Kentucky’s accident or collision report is officially known as the KSP 74, or Kentucky Uniform Police Traffic Collision Report. Law enforcement officers must use this document to report all road accidents to the state police. The investigating officer at the accident scene records information about the crash in the collision report, which is why it can be a critical document in a car accident case.
Accident reports are usually the starting point for gathering evidence. Your truck accident lawyer can use it to substantiate an injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit. The report can also help prove fault or liability for the accident. You or your attorney can get a report regarding your Kentucky accident online from the Kentucky State Police (KSP).
Where to Request Your Kentucky Accident Report
Accident reports are among the most frequently requested documents from the KSP. You can access your accident report from the KSP post where you reported the accident or order a copy of the report online through the Buycrash website. You can also send an email to ksp.openrecords@ky.gov requesting a copy of the accident report from the KSP Official Custodian of Records.
Obtaining the report online will cost you $10, while a hard copy from the local police will cost you $5. However, you are required to write a request to obtain the report. The written request must include your address and a stamped envelope, enabling the police to mail the accident report to you.
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What Information Is Recorded in a Truck Accident Report?
Crash accident reports in Kentucky typically include the following information:
- Contact information of all the individuals involved in the accident, their phone numbers, names, and addresses
- Driver’s license information
- Registration numbers, plate numbers, model, year, and make of all the vehicles involved in the accident
- Contact details of all drivers’ car insurance providers
- Specific details of damages to the vehicles and other properties, plus their estimated cost of repair or replacement
- The location, date, and time of the truck accident
- Weather conditions and the state of the road when the accident happened
- Information on traffic lights, stop signs, and traffic control devices at the accident scene
- A detailed illustration and a written description of the truck accident
- Information about any fines or tickets issued by the responding officer and why
Why Is a Truck Accident Report So Important?
Having a police report detailing your accident when filing an insurance claim or lawsuit is vital for several reasons, including:
- Reporting an accident is a requirement by law. A copy of an accident report is crucial because it’s evidence that you followed the law. After you’re involved in an accident, you are required to notify the sheriff’s office or local police department immediately through the fastest means of communication.
- An accident report shows a connection. Another important reason for reporting your accident is that the collision report shows a connection between your accident and the injuries and damages you’re claiming compensation for. If you don’t have a police report, the insurance adjuster may question the credibility of your case.
- An accident report may help prove liability. An accident report might also include important information about who the police believe is responsible for the accident. The report will also record injuries, vehicle damage, when and where the accident occurred, and eyewitness contact information. It might even have an illustration of the accident scene.
- Provides proof an accident occurred. An accident report provides basic information about where and when the accident occurred and identifies the individuals involved. The information in the report is a starting point for your lawyer to begin independent investigations.
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What if Your Accident Report Doesn’t Help Prove Liability?
In some cases, the accident report fails to include important details about the other driver’s behavior before the accident. For example, the driver might have been texting or talking on their phone before the accident, yet no tickets were issued for texting while driving.
In situations where the accident report fails to describe the other party’s fault or the police didn’t issue any tickets, your lawyer can investigate other sources of evidence to prove liability by:
- Interviewing the eyewitness at the accident scene to get their account of events
- Consulting an accident reconstruction expert
- Using footage from traffic cameras or photos
- Requesting local businesses with CCTV cameras near the accident scene for video footage
Your truck accident attorney will look into your case and collect sufficient evidence to identify the party at fault so that you can receive the compensation you deserve.
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Contact Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help
If you’re having difficulties obtaining a copy of your truck accident report after your truck accident in Kentucky, contact Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers for legal help. We shall obtain the report and collect evidence to hold the parties at fault accountable. Call us today for a free case review and more information.
Call or text 800-333-9999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
