How to get a police report after a car accident in Elizabethtown, KY

Get A Police Report After A Car Accident In Elizabethtown, KY

January 24, 2024

To get a police report following an accident in Elizabethtown, KY, you can obtain it in person at the Elizabethtown Police Department for a fee of $5. If your accident report was filed through the Kentucky State Police, you can request a copy by mail. It may take up to 3 business days for your mail request to be processed.

Car accidents can be distressing experiences, and in the aftermath, obtaining a police report is crucial for various reasons. Whether it’s for insurance claims, personal injury claims, or for your own records, having an official account of the incident is invaluable. If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, this guide will walk you through the steps of obtaining a police report or filing an accident report yourself if needed.

If you’ve been injured in a wreck, an experienced Elizabethtown car accident lawyer from our firm can obtain a copy of your collision report for you. Let us get your claim off to the best start possible.

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800-800-4600

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Table of contents

What to do after an auto accident in Elizabethtown, KY

Do you need to file a crash report after a wreck in Elizabethtown?

How to get a copy of the police report from the Elizabethtown Police Department

How long does a police report take?

How to get a copy of the collision report if your crash was investigated by the Kentucky State Police

How to file an accident report with the Kentucky State Police online

How to file a crash report with the Kentucky State Police by mail

How long does a police report from the Kentucky State Police take?

Does and Elizabethtown police report say who was at fault in the accident?

What is in an Elizabethtown crash report?

Are police reports public record in Kentucky?

Do I need a police report to file an insurance claim?

How an Elizabethtown personal injury lawyer can help

 

Immediate steps to take after an accident

After ensuring everyone’s safety and seeking medical attention, if necessary, it’s essential to contact the local authorities to report the accident. The police will arrive at the scene to assess the situation, gather information, and file a report. While on the scene, gather as much information about the accident as possible. This information includes the names and badge numbers of the responding officers, the accident report number, the contact information of any witnesses, the date of the accident, and the time it occurred.

 

Do I need to file a police report after a car accident in Elizabethtown?

If the police came to the scene to investigate, you do not need to file an accident report on your own. However, if they did not come to the scene, as of 2024, Kentucky law KRS 189.635(4) requires that you file a report within 10 days if:

  • The accident resulted in property damage exceeding $500 and police did not investigate the accident at the scene or,
  • The accident led to personal injury or death for any involved party and police did not investigate the accident at the scene.

If the driver fails to notify or is unable to notify a law enforcement officer with jurisdiction, the owner of the vehicle or any occupant present at the time of the accident assumes this responsibility.

 

How to obtain a copy of the police report from the Elizabethtown Police Department

The Elizabethtown Police Department no longer provides the option to obtain a car accident crash report online. You must visit the department in person.

In Elizabethtown, KY, obtaining a copy of the accident report involves a straightforward process. Visit the Elizabethtown Police Department and request the report from the records division. Be prepared to provide details such as:

  • The date of the accident
  • The time of the accident
  • The location of the accident
  • The names of those involved

Elizabethtown Kentucky Police Department

Image source: Google Maps

The Elizabethtown Police Department is located at:

300 S Mulberry St.

Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Make sure to arrive at the Elizabethtown Police Department between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The cost of the report is $5. If you have questions or need additional information, call the department at (270) 360-0207. If you have any questions, you can also email [email protected].

If the police did not respond to the scene of the accident, and the accident resulted in property damage of more than $500 or resulted in an injury or death of any party, you will need to file a report on your own. To file a report, call the Elizabethtown Police Department or visit in person. If you are outside the state, you may ask to file your report to an on-duty officer by telephone as well.

 

How long does a police report take in Elizabethtown, KY?

The time it takes for a collision report to become available in E-town may vary. Please allow 7-10 business days for the report to be processed.

 

How to get a car accident report From Kentucky State Police after a crash in E-town

If a state trooper from Kentucky State Police responded to your crash (for example, if the accident occurred on I-65), you can request a copy from them directly. To request a police report from Kentucky State Police, you must mail in a written request with information about the accident, including your name, the date, and the county or city in which the accident happened. This request can take up to three business days to be processed.

You must mail your request to:

Kentucky State Police Headquarters

ATTN: Open Records

1266 Louisville Rd.

Frankfort, KY 40601

If you have additional questions or concerns, visit the Kentucky State Police Department website.

 

How to file an accident report online through Kentucky State Police

If an officer did not come to the scene of the crash, you can file a civilian collision report online. If the accident involved a personal injury or resulted in any property damage exceeding five hundred dollars ($500), filing a report within ten (10) days is required by law. If you fail to file a report, you are punishable by a $20-$100 fine.

 

How to file an accident report through the Kentucky State Police by mail

To file a Commonwealth of Kentucky Civilian Traffic Collision report by mail, you can download the collision report directly here.

Once completed, mail this form to:

Kentucky State Police

Records Branch

1250 Louisville Road

Frankfort, KY  40601

Do NOT file this report if an officer investigated your crash at the scene.

 

How long does a police report take from the Kentucky State Police?

A report filed through the Kentucky State Police will take approximately 10 days to become available.

 

Does a police report say who was at fault?

Officers evaluate each accident individually. They identify contributing factors but do not assign fault. If you disagree with the final accident report, communicate with the officer to address your concerns; however, the officer holds the ultimate authority in what goes into the report and how it is written.

The police report is a very important document, but it is not the only source of evidence you may have available to you. For example, an Elizabethtown personal injury lawyer may also help by uncovering additional evidence to establish and prove fault in addition to what is included in the police report.

 

What is included in an Elizabethtown police report?

The crash report includes various details about the collision and contributing factors. In E-town, the report may include:

  • The crash location (street, highway, or Interstate).
  • The date, time of the auto accident, and the report date.
  • The accident report number.
  • Extent of damage to vehicles and other property.
  • Type and nature of the collision (for example, if a driver was rear-ended, or if you were sideswiped, or involved in a T-bone accident, etc.).
  • Apparent injuries to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or others.
  • Witness statements and their identifying information.
  • Accounts from drivers regarding their perspective.
  • Environmental and road conditions during the accident.
  • Details perceived by the officer that may have caused the crash, including potential involvement of distracted driving.
  • Other crucial facts about the incident, such as a collision with a commercial truck.

Again, make sure you review the report carefully and ensure that everything is accurate. In a personal injury claim, what is included in the police report can impact how much compensation you’re entitled to under the law.

 

Are car accident reports public record in Kentucky?

Accident reports are not considered public records in Kentucky and are exempt from the Open Records Act. However, KRS 189.635(5)(c) provides that accident reports shall be made available to the following individuals:

  • The parties to the accident;
  • The parents or guardians of a minor who is party to the accident;
  • Insurers or their written designee for insurance business purposes of any party who is the subject of the report;
  • The attorneys of the parties to the accident;

An Elizabethtown personal injury lawyer from our firm can obtain a copy of your report for you. If you’ve been injured, call us today at 800-800-4600.

 

Do I need a police report to file an insurance claim in Kentucky?

Yes. In Kentucky, a police report is required to file an insurance claim for property damage or personal injury. When filing an insurance claim, having a police report is instrumental. Insurance companies rely on this document to assess liability and determine the extent of damages.

A car accident attorney will also require a police report to evaluate your claim so that you can recover every dollar you deserve. Let an experienced injury attorney deal with the insurance company so that you can focus on getting better.

 

An Elizabethtown auto accident attorney can help

If you’ve been injured in a wreck, let our experienced team obtain your accident report for you so that you can get your claim off to the best start possible.

Call us today

800-800-4600

Get it done.

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