Any time police are called to the scene of a traffic incident,, the responding officers will usually prepare an accident or crash report. These police crash reports contain valuable information for injured victims who want fair compensation. They might include the investigating officer’s findings, summaries of statements given by the drivers and eyewitnesses, whether any involved motorist was ticketed or arrested following the accident, the officer’s opinion about how the crash occurred, and which driver or drivers might be responsible for the accident.
Crash reports might be one of the most important pieces of evidence for any legal demand for compensation following a motor vehicle crash. If you’ve been injured in an accident in Albuquerque or elsewhere in New Mexico and wonder what to do after an accident, obtaining a crash report is a good first step.
Steps to Obtain an Accident Report in New Mexico
New Mexico requires the New Mexico Department of Public Safety to maintain all New Mexico State Police and MTPD uniform crash reports for five years after the crash or 20 years if someone died in the accident. You can request your accident report by filing an online public records request through the New Mexico Department of Public Safety IPRA and Accidents Department. If you are unable to submit the form online, you can complete an IRPA written request form and mail, email, or fax it to the following:
PO BOX 1628
Santa Fe, NM 87504
Fax: 505-827-3388
Email: dps.ipra@state.nm.us or lerb.accidents@state.nm.us
You can also take the request in person to:
Dr. Timothy T. Fleming Building
2500 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Alternatively, you can request the report from the police department that responded to the scene. For example, the Albuquerque Police Department allows motorists involved in a collision to purchase a crash report following the incident. You can purchase crash reports online via the Albuquerque Police Department website.
If you’d rather avoid the internet, you can file a request in person at the Albuquerque Police Department Law Enforcement Center at 400 Roma NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If you contact Parnall Law, your personal injury lawyer in Albuquerque can make the request for you.
How a Crash Report Can Help You Recover Compensation
If you were injured in a car wreck, you can seek financial compensation for your injuries, expenses, and losses by filing an insurance claim. Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to pay as little money as possible. They may try to refute your account of the accident and claim that you’re responsible for your own injuries. In other words, they’ll argue that you caused the crash.
A crash report can serve as a neutral, third-party account of the accident, verifying your allegations. Although the police officer’s opinion regarding fault is not binding, it can be persuasive since police officers understand traffic laws and are trained to respond to and investigate motor vehicle crashes.
How Our Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You
After a collision, the Albuquerque car accident attorneys of Parnall Law can help you to obtain the crash report for your case. Our firm can also help you pursue a claim for compensation against the other driver or at-fault party by:
- Investigating the crash to recover evidence we can use to prove liability for your injuries
- Handling all communication with insurance companies, defense lawyers, and creditors so that you don’t have to deal with any unwanted calls or letters
- Keeping you updated on the progress of your claim
- Helping you with other aspects of your recovery, such as finding medical providers or auto shops
- Aggressively pursuing fair and full compensation on your behalf through a negotiated settlement
- Taking your claim to court and trial when necessary to fight for the best possible result for you
Hurt? Call Bert Now
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Albuquerque or another area in New Mexico, call Parnall Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Since 1997, our firm has represented accident victims in Albuquerque and throughout Central New Mexico. Founding attorney Bert Parnall is a former Albuquerque Bulldog with a bulldog’s approach to tenaciously pursuing maximum recovery on behalf of our clients. Contact our firm to learn more about our 100% client satisfaction guarantee. Don’t wait. Hurt? Call Bert.
