can request a report by giving your name, the date of the crash, and the parish where the crash occurred. Note that it takes about 15 days for a crash report to be uploaded to the state system, so if you search too early, you may not find your report. 

If you don’t have a computer or otherwise cannot order online, you can instead request a report in person at the New Orleans records building located at 715 South Broad Street. When you request accident reports, you may also request copies of photographs from the incident. 

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Car Accident Police Report?

If you request an accident report from the police online, it costs $20—$5 for printing and a $15 processing fee. If you request the report from the state DPS, it will cost $11.50. You may also have to pay a small processing fee if you use a credit card to pay for reports. After purchasing a report online, you will be able to download and print a PDF copy. 

What Information Does a Crash Report Contain?

A crash report contains basic information about the crash and involved parties, including the following:

• Addresses and contact information
• Insurance provider information
• Make, model, and year of all vehicles
• Vehicle damage and injuries
• Diagram describing crash dynamics
• Contributing factors to the accident
• Narrative describing the accident sequence of events
• Information in traffic citations or violations

Why Crash Reports Matter for Insurance Claims

Police car accident reports are extremely important for insurance claims for two main reasons:

1. They prove the accident happened
2. They establish objective details of the accident

A police report can be used to corroborate your claims and to settle disputes if the parties disagree about the details of the crash. Police reports are not the final determination of causality and liability in car accident cases. But the facts in a police report, in conjunction with other evidence, can be used to determine responsibility. 

For example, a police report can prove that you had damage in a specific spot on your car after the accident. A lawyer can use this finding to show that you were struck by a negligent driver in the way you claimed. At the very least, a report can contradict the other party if they make a false claim about the accident circumstances. 

Am I Required to Submit a Police Report for an Insurance Claim?

You are not legally required to submit a police report when you make an insurance claim. However, it’s usually a good idea simply to increase the availability of evidence. 

Without a report, the other party might question the accident events or even the fact that it happened. A police report on its own is not enough to guarantee success in a lawsuit, but it’s an important piece of evidence for building a strong case. 

Contact a New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer Today

Do you have more questions about how to obtain a police report after a car accident in New Orleans, LA?

If so, contact Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers online or call today for a free case consultation with a personal injury lawyer in New Orleans.