How to obtain and read your Nebraska car accident report
If you were recently involved in a car accident, the aftermath can be extremely frustrating. You're dealing with damages to your car, hospital bills and lost time at work. If you expect the other driver's insurance company to compensate you for your damages, you must prove that the other driver's negligence led to your crash. Proving fault in a crash isn't easy and insurance companies don't readily hand over their money. Your case requires an in-depth investigation from an experienced car accident lawyer. One of the key pieces of evidence used to build strong legal claims is the official Nebraska car accident report.
You can get a certified copy of your official car accident report from the Nebraska Department of Transportation for a fee of $13 (plus tax) by mailing your payment to:
Highway Safety
P.O. Box 94759
Lincoln, NE 68509
You can also get a copy of your report online or your attorney can get a copy for you.
What will I find in my Nebraska car accident report?
Your Nebraska car accident report will consist of two pages. The first page will include:
- Crash date, time and location
- If the crash was a hit-and-run
- Driver information, such as name, contact information and insurance information
- Vehicle information, such as the make, model, color, license plate and VIN
- Injuries sustained by drivers, car occupants or other parties involved in the crash
The second page will include:
- A written narrative of how the officer believed the crash occurred
- An illustrated diagram of how the crash likely occurred
- Property owner information and estimated damage
- Vehicle movement prior to the crash
- Point of impact of both cars and most damaged areas
- If an airbag was deployed
- If anyone was wearing a seatbelt
- Whether or not either driver was tested for drugs and/or alcohol
- Name and information of the investigating officer
What if my official Nebraska car accident report contains inaccurate information?
When police draft up an official car accident report, they sometimes get certain information wrong. This can include your personal information, the cause of the crash, or details in the crash narrative. It's important that you review the details in your car accident report and ensure that all of the information is correct. It's also important to point out that the other driver's insurance company will also likely get a copy of your car accident report. Insurance companies can leverage inaccurate information against your claim. If you have noticed that any information on your report is incorrect, an attorney at Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. can fight to get it fixed.
In some cases, the police officer who investigated your crash will claim that you were at fault in the narrative and crash diagram. If this happens, let your attorney know promptly. We can conduct a thorough investigation into your crash and uncover evidence proving that the other driver was at fault. This may include (but is not limited to), physical evidence collected by a crash reconstruction expert, statements from witnesses, surveillance camera footage and/or cellphone records.
Do I need my report to pursue a claim?
Just because you don't yet have a copy of your Nebraska car accident report, doesn't mean you can't get started on your claim. The Omaha attorneys at Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. often start on car accident cases when the police report isn't yet available. We can get a copy of it once it does become available.
If you haven't already done so, we urge you to report your crash to your insurance company. Stick only to the facts and keep your comments brief when talking to your insurance company. If you get a call from an adjuster from the other driver's insurance company, it's best to refrain from speaking to them. Anything you tell the adjuster can be misconstrued as admitting fault and used against you. Simply tell them that you have sought legal help and if they have any questions, they can ask your lawyer.
You should also seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. We often see people sustain injuries with delayed symptoms, such as whiplash and concussions. Your doctor may uncover and diagnose an underlying injury that you weren't aware of. Seeing a doctor promptly also makes it difficult for the other driver's insurance company to argue that your injury wasn't connected to the crash.
The legal team at Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. can sit down with you and go over your options during a free consultation. Contact us online or call us to get started.
