You might decide to pursue compensation for your car accident injuries if they were the result of someone’s negligent actions. If law enforcement was called to the scene of the accident, the official police/accident report they create could be strong evidence in your personal injury claim or lawsuit. If you were injured in an accident in Rhode Island and need to obtain that accident report, here’s how you can request it.
If you have pressing questions, don’t hesitate to contact us immediately. Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. has the experience your case needs.
Where Can You Get a Copy?
Each state has a different process for requesting an accident report. In Rhode Island, you can request an accident report in one of two ways: online or by mail.
To request an accident report online, you can visit a national accident report database online at buycrash.com. You should reference the information provided to you by the state trooper who responded to the accident you were involved in. The officer probably gave you a card with the accident or crash report number or ID.
When you go to buycrash.com, along with the accident report number, you’ll need to enter your name, the police department where the trooper who responded to the accident worked, and the date and location of the accident. You should then be able to locate and purchase your accident report.
If the accident you were in didn’t result in a fatality or isn’t currently under investigation, you should be able to obtain the accident report on buycrash.com three days after the accident occurred.
The other option you have to obtain the accident report is by mail. You should address an envelope to yourself along with a money order or check for $15 and a statement containing the accident report number, date of the accident, and the other driver’s name. Place the self-addressed envelope, money order, and identifying details inside another envelope addressed to:
- Rhode Island State Police: Accident Bureau
- 311 Danielson Pike
- North Scituate, RI 02857
If you have more questions, we’re here to help. Contact us today.
What Else Do I Have to Do to Obtain Compensation for My Injuries?
When you’re seeking compensation for your car accident injuries, the first thing you should do is hire an experienced car accident attorney. Obtaining full and fair compensation for your injuries may seem relatively easy. After all, you just have to file a personal injury claim, right? Pursuing compensation is actually a more complicated process than many think, and you’ll greatly benefit from hiring a skilled car accident attorney to handle your case.
After you hire your attorney, they’ll begin building your personal injury claim by thoroughly investigating the accident, collecting any evidence that supports your claim, and determining the value (or how much compensation you should receive) of your claim. The investigation is important because you need to determine who was responsible for the accident. The party that caused the accident is the party who would be liable for causing your injuries. Your attorney needs to understand all the facts of your case.
Once your attorney has gathered all the facts and evidence in your case, they can file your personal injury claim with the responsible party’s insurance company on your behalf. No estimation can be made about how long this process will take. Some claims are resolved quickly, while others can take quite some time.
The insurance company is going to conduct its own investigation of the car accident. Their main objective is to resolve your claim by paying you the least amount of compensation possible. Your attorney’s objective will be to negotiate with the insurance company to get them to offer you a settlement that’s consistent with the value of your claim.
There is no guarantee that the negotiations will be successful. If the insurance company is unwilling to pay you a fair settlement, you have the option of taking legal action against the negligent driver directly by filing a personal injury lawsuit. Lawsuits are challenging and require you to have a highly qualified attorney who has litigation experience, so you have the best chance of being successful in your case.
Additionally, lawsuits are an unpredictable process. Many lawsuits take months or years to reach a conclusion. Your attorney can prepare you for the most likely possibilities and will guide you through every step of the lawsuit. Finally, if your case reaches trial, your attorney will argue your case. A jury or judge will make the final decision about whether you’re owed compensation for your injuries and how much compensation to award you.
Contact the Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. Today
To pursue the compensation you deserve for your car accident injuries, call the Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. today at (401) 751-8855, or reach out to us online. Our experienced Providence car accident attorneys are here to help you get justice.
Related reading: How to Read an Accident Report
