How To Obtain A Traffic Collision Report from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
If a traffic accident results in injuries or a heavy obstruction of the road, the police will usually come and take down information. A police report consists of witness statements, facts and details about the accident, a diagram or drawing of what occurred, and the police officer’s own opinion on the crash. Because this is essentially a collection of statements, the report itself is inadmissible in court; however, the report can be used as evidence to leverage a claim with an insurance agency if you are pursuing compensation for damages. It can help prove your statements and sway the agent to giving you the settlement you ask for.
Ventura County’s Protocol
If you want to request a police report from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, you can do so in one of two ways: in person or by mail.
To pick up a report in person, you can visit the records unit at the sheriff’s office itself and make a formal request with the clerk on duty. You will likely be asked for your identification and, if the report is available then and there, a small fee. The drawback to requesting reports in person is the time it takes to get to the front desk; often, police departments have long lines, and you may find yourself waiting for hours before getting service.
On the other hand, if you want to avoid the lines, you can send a request by mail. This mailed-in request should contain your request letter stating that you wish to obtain a report, your personal information, a copy of valid identification, details regarding the accident, the report number (if you have it), and a check or money order containing the fee (if there is one).
Keep in mind that these reports may not be available until a few days after an accident happens; the clerk must process and file the report. It can take a few days to a few weeks before a police report is available to be requested.
Legal Authority
Not just anyone can request a police report. You must be involved in the accident in some way, either as a driver, pedestrian, or passenger, and have been affected by the crash. Further, you can have a representative request a report on your behalf – for instance, a lawyer or an insurance agent can ask for the report, but he must have a letter of authorization from you stating that he has permission to do so.
Attorney Assistance
If you are in need of legal representation, an attorney at Normandie Law Firm can help. We can assist you in obtaining a police report to include it in your documents to present to the insurance agency so you can settle your claim. You should not have to worry about having all the necessary files together: let an experienced lawyer take care of it for you.
Call us today to receive a free consultation about your claim. Our lawyers will explain anything you need to know about the legal process and the usages of a police report. As a client of Normandie Law Firm, you would be subject to our zero fee guarantee, which promises that you will pay no expenses out of pocket for our legal services. Our payment only comes if we win your case, and the money is retrieved from the settlement we win for you. Your financial security is important to us. Additionally, if we lose, you owe us nothing at all.
For help obtaining a police report from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, talk to our lawyers at Normandie Law Firm.
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