Filing a police report is required under Michigan law after a serious car wreck or truck accident, and this document can be one of the most important pieces of information in a personal injury case. However, many people are unaware of what goes into a Michigan car accident police report or how to get a copy of the report for their injury claim. We are here to help.
Michigan Police Report Laws
According to Michigan law, a person is required to file a police report for a car accident if they are involved in a crash that results in over $1,000 in property damage, injury to any person involved in the accident, or a death. The accident must be reported immediately, or as soon as possible after the crash at the most convenient police station or to the nearest police officer. The police officer taking the report will fill out a document known as a UD-10 Traffic Crash Report. The police officer will give you the incident report associated with the UD-10 Traffic Crash Report.
What’s in a Michigan Police Report?
A Michigan UD-10 Traffic Crash Report contains many important pieces of information for a personal injury claim. It is also important to get a copy of the police report to ensure that all the information in the report is accurate. Police officers sometimes make mistakes when recording the details of a crash, so it is critical to make sure that everything is correct. A UD-10 Traffic Crash Report often includes the following:
- Names and contact information of drivers
- Insurance information for all parties
- Identification of the at-fault driver
- Names and contact information of witnesses
- The date and time of the accident
- Diagrams and narratives about the accident
- Types of injuries and property damage sustained in the accident
- Road type, road condition, and weather conditions
- The officer’s opinions as to how the crash occurred
How to Get a Michigan Car Accident Police Report
In order to get a copy of the police report associated with your vehicle accident, you can request a copy of the UD-10 Traffic Crash Report from the Michigan State Police or the local police department that investigated the accident.
To request a UD-10 Traffic Crash Report from the Michigan State Police:
- Go to michigan.gov/msp and click “Traffic Crash Reports” under “Popular Online Services”
- Register to use the system
- Click on “MSP Records Request”
- Complete the form to request and pay for a State of Michigan Traffic Crash Report (UD-10)
To request a UD-10 Traffic Crash Report from a local police department:
- Contact the local government records clerk
- Ask about their Freedom of Information Act policies as they relate to Traffic Crash Reports
- Follow the clerk’s instructions to request the Traffic Crash Report under their Freedom of Information Act policy
Contact an experienced attorney to discuss your case
If you need additional help getting a Michigan car accident police report, contact an experienced Michigan car accident attorney at Conybeare Law. A vehicle accident is a scary, painful, and traumatic experience. It can be difficult to know who to talk to after a crash, but having an experienced Michigan injury lawyer can help alleviate much of the stress and uncertainty that comes after an accident. The knowledgeable car accident lawyers at Conybeare Law Office will help you understand your rights so you feel like you are in control, and they will fight to get you the money you deserve. To learn more about the wide range of legal services offered to our Michigan car accident clients, talk to our office today. Conybeare Law Office has offices in Saint Joseph and Kalamazoo, Michigan, and proudly serves all of southwest Michigan and beyond. Call or contact us for a free consultation. Remember, if it’s not fair, call the bear.