There are many pieces of evidence an injured car accident victim could use to help them recover compensation through an insurance company settlement or a personal injury lawsuit. While not admissible, one of the most important pieces of evidence is the police accident report. These documents include vital information regarding the accident. In many cases, our New Jersey personal injury lawyers will use the accident report as the foundation for building a personal injury claim.
Where you could obtain a copy of your report after an accident depends on where the incident occurred and who responded. If the Paterson police responded to an accident on a local highway or street, you could request a report through the Paterson Police Department either online, by mail, or in person. If the accident occurred on a state highway or if the state police responded, you have to request a copy of the report from the New Jersey State Police. You could do this online, by mail, or in person.
At Legal Care, our experienced New Jersey car accident lawyers understand the importance of the police report in building a case. If you are unable to obtain a report, our office can help you. If you have been hurt in a car crash, call (732) 838-9769 to review your case.
Ordering a Police Report in Paterson, NJ
To request a copy of your police accident report from the Paterson Police Department, you will have to provide some information related to the crash. Typically, you will need to have the report number, your name, driver’s license number, license plate number, time and date of the event, location of the crash, and the names of other drivers involved in the accident. Additionally, you will have to provide your mailing address, phone number, and email address.
There are three ways to request an accident report.
- By telephone: 973-321-1111
- In-person: Paterson Police Department, 111 Broadway, Paterson, NJ 07505
- By email: info@patersonpd.com
The cost of your report will depend on how you obtain it and will typically range between $6 and $20. You could also visit the department’s website for more information.
Obtaining an Accident Report from the New Jersey State Police
In situations where the New Jersey State Police responded to your accident, you will have to obtain a copy of your report through the New Jersey State Police Department. Furthermore, the process will slightly differ if your accident occurred on a non-toll road or a toll road, such as the New Jersey Turnpike.
Non-Toll Roads
The easiest way to order an accident report for crashes that occurred on or after January 1, 2013, is to order it online.
To conduct the search, you will need the report number, driver’s license number, license plate number, or the last name of a driver involved in the accident. Once the system locates the accident record, you will be notified by email and sent instructions on downloading your accident report. Once the report is made available, you will have fourteen days to complete the download.
You should allow at least twenty-four hours from the date of the crash before conducting your search. Typically, it takes a day to one week to complete a search. If the search is based solely on a description of the accident, the search could take up to three months. Each report costs $13, payable by most credit cards or a debit card.
For accidents that occurred before January 1, 2013 or if you wish to, you can request a report through the mail or in person.
First, you must downland and complete a Request to Obtain Copies of State Police Reports. Be sure to complete both sections A and B of the form. Do not forget to check the box marked “Crash Report.” Once completed, mail the form to:
- Division of State Police
- Criminal Justice Records Bureau
- PO Box 7068
- West Trenton, NJ 08628-0068
You also must include a certified check, business check, or money order for $10 made payable to “New Jersey State Police.” Please do not send cash.
Accident reports are not available at the New Jersey State Police Division Headquarters. If you want to request a report in person, you will have to check with the local state police station that investigated the accident. Copies of these reports are usually available within two weeks of the incident.
Toll Roads
If your accident occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike, you could request a copy of the accident report online or by mail or email.
To request an accident report online, begin by searching the Toll Road Crash Report website. You will want to select the state, NJ, and the proper roadway, NJ Turnpike. Next, you will be required to enter the report number or the last name of another driver involved in the accident and the date of the crash.
Online reports cost $5.
If the accident involved a government vehicle or fatality, you must contact the New Jersey Turnpike Authority directly at (732) 442-8600, ext 2431.
Our Paterson, NJ Car Accident Lawyers Will Use Your Police Report to Help You
A police accident report is an important tool for negotiating with an insurance company and locating and investigating other evidence. Additionally, the accident report includes the conclusions of the responding officer after completing the initial investigation into the crash. Our Paterson, NJ car accident attorneys often utilize a police report to serve as a framework to build a personal injury claim. If you need assistance obtaining a police report or were injured in a crash, contact Legal Care New Jersey at (732) 838-9769.
