The answer is yes. Even if there is no police report for whatever reason, this will not prevent you from making a claim or filing a case. The best practice, however, is to obtain a police report by calling the local authorities immediately after the accident occurs.
Do You Need a Police Report to File a Car Accident Claim in Tennessee?
If you get into a traffic accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage of $50 or more, you must immediately report the accident to the appropriate law enforcement agency. You must also file a report with the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security for any accident involving death, injury, personal property damage totaling $1,500, or government property damage totaling $400. You must do so within 20 days of the accident.
While a police report can make filing a car accident claim much easier, you can still do so without one. However, you may face challenges in recovering compensation. The police report contains critical evidence about how and why an accident occurred. Without it, the other driver may accuse you of causing the accident or contest your side of the story.
How Can I Get a Copy of the Police Report for My Accident?
The police officer who responds to the accident will complete a report and file it with the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security within seven days of completing their investigation. You can get a copy of the report through three methods:
- Online – You must pay $10 and provide identifying information, including your last name, the accident date, reporting agency, driver’s license number, and at least one of these: license plate number, VIN, or tracking or case number.
- In person – You can purchase a copy of the report in person at the office of the investigating agency. You must pay $4 and provide identifying information, including the accident date, location, driver’s name, and agency tracking number.
- By mail – You can request the report by completing the request form and mailing it with a check for $4 to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security.
How Could Having a Police Report Help Me Recover Compensation?
Having a police report can help you recover compensation in several ways.
First, the police report provides an objective account of the accident, including helpful evidence about where, when, why, and how the accident occurred. The report may also include the officer’s assessment of who caused the accident based on their investigation. The officer’s determination and the underlying evidence can be influential in establishing fault and supporting your compensation claim.
Second, the police report may document injuries and property damage sustained in the accident, which helps link the accident to your injuries.
Without a police report, the at-fault driver may tell another story about the accident and accuse you of causing it. Without this objective record, the insurance company may doubt and ultimately deny your claim.
Talk to Our Experienced Tennessee Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you suffered an injury in a Tennessee car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the personal injury attorneys at The Terry Law Firm are ready to help you seek compensation for your injuries regardless of whether you filed a police report. While a police report could strengthen your claim, so will having an experienced legal team on your side. We’re a small-town firm with big-city know-how.
Contact The Terry Law Firm today for your free consultation.
