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How to Obtain a Copy of a Truck Accident Report

Published on Jul 23, 2020 at 11:26 am in Truck Accident.
How to Obtain a Copy of a Truck Accident Report

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident and are planning on seeking compensation for your losses, it’s important to ensure you have the evidence needed to build a strong case. When you work with a lawyer, they will help you obtain a copy of the truck accident report, which will have crucial information for your claim.

Obtaining a copy of an accident report varies by state and city. To understand how you can obtain a copy, let’s start by looking at when truck drivers are legally required under federal law to report a crash.

Federal Truck Accident Register

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers and trucking companies whose vehicles have been in any accidents in the last year have to provide an accident register.

The report, which includes the date and location of the accident, the driver’s name, the number of injuries and fatalities, and whether hazardous materials were spilled, has to be filed when a crash is considered FMCSA-reportable. This means that a vehicle had to be towed from the scene, or an injury or fatality occurred.

Your lawyer will be able to access the federal truck accident register and examine the report to ensure the details match up with your side of the events as well as the police report.

Accessing a Truck Accident Report in Lexington

With how hectic your situation is likely to be after a crash, you may not know how or where to access a copy of your truck accident report. Fortunately, Lexington has a system in place to make the process easy.

According to the Lexington Police Department, there are three different ways you can access a traffic collision report:

  • Online reports. To access a report through the online portal, you’ll need the case number, report date, and the last name of the owner or driver of the vehicle. There is a $10 fee for the report.
  • Walk-in reports. You can obtain a physical copy of a truck accident report by going to the police station in person. You will need to provide the case number, name of the driver or owner, location of the collision, date of the crash, and photo ID. There is a $5 per report.
  • Mailed reports. To request a report by mail, you need to provide the same information as you would for a walk-in, in addition to a $5 fee and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Mail the request to Lexington Police Department, Central Records, 150 E. Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507.

Reports on open cases are typically available five days after the report is filed.  It’s important to note that only individuals involved in a collision can obtain a report pertaining to the accident.

Understanding a Truck Accident Report

Truck accident reports are often complex. Because of the nature of these types of collisions, thorough investigations are conducted to determine liability. Your lawyer can explain the report to you, so you understand its implications and how it can act as a piece of evidence for your claim.

A truck accident report will contain the names of the parties involved in the crash, when and where it happened, and the responding police officer’s initial opinion regarding fault. It will also note if any injuries or fatalities occurred and whether emergency medical personnel responded to the situation.

Tractor-trailers are outfitted with black boxes that retain important information in the event of a crash, like how fast the truck was going, whether brakes were applied, tire traction, and more. That information will also be included in the accident report.

Contact the Law Office of Todd W. Burris, PLLC

Obtaining and understanding a copy of the truck accident report for the crash you were involved in is crucial. The information on that report will be an important piece of evidence when it comes to proving your personal injury claim and ensuring you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

When you work with the Law Office of Todd W. Burris, PLLC, your lawyer will make sure your claim proves you were wrongfully injured and the negligent party—whether that’s the truck driver, trucking company, or truck manufacturer—is held accountable.

To learn more about how to recover as fully as possible from a truck accident, schedule a free consultation with our firm today. We’ll review your situation, discuss the validity of your claim, and work to begin building a strong case on your behalf. Once you have the compensation you need to manage your accident-related losses, you’ll be able to put the collision behind you and move confidently into the future.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice. Viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Prior case results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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