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After a car accident, the police report provides an important record of what happened. It may identify drivers and witnesses, document conditions at the scene, and provide evidence when an insurance company disputes how the crash occurred.
Fortunately, getting a copy is usually straightforward once you know which agency investigated the collision. If you are having trouble locating your report, the Iowa car accident lawyers at MSMC Injury Lawyers can request it for you and review it for information that may affect your injury claim.
Why Is a Police Report Important After an Iowa Car Accident?
A police report creates an official record of the collision based on the responding officer’s investigation.
Depending on the crash, it may contain information such as:
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- Names and contact information for the drivers
- Vehicle and insurance information
- Road, traffic, and weather conditions
- Statements from drivers and witnesses
- Reported injuries
- Diagrams or descriptions of how the crash occurred
- Traffic citations or other observations made by the officer
Insurance adjusters may also review the police report when investigating a claim. If the other driver disputes what happened, information recorded at the scene can provide valuable evidence.
When Do You Have to Report an Accident in Iowa?
The Iowa Department of Transportation advises drivers to contact the nearest law enforcement agency when a crash causes death, personal injury, or at least $1,500 in total property damage. Iowa law requires drivers to immediately notify law enforcement when an accident causes injury or death.
If law enforcement does not investigate the crash, the driver must submit an Iowa Accident Report to the DOT within 72 hours. Failure to submit the required report may result in suspension of driving privileges.
You do not need to file this separate driver report when a law enforcement agency investigated the collision and filed its own report.
How Do I Get a Copy of an Iowa Accident Report?
If city police or a county sheriff responded, start by contacting that department’s records division. Ask how to request a motor vehicle accident report and what information or identification you will need.
If the Iowa State Patrol investigated the collision, you can search for crash information through the Iowa State Patrol Crash Reports portal. If you need additional information or an older report, you may need to contact the appropriate Iowa State Patrol district office.
You can also request a copy of the investigating officer’s report through the Iowa DOT.
The process involves completing the following steps:
- Complete the Request for Copy of Investigating Officer’s Report of an Accident form.
- Print and sign the form.
- Mail the completed request to the Iowa DOT with the required fee.
The Iowa DOT currently charges $4 for an officer’s accident report. The processing fee is not refunded if the DOT cannot locate a crash report based on the information you provide. State law limits access to people involved in the accident, their attorneys, insurance companies, and insurance agents.
Providing accurate information about the crash, including the date, location, and people involved, can make it easier to locate the correct report.
What Information Do I Need to Request an Accident Report?
The exact requirements vary by agency, but it helps to have as much information about the crash as possible, including:
- The date and location of the accident
- Names of the drivers involved
- The accident or incident number, if available
- The investigating officer’s name or agency
- Information showing your connection to the accident
Double-check names, dates, and other details before submitting your request. Incorrect or incomplete information can make it harder for the agency to locate the report.
What If I Don’t Know Which Police Department Responded?
If you do not know which agency responded, start with the location of the collision. Local police may have investigated a crash within city limits, while a county sheriff or the Iowa State Patrol may have handled a crash elsewhere.
If you received paperwork at the scene, check it for the officer’s name, agency, report number, or contact information. Your insurance company may also have information identifying the investigating agency.
Why Isn’t My Accident Report Available Yet?
If you request a report shortly after the accident and cannot find it, the officer may still be completing or processing it. Delays can also occur because of incomplete information, a misspelled name, or a request submitted to the wrong agency.
A police report can be valuable evidence, but it does not necessarily determine who is legally responsible for the crash. The officer may not have witnessed the collision. Additional evidence such as photographs, video footage, vehicle damage, medical records, and witness statements may provide a more complete picture of what happened.
Can a Car Accident Lawyer Get the Police Report for Me?
Yes. Iowa law allows an attorney representing someone involved in the accident to obtain the investigating officer’s report.
A lawyer can identify the appropriate agency, request the report, review it for information that may affect your case, and investigate other available evidence.
This can be particularly valuable when an insurance company disputes fault, questions the seriousness of your injuries, or claims that its policyholder did not cause the crash.
Get Help After an Iowa Car Accident
Getting your accident report is only one step in protecting your rights after a collision. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories can fade, and insurers begin investigating the accident soon after it occurs.
Iowa gives injured people two years to bring a lawsuit for personal injuries under Iowa Code § 614.1, although different deadlines can apply in some cases.
If you were injured in a collision, MSMC Injury Lawyers can obtain your accident report, investigate what happened, and help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to receive. Contact our car accident lawyers to arrange a free, no-obligation case review and learn how we can help protect your rights.
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