Many people believe that everything is cut and dry after a car accident. However, the truth is that there are many aspects that might stand in your way following a collision. One of these aspects is when a police report is incorrect and shows wrong information. Many people rely on the police report after a car accident to show that another person is liable for their collision. Because of this, you must always make sure that it is correct.

Because police reports carry so much weight, it is essential that you spot any errors so that you can get them fixed within the report. Today we will talk about some of the common errors present in police reports and how you can have corrections made so that you can use the police report in your case.

Types of Mistakes Sometimes Made on Police Reports

Factual: Factual errors and mistakes are sometimes prominent in police reports. These errors might include aspects like the misspelling of the names or information of the people involved in the collision, the incorrect types of vehicles involved, wrong driver’s license information, wrong insurance company names, or an inaccurate location is given. These types of errors are some of the easiest to correct because they can clearly be proven based on the information that you and the other driver provide to police. You will need to show evidence of the correct information to the responding agency so that they can amend the police report. 

Transcription: When speaking with an officer, some things can become lost in translation. Sometimes, an officer will write something down incorrectly after what you told them. Perhaps you told them that you were driving 35 mph at one point and they wrote down 55 instead. Another type of transcription error happens when a police officer does not include certain information in the report even though you have deemed it important and even crucial to your claim. For instance, you may have told them about your injuries and pains at the scene of the accident but they have failed to include these in the report. These omissions can be catastrophic to your claim, which is why you want to take care of them immediately.

Disputed Facts: Disputed facts are some of the most difficult to correct. When there are disagreements over certain aspects, such as who hit who first or the speed at which a person was traveling, it can be difficult to get the correct part of the story. You can attempt to speak with a law enforcement agency about your side of the story and back it up with any facts that you might have.

When You Disagree with the Police Report

After you have been involved in a car accident, the police report is one of the most important aspects when it comes to proving your claim. When you disagree with the police report, it is important that you ask for an amendment to the police report. Speaking with a Florida car accident attorney is one of the most important steps that you can take to ensure that your rights are protected. Our attorneys at Sheftall & Associates have assisted many victims of accidents in the midst of their claims and are willing to stand by your side every step of the way. Please contact our law firm in Florida at 904-647-2296 for more information.