What if the police report is wrong about my car accident in North Carolina?
Police reports can be crucial evidence for your car accident case, but they’re not foolproof. The responding officer may misunderstand events, overlook key facts, or make a clerical error, leaving you with an inaccurate report.
Some common police report errors include:
- Incorrect vehicle positions
- Inaccurate damage descriptions
- Wrong contact or insurance information
- Inaccurate fault assessment
- Missing witness statements
To address an inaccurate report, you and your attorney should:
- Gather evidence. Collect accident scene photos and videos, traffic camera footage, vehicle repair orders, and other evidence that confirms the inaccuracy in the police report.
- Contact the responding officer. Politely explain the mistake and provide supporting documentation. Some departments allow officers to amend a report or provide a supplemental one.
- Submit a written statement. Sharing your version of events by submitting a written statement can add your account to the official record and help offset the weight of the inaccurate police report, particularly if you have evidence to support your claim.
- Contact a lawyer. An experienced North Carolina car accident lawyer can help you address an inaccurate report by gathering evidence and effectively presenting it to the insurance company or in court.
