If you’ve been in a car accident in Baltimore, there are certain things you need to do immediately after the crash. The first thing you need to do is call the police. Whether you want to or not, you need to call 911. An officer will come to the scene and do a thorough investigation of the crash and then create an accident report. Your car accident attorney in Baltimore, Maryland will need the information in this report to prepare your case.

The police will talk to the drivers involved and see if there are any eyewitnesses. They’ll also take down a description of the road conditions and take pictures of the accident scene. They’ll put all of their findings into their report. This accident report will be the most crucial document in your case. 

The second thing you need to do after your accident is go to the hospital. Even if you think you’re fine, the only way to know for sure is to see a doctor. Once they’ve done the necessary tests, they’ll put their findings in your medical records. These records will also be crucial to your case. 

After you’ve received medical treatment for your injuries, you need to let the insurance company know you’ve been in an accident. This will get the ball rolling on your insurance claim.

If you do these three things, you’ll have the best chances of recovering damages from the other driver. You’ll also be giving your personal injury lawyer in Baltimore, Maryland the best chance of finding the evidence to support your claim. Here, we’ll discuss how vital the accident report is. We’ll also explain how you can obtain a copy of this accident report. If you still have questions about your case, just give us a call. We can schedule your free consultation right over the phone.

Why Is the Accident Report So Important to Your Case?

A car accident case is like any other personal injury case. Your car accident attorney in Baltimore, Maryland will have to prove negligence on the part of the defendant. In order to do this, they’re going to need a copy of the police report. This accident report contains valuable information that you won’t be able to get anywhere else. It also offers your attorney insight into what happened.

Some of the information in the accident report is very basic. For example, your lawyer can easily check the police register to see if the other driver was cited for speeding or DUI at the accident scene. They can also take pictures of your car or SUV to show how badly it was damaged. However, there are other pieces of information they would never be able to find on their own. Some of this includes the following:

• The name, contact information, and insurance information for the other driver
• Contact information for any eyewitnesses
• Statements made by these witnesses
• The statements provided by the drivers at the accident scene
• A description of the road conditions
• A notation of whether there were any intersection video cameras at the crash site

This information is crucial to your case. That’s why it’s important that you know how to get a copy of this accident report.

You Can Obtain a Copy of the Accident Report in a Variety of Ways

If you need to get a copy of the accident report for your case, you should do so as early as possible. It can take up to ten business days to get a copy of the report. This is the case no matter how you request the document. 

In Baltimore, there are two major ways you can request a copy of the report:

• In Person 

If you want to request the accident report in person, you can drive to the Maryland State Police Barracks at 1711 Belmont Ave in Baltimore. Once there, ask for a “Records Request Form.” Once you fill out this form, you’ll be asked to pay a fee of $4. This can be paid via check or money order. 

Once you request the accident report, it will take about 7-10 business days for it to be processed. Before you head back to the barracks to pick up your report, call and make sure it is ready. You can call and inquire at 410-281-2700.

• By Mail 

If you can’t make it to the Maryland State Police barracks, you can always request a copy of the accident report by mail. Go to the police’s website and search for the “Records Request Form.” Print this form out and fill in the necessary information. Make sure to include a check or money order for $4. 

You should also include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want it mailed back to you. Or you can agree to pick up your accident report in person. Send your request to the same address as above – 1711 Belmont Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, 21244. Make your check or money order payable to the “Maryland State Police.”

If you aren’t able to request the form yourself, that’s okay. The police will release a copy of the accident report to the following people or entities:

• Driver or passenger involved in the crash
• Insurance adjuster or insurance carrier representative
• Accident attorney
• Guardian of person involved in the crash
• Law enforcement agency

Contact a Seasoned Car Accident Attorney in Baltimore, Maryland Right Away

If you or your loved one have recently been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you should get a copy of your accident report and contact our office. Even if your injuries were minor, you need to focus on getting better. While you’re doing this, we can get started on preparing your claim. To do this, all you have to do is call our office and speak with one of our staff. 

Our personal injury lawyers in Baltimore, Maryland can find a date and time that works for you to come into the office. Sit down with an experienced car accident attorney. Not only do they know the law, but they also know how to stand up to the insurance companies. Your initial consultation is free, so you don’t have to worry about paying anything upfront.