How to Read Your New Jersey Car Accident Report
An experienced lawyer who can fight for your rights
If you were involved in a car accident in Millburn or anywhere in Essex or Union counties, the police officers who respond to the crash will complete an accident report, officially known as the New Jersey Police Crash Investigation Report. This report can be a valuable source of information if you are seeking financial compensation for what happened.
Attorney David Leigh of The Leigh Law Firm, P.C. understands the impact that injuries from a car accident can have on victims and their families. Recovering compensation after an accident can be complicated. Attorney Leigh is dedicated to helping clients overcome these obstacles to help them get the results they deserve.
How to get a copy of your New Jersey accident report
We suggest getting a copy of this report as soon as possible. There are a few different ways. You can order a copy in person from the law enforcement agency that investigated your accident. You can mail in your request by filling out a request form. Or you can order a copy online from the New Jersey State Police and New Jersey Turnpike Authority website. You will be charged a fee. Or you can contact our law firm and we can handle the request on your behalf.
Carefully review your report and check all the information in it. Make note of anything that does not seem accurate. Then talk to an attorney. Attorney Leigh can review the accident report with you and talk about how it will affect your case for compensation. There may be information in the report that helps your case – for example, it will note whether the other driver was under the influence of alcohol or was cited for speeding.
Insurance companies also review the information in accident reports. But they are looking for information they can use to justify limiting your compensation. Because Attorney Leigh used to represent the insurance companies, he knows how insurance adjusters approach these cases and what they look for when reviewing accident reports. He also knows how to use the information in your report to build a strong case for financial compensation that insurance companies have to take seriously.
An experienced attorney who holds negligent drivers accountable
We take nothing for granted when we represent you. Our firm can investigate your accident to gather evidence, review additional documentation, and interview witnesses. We can also consult accident reconstruction experts and other specialists as needed to help us understand how the crash happened.
Attorney Leigh will also determine the damages you suffered and demand compensation. This includes compensation for all current and future medical expenses for treating your injuries, lost wages if you couldn’t work, and other damages such as pain and suffering. In many cases, attorney Leigh is able to negotiate a settlement that meets your needs. But he will be fully prepared to fight for you in court if that’s what it takes.
It’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible following your accident. While New Jersey law allows two years from the date of your accident to take legal action, it’s better to act sooner rather than later. Over time, valuable evidence can be lost and the memories of witnesses can fade.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at our Millburn office. Or attorney Leigh can meet with you at another location that is more convenient.
Page 1
This section includes basic information about the crash, such as the date, time, and location. The investigating police department and case number will also be noted.
The investigating officer will put codes in the boxes on the sides of this page. These codes represent the crash type, vehicle type, road conditions, light conditions, and other details. The officer will write “99” to refer to the narrative for more details.
This section provides information about the vehicles involved. This includes the make, model, and vehicle identification number, as well as the name of the driver and owner.
The officer will include a diagram of the crash. The location and direction of travel for each vehicle will be noted, as well as other details such as skid marks. On each side of the diagram, the officer will note whether any drug or alcohol tests were given, and note additional information about any commercial vehicles that were involved.
The officer will write a brief description of the crash in the section, and note damage to other property.
The bottom section will include information about the people involved in the crash. The officer will note their names, addresses, and whether they were a driver, passenger, or pedestrian. Injuries will also be noted here, as well as where treatment was given.
Page 2
If needed, information about additional people involved in the crash will be included here.
There will be a more detailed description of how the crash happened, as the officer understood it.
Page 3:
There will be a larger version of the officer’s diagram of the crash. It will note the location and direction of vehicles, as well as any traffic signals and intersections.
Click here to download a printable PDF of these instructions.