After a car accident, you need compensation to get you through recovery. To do that, you need evidence like your police report to help prove your legal claim.
Fortunately, our team can determine which police department made your report, what methods to obtain it, and how it will be used in your case. Most accidents in Bethlehem are investigated by the local police department, so they will likely be the first place to seek your report. Bethlehem Police Department reports are available online or can be picked up in person. If you were injured on the interstate, we can search the state police online database or help you complete a request form so that you can get your report by mail. Once we have your report, we can use it to discover other evidence, like witnesses who can testify for you.
For a free case review with our Bethlehem personal injury attorneys, call Leeson & Leeson at (610) 890-6332.
Getting a Police Report After a Car Accident from the City of Bethlehem, PA Police Department
More likely than not, the Bethlehem Police Department (BPD) will be the first source to turn to for your car accident report. While the BPD does offer copies of vehicle accident reports for $15 per copy, they provide no information on how to obtain them. The BPD’s headquarters is located at 10 East Church Street, so it might be convenient to stop by during business hours if it is close to check. However, call the BPD Service Center first at 610) 865-7000 to confirm if this method is allowed. Better still, our Bethlehem car accident attorneys can contact the BPD for you so that little time is wasted getting your report.
How You Can Get a Car Accident Report from the Bethlehem, PA Township Police Department
If your accident happened outside Bethlehem city limits, the Bethlehem Township Police Department (BTPD) might have investigated it. If so, you will need to use one of the approved methods to recover a copy of your police report.
The first option the BTPD provides is to request the report online using the CrashDocs website. To access your report, you must provide a reference or report number, but you can also input your last name and the date of the accident if you choose. However, you might not know the reference number if the officer did not give you any documentation with one while you were on the scene. Our lawyers can reach out to the BTPD to retrieve the number so you can get your report as soon as possible.
If the Township’s Administration Department is close by and you do not have a report number, it might be more convenient to pick up a copy in person. Their office is located at 4225 Easton Avenue, Bethlehem, 18020, and is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. We suggest calling the administrative office ahead of time at (610) 814-6426 so that you do not waste a trip. They should be able to confirm whether or not your report is available for pickup.
Ways You Can Get a Copy of Your Police Report from the Pennsylvania State Police After a Car Accident in Bethlehem, PA
If your crash occurred on one of the highways running through Bethlehem, like U.S. Highway 22, 78, or 378, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) might have investigated it. You can get a PSP accident report either online or by mail.
Online PSP reports can be obtained here. Once there, input your CAD/case number, or your last name and incident date to start the request process. If you received a paper copy of the crash report on the scene, you can find the CAD/case number at the top left of it. If not, you can still use your last name and date to get results.
You can also request a PSP crash report by mail. You must complete, sign, and print the request form and mail it to the address below:
PA State Police
Crash Reports Unit
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Also, be sure to include a certified check or money order for $22 made out to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Regardless of your preferred option, the report might not be ready for up to 15 days.
What to Do After Getting Your Police Car Accident Report in Bethlehem, PA
Once our team has your police report, we will quickly determine its accuracy. Although police reports cannot generally be used as evidence during a trial, they are a vital part of the insurance claims process. If the location, facts of the accident, or parties named in the report are wrong, it could impact your case. We can reach out to the law enforcement agency that drafted the report to amend it.
Fortunately, most reports are accurate and, thus, serve as a good source of other information to prove your claim. The report should include the names and contact information of eyewitness that the police spoke with, as well as statements describing what they saw. For victims too injured to talk to witnesses before going to the hospital, the police report might be the only way to identify them. Once identified, our team will contact witnesses immediately to determine if their testimony can support your claims. This is especially important in cases where the defendant claims you contributed to the accident.
Most police reports conclude with the investigating officer’s observations and notes. The details included there could be integral to proving liability in your case. Perhaps the officer smelled alcohol on the other driver’s breath or noted their speech was slurred during the interview. It would also note whether the driver was arrested or cited for the crash. By stressing details like these during negotiations, you are more likely to settle your claim for what you deserve.
Call Our Car Accident Attorneys in Bethlehem, PA Today for Help
Call Leeson & Leeson today at (610) 890-6332 for a free case review with our Bethlehem car accident attorneys.