You were involved in an auto collision in Lexington, KY in which you suffered injuries. You secured the accident report in anticipation of notifying your insurer of your crash.
You’ve come to learn that the report has so much more value, though, now that you’re hurt. You know that it may assist a car crash lawyer like ours in determining liability for your injury incident. But how? Here’s what you need to know about how to read a police crash report.
Making Sense of the Data Contained on the First Page of Kentucky Accident Reports
The Kentucky Uniform Police Traffic Collision Report can look complicated at a glance but is fairly straightforward once you start digging into the specifics of each of the sections. On the first page, there are four main sections. In the first section, there is space to outline details of the location of the crash, the number of injuries/fatalities at the scene, how many cars were involved, if it was a hit and run, and the speed limit for the stretch of road where the accident occurred.
The details of the crash itself are outlined in the second section. There is space to take note of a number of factors, including:
- Manner of the collision
- Location of the first event
- Traffic control
- Roadway type
- Total lanes
- Roadway character
- Roadway surface
- Roadway condition
- Weather
- Light condition
- Land use
- School bus-related
The specifics of each of these boxes are outlined in the crash report. The third section is where the officer can take note of any first aid administered at the scene, as well as arrival and departure times for emergency medical personnel. The fourth section allows for the officer to take any additional notes needed to describe the collision.
What Information You Can Find on the Second Page of a Crash Report in KY
The second page allows for space to note any property damage caused, other than the damage caused to the vehicles. There is also a larger section with space to draw a diagram of the scene of the crash.
At the top of the third page is a space to make note of any tow trucks that facilitated the removal of damaged vehicles, as well as space to make note of pedestrians involved in the crash and what they were doing at the time of the collision. Below that is a space for information about the people involved in the crash, including their names and full address.
The final section of the page is to provide details about the vehicles involved in the crash. It includes:
- Space to note the exact make and model of the vehicle in question
- The name of the insurance company that insures the vehicle and driver
- The extent of the damage
- Where the initial contact occurred
- Estimated speed at the time of the crash
- Details about any cargo, the shipping company, the type of truck, etc. if it was a commercial vehicle
- Whether or not the driver was suspected of driving under the influence, including the method it was determined, and additional details about tests and their results if administered
There could be multiple versions of each page in your police report, especially in multi-vehicle accidents.
Why Are Police Crash Reports Important in a Personal Injury Case?
Police reports can be invaluable in arguing your case following a car accident. Kentucky law requires that a police report must be filled if property damage exceeds $500 or if one of the people involved in the crash was seriously injured or killed. While it’s possible to submit an accident report without calling the police to the scene of the crash through the Department of Kentucky State Police’s website, it’s highly recommended to have an official at the scene.
Not only will the initial police report be necessary when filing your insurance claim, but it will also serve as a baseline for what your car accident attorney can argue in court or at the negotiation table. The officer and their report will often play a key role in both proving fault and determining the damages that can be recovered. If you were seriously injured in a car crash, it’s vital that you seek experienced legal representation before taking legal action and before signing any agreement with your insurance company.
