What is the Police Accident Report and Why It is Important

Have you been injured? Call or text Hessig & Pohl at 502-777-1111

The first question people ask after a car accident is, what caused the crash? This is an important question as often the reason for the accident dictates the ability of a plaintiff to be awarded compensation for injuries. This also is one of the first questions a Hessig & Pohl car accident attorney is going to ask when you sit down for your initial free consultation and talk about your case. Knowing the answer to that question allows your attorney to help you pursue compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost income, and vehicle damages.

After a Kentucky auto accident, the first thing you need to obtain is a copy of the police accident report, as it identifies what factors contributed to the accident. You can get the report, but if you are unable, your attorney can do it for you. Your attorney will be able to recover the report much faster.

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) report may show up to three driver factors for each driver involved, two vehicle factors for each vehicle and two environmental factors.

The most common driver factors cited as causing an accident include, but are not limited to:

  • Distracted driving
  • Drowsy driving
  • Impaired driving and speeding

Distracted driving includes cellphone usage or inattention. Drowsy driving can include falling asleep, driving while fatigued or a loss of consciousness. Impaired driving can be due to alcohol or drug use or medication.

The KSP report can include notations for other forms of aggressive or reckless driving. These can involve weaving back and forth in traffic, failing to yield, improperly passing, following too close or ignoring traffic signals.

Vehicle factors cited in the report may include:

  • Defective shoulders/drop-off
  • Deep ruts/bumps/pothole
  • Traffic controls not working or not working properly
  • Utility work/maintenance zone
  • Fixed objects
  • Lighting defects (external)
  • Lighting defects (headlights)
  • Overweight loads
  • Oversized loads
  • Defective brakes
  • Tire failure
  • Steering failure
  • Separation of units/defective tow hitch
  • Improperly secured load

Environmental factors may include:

  • Animal/wildlife action
  • Slippery road surface
  • Glare
  • Roadway debris
  • Hydroplaning
  • Obstructed limited view
  • Construction zone
  • Improperly parked vehicle(s)

When Hessig & Pohl obtain your car accident report and can see what the police have cited as factors that may have caused the collision, they will make sure to follow-up further into the investigation of the crash. That typically means your Hessig & Pohl car accident attorney works to get accident scene pictures, talks to an accident reconstruction specialist, tracks down witnesses to get statements and retrieves cellphone and black box data.

Hessig & Pohl do not quit when you need them the most. They pursue justice to make sure you are taken care of and receive fair and equitable compensation for your injuries. At Hessig & Pohl, we understand the ins and outs of handling car accidents, and we take a comprehensive approach to accident investigation. We work with a team of professionals to develop the best strategy to protect your rights and achieve a fair settlement. Call us today for your free consultation at (502) 777-1111.

by HP Migration | Jan 28, 2020 | 

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