Does the Car Accident Police Report Automatically Go to My Insurance in Pittsburgh?

On This Page

1. Why does the Insurance Company Want a Copy of the Accident Report?
2. When to File a Car Accident Police Report in Pittsburgh
3. The Car Accident Police Report Will Include This Information
4. The Car Accident Police Report Can Help Your Lawyer Determine Fault
5. A Car Accident Lawyer from Our Firm Will Manage Each Aspect of Your Case
6. Meet with a Pittsburgh Car Accident Lawyer from Our Team

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

February 02, 2022

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

The car accident police report does not automatically go to your insurance in Pittsburgh. Yet, the insurance company may still request this information to process your claim. This document includes important information, including when your accident happened, who was involved, and other relevant details.

When you partner with a lawyer, they can request a copy of the accident report from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Central Records and Reporting Unit. They can share this information with the liable insurer and push for a fair settlement.

Why does the Insurance Company Want a Copy of the Accident Report?

The police report verifies that your accident happened. With this information, the insurance company can learn who caused your accident, who was involved, and the extent of your vehicle’s damage.

You want every possible piece of evidence to support your car accident claim. The car accident police report is just one example. The insurance company may also ask for photos of your car’s damage, your medical bills, and the contact information of the involved parties.

When to File a Car Accident Police Report in Pittsburgh

Here are some laws surrounding car accident police reports in Pittsburgh:

• Pa. C.S.A. Vehicles § 3747 notes that, if the police don’t investigate your accident, you have five days to report the incident to law enforcement.
• Pa. C.S.A. Vehicles § 3746 says that you must file a car accident report if a collision results in any injuries, fatalities, or property damage beyond a certain amount.

If the police came to the scene of the accident, they likely filed an accident report. However, to make sure, you should contact the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Central Records and Reporting Unit and request a copy. From there, you should review the report for accuracy.

Of course, if you partner with a car accident lawyer, they can do all of that for you.

The Car Accident Police Report Will Include This Information

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PDOT) has a sample police report online. Here, you can get a general idea of what this document contains. It may include:

• The VIN numbers, makes, models, and years of all involved vehicles
• The date, time, and location of the car accident
• All involved parties’ addresses, phone numbers, contact information, and insurance information
• The road conditions, visibility, and weather at the time of the accident
• Information about any passengers involved, including where they were seated at the time of the accident
• Descriptions of all involved parties’ injuries
• Drawn diagrams of the accident and how the accident occurred

Each detail can prove your case for compensation. Don’t be afraid of the insurance company reviewing this report; doing so can encourage a positive outcome.

The Car Accident Police Report Can Help Your Lawyer Determine Fault

Law enforcement will often determine who is at fault for causing a car accident when writing their police report. Some of the different factors that are taken into consideration include:

• The testimony from the involved parties
• The points of impact on each vehicle
• Statements from eyewitnesses
• Whether drunk driving was involved
• Any vehicle malfunctions, such as non-working brake lights or blown tires
• Violations of PA traffic laws
• The involved drivers’ criminal history

Your Lawyer Will Use the Police Report to Prove These Things

Recovering compensation after a collision involves proving negligence. Using the police report, eyewitness testimony, and other information, your lawyer will prove:

• The other motorist owed you a duty of care, which meant operating their vehicle prudently.
• The other party did not drive their vehicle with appropriate care.
• The other party’s actions caused your accident.
• You incurred various losses, such as medical bills and property damage costs.

A Car Accident Lawyer from Our Firm Will Manage Each Aspect of Your Case

After getting hurt in an accident, you have the right to partner with our firm. We will handle everything your case requires, from requesting the accident report to using it to build your case.

Compensation can account for your medical bills, lost income, and other related expenses. We also don’t charge any starting fees, so we can start your case without asking for payment.

Meet with a Pittsburgh Car Accident Lawyer from Our Team

Copies of your car accident police report will eventually need to go to your insurance company. But you don’t have to worry about the police sending copies to your insurer before you’ve filed a claim.

Your Pittsburgh car accident lawyer at Berger and Green will handle the insurance claims process, so you can focus on your recovery. We have over 40 years of experience advocating for injured people. Now, we’re ready to serve you to the best of our ability.

Schedule your free consultation today when you call our office at (412) 661-1400.