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Car Accident Reports & Why They’re Important

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Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

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Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Read Time: 4 mins

Police car accident reports are integral to any investigation of an accident claim. Without this report, it is hard to determine which driver was at fault for the collision. These reports contain a wealth of information useful in your claim against the other driver’s insurance company. Some will indicate that one driver is at fault, as per the officer’s opinion. Most reports do not place liability on a driver. That is the insurance company’s determination. However, a report that designates fault plays a valuable role in the settlement process.

A car accident lawyer at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. protects your rights and can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Since 1975, our dedicated lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for accident victims.

Car Accident Reports

The police car accident report is detailed. The information should include:

Accident date, time, and location
Accident scene description
Contact and insurance information of each driver
Driver’s license numbers
Driver statements
Narrative of events leading to the crash
Passenger names and contact information
Vehicle descriptions, including make, model, and year
Vehicle damage description
Visible injury description
Weather conditions
Witness names and contact information

The report will also state whether the law enforcement officer issued tickets to either driver. Contributing factors are also noted, such as whether speeding, driving under the influence, or non-working lights or signals were involved in the crash.

When Serious Injuries Occur

Anyone injured in a car accident is advised to take photos of the scene and their injuries. For seriously injured victims, that is not possible. They are en route to the emergency room or in no condition to move around the accident scene taking pictures.

The police officer responding to the accident will investigate the accident and file their report. They will usually take photos of the scene itself and vehicle damage. While a car accident report is always crucial, it is especially so when those involved in the crash could not collect evidence.

Obtaining the Police Report

These reports are generally available within a few days of the collision. Get a copy of it by contacting the police department of the municipality in which the accident occurred. If the state police responded to the call, visit their website to obtain a copy. In some locales, it is possible to get it online to download and print.

How an Attorney Uses the Police Report

Once your lawyer has a copy of it, they can use it to contact witnesses and begin their investigation. In conjunction with medical reports, police reports help your attorney when negotiating a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. The insurance adjuster also receives a copy of it. Since a police officer is an unbiased witness, their professional opinion holds weight with insurance adjusters. Keep in mind that police reports are not admissible in court should your case go to trial. However, the officer may be called upon to testify in the case.

Minor Accidents

No matter how minor an accident may seem, it is critical to call the police. The other driver may try to convince you otherwise, but that could prove a costly mistake. What initially looks like a minor collision could end up causing an injury that appears after a few days. That is true of many whiplash injuries, which may take 24 to 48 hours to become painful. A “minor” injury can turn out to have long-term consequences.

Your vehicle may also have sustained more damage than initially suspected. Without the report, the insurance adjuster will not offer a settlement for property damage.

Suppose the police were not called to the accident scene. In that case, you must fill out an accident report form with the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of the incident if the accident resulted in any injury or property damage exceeding $1,000. Finally, if you want to file a claim, the insurance company will require it.

Contact a New York and New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer for a free consultation

If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. We serve Rockland County (NY) and Bergen County (NJ). Call or text 24/7 or complete our online form to arrange a free consultation.

After reviewing your claim, we will advise you of your options. You pay no fee unless you receive compensation.

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   LWelsh 
 1 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clever and efficient.
  
 
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   Kenny Perlow 
 22 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.
  
 
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   Aliza Ali 
 86 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.
  
 
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   Jana Montero 
 89 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!
  
 
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   Mike Sakmann 
 95 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.
  
 
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   Liz Hecker 
 101 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.
  
 
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   Brandy Miller 
 124 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for her
  
 
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   Mike Greenspan 
 137 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.
  
 
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   Jonathan Sampson 
 144 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommend
  
 
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   Vinnie Kung 
 147 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!

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