Personal Injury Lawyer
Car accidents, especially severe ones, bring about a mixture of emotions, from anxiety to anger. However, they also lead to significant expenses, which you may not want to cover on your own. When you are involved in a car accident and wish to recoup your losses from a negligent party, then you are likely going to file a civil action against the accused’s insurer or them personally. In either case, before you can file suit, you must prove responsibility and recoverability, which can happen by gathering the relevant paperwork, and more importantly, the accident report. There are a couple of ways to get a copy of the official accident report: online and by mail.
Online
As with most paperwork nowadays, you can purchase a copy of the official report, but you will need to order it by going to your local DMV website. However, before ordering a copy of these documents, you must verify your personal information. Also, you may be asked to supply proof in the form of one of several documents.
- Driver’s license
- DMV case number
- License plate number
Once you provide proof of your involvement in the accident, you can purchase a copy of the report. Most often, you will have access to the report within seven days. Most online reports are delivered in PDF format, which may cause a problem if your system does not support PDF software.
By Mail
To order a paper copy of the report, you can typically request it online or in person. However, to request the report, you will need to provide the date of the accident and the county where the accident occurred. You will also need to provide your license number and your date of birth. Again, you will probably receive your certified copy of the report within 7 to 10 business days.
Availability
While you may be eager to file your lawsuit, you can’t file until you have your report. Unfortunately, accident reports take time to reach the DMV, and the length of time depends on the filing method. For instance, if a police officer files a report electronically, then it is often available within 14 days. If the officer filed a paper report, then it can take at least 30 days, and finally, if you submitted the report, then it may take at least 60 days.
Accidents can lead to significant loss of property and even personal injury. However, before you can file a lawsuit, you need to file and get a copy of the accident report.
