When another person injures you in a car accident, always call the police afterward. The police will investigate the scene, speak to involved parties, and include these details and their observations in a police report.
Getting a police report for a Bayonne accident can be challenging because several police departments operate in the township. Fortunately, our lawyers can help you get your report no matter who investigated your accident and explain how it can help you recover compensation. The Bayonne Police Department investigates most crashes here, and their reports can be requested online. However, you can also get a report online if the NJ State Police drafted the report. We can also help you obtain a copy if the NJ Transit Police took your accident report.
Call Agrapidis & Maroules, P.C. today at (201) 777-1111 for a free case review from our Bayonne car accident attorneys.
Ways to Get a Police Accident Report for a Car Collision in Bayonne, NJ
When someone crashes into you in Bayonne, one of the first steps to take after is to call 911 for help. The police should respond and investigate your accident to draft a report that includes when the accident occurred, where it happened, and who was involved. You will likely need your police report to file an insurance claim, but it can also be incredibly useful in settling a lawsuit. Our Bayonne car accident lawyers can help determine which police department investigated your crash and how to get a report from them. A few law enforcement agencies have overlapping jurisdiction in Bayonne, so who wrote your report depends on where your car accident occurred.
Bayonne Police Department
If your car accident occurred on a typical surface road, the Bayonne Police Department (BPD) likely investigated it. The only way to obtain a BPD police crash report is by submitting a request for public information under the Open Public Record Act (OPRA). This law allows accident victims in Bayonne access public records for examination and copying. An OPRA request must be made in writing and submitted to the BPD for its approval. Any formal writing will usually suffice, but the BPD provides a request form, which you can access online here.
You must provide your personal information and a description of the requested record on the request form. Put as much information about the accident as you can remember so the BPD does not delay finding your report. You must also confirm whether you want your report sent to you by mail or picked up in person. Once your report is ready, you will be notified by phone or mail, so make sure that the information on the request form is correct.
You will be notified of the report fee at that time. The cost of the report varies depending on the accident and its length. The current fee schedule is $0.05 per page. Since most police reports are not too long, the report’s costs should be minimal, but our team can reach out to the BPD to determine a final cost and have it delivered to our office. Reports should be available after a few days, but the BPD has ten business days to complete the request.
If you decide to pick up a copy in person, the BPD headquarters are located at 630 Avenue C, 2nd Floor Bayonne, New Jersey 07002. Be sure to call ahead at (201) 858-6900 to ensure the records division is open and the report is ready for pick.
New Jersey State Police
The New Jersey State Police will typically investigate accidents on certain non-toll highways and toll roads, such as the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. State Police reports for crashes in these locations can be obtained online here after they are approved and ready. First, select whether the accident was on a toll or non-toll road. Next, provide either your case number, license plate number, driver’s license number, or an involved party’s last name and the crash date so we can retrieve your report. If the report is still unavailable, it might not be finalized, so check in a day or two. If it is still not accessible after that, contact our team immediately to get the process moving.
However, reports for car accidents involving fatalities cannot be obtained from the online service above. Instead, you must make an OPRA request online here for State Police reports for fatal crashes.
The costs will vary depending on where your accident occurred. Non-toll road accident reports cost $13, while toll road crash reports cost only $5. Serious and fatal accident reports cost $20 since they are typically longer and include additional documents, like photos and videos.
New Jersey Transit Police Department
If your car accident happened at a train or light rail station in Bayonne, like 45th Street Station, the New Jersey Transit Police Department likely investigated the crash. This small state police service has jurisdiction over NJ transit locations. However, transit police reports can only be obtained by requesting a copy directly from the Records Division. Email njtpdrecords@njtransit.com to get your request started. Be sure to include your name, crash date, phone number, a copy of your identification, and an address where you want your report sent.
What a Police Report is Used for in a Bayonne, NJ Car Accident Case
Besides most insurance companies requiring one before paying compensation, police reports have numerous uses in a legal case. First and foremost, it tells us who should be sued. If multiple drivers were involved in the crash, the report would provide details to give our team an idea of how each one was liable for your damages. It will also provide information about the scene and the other party’s statements if they made any, which can be used against them if they change their story later.
Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys in Bayonne, NJ Today for Help Getting a Copy of Your Report
Call Agrapidis & Maroules, P.C.’s Bayonne personal injury lawyers at (201) 777-1111 for a free case assessment today.