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The Difficulty of Obtaining a Police Report Post-Accident

If someone hurts you or hurts your loved one through negligence or wrongdoing, a New York personal injury law firm can provide assistance in making a damage claim. These claims can be made in many different circumstances, from car crashes to slip-and-falls.

If you wish to pursue a case for compensation for serious injury or wrongful death after a car accident, you should be able to make a case against a driver who was at fault for causing the crash, as long as your injuries are serious. It will be up to you to prove the other driver was at fault for causing the motor vehicle accident to occur.

Police reports from the scene of the crash can be important evidence, but a recent New York Times article demonstrates that sometimes obtaining accurate police reports can be a challenge.

When Obtaining a Post-Crash Police Report is Difficult

The New York Times told the story of the aftermath of an accident that demonstrates both the difficulty of getting ahold of a police report and the possibility of mistakes in the report.

The story originated out of an accident in which a 21-year-old senior at Fordham University was hit by a vehicle when she was walking across the street.  She was critically injured, and her sister and friends who witnessed the accident indicate that the driver who hit her ended up just driving off after getting out of his vehicle and looking at the victim for only a second.

The friends of the victim called the police, who sent officers to the hospital to talk with those who had been involved so a report on the accident could be prepared.  When the victim’s stepfather called the local precinct to try to get a copy of the accident report, however, he was repeatedly told that only victims could have access to the report.

Of course, the victim was in the ICU.  Her stepfather made several attempts to at least obtain a case or incident number, but was simply told the victim was the only one entitled to it.

When the stepfather described the accident as a hit-and-run to police, he was also told that there was no record of an accident that was a hit-and-run. Initially, the department suggested he try again several days after his initial call because the report may not have been prepared yet. Unfortunately, the problem wasn’t that the accident hadn’t gotten into the system yet. It would later turn out the report contained wrong information about the driver staying on the scene.

It was not until the stepfather finally got help from a friend who is a judge that he was able to get a copy of the report, thanks to the judge’s intervention.  The fact that the report was wrong when it was received also ended up forcing the stepfather to conduct his own investigation into what occurred.

Not everyone will have a judge who is a friend who can help to obtain copies of police reports, nor will everyone have the resources to conduct an independent crash investigation. You shouldn’t need connections to be able to exercise your legal right to get a police report into your own hands or into the hands of a trusted family member.

Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff can assist you in doing everything possible to obtain a police report and other evidence you need to make the strongest possible claim for compensation following a car crash.  Contact us today to find out more about how an attorney can help you to make your case for compensation.

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April Johnson
April Johnson
15:54 30 Jun 23
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Roberto Martinez
Roberto Martinez
19:02 24 May 23
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Julio Ochoa
Julio Ochoa
20:49 18 May 23
I highly recommend Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP for their outstanding assistance in obtaining a settlement for an Erb's Palsy birth injury case. Their knowledge, dedication, and compassionate attitude were important in attaining a successful end. Their professionalism and assistance were simply outstanding from beginning to end. I am deeply thankful for their representation and would enthusiastically recommend them to anyone seeking justice in a similar situation.
Aisha Neri
Aisha Neri
20:29 18 May 23
I recently had the privilege of working with Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP on my daughter’s birth injury case involving Erb's Palsy, and I cannot express enough gratitude for their exceptional legal services. From the initial consultation to the successful settlement, they demonstrated profound expertise, unwavering dedication, and genuine compassion for my family's situation.From the very beginning, the team proved their commitment to justice. They thoroughly investigated the circumstances surrounding my child Erb's Palsy birth injury, leaving no stone unturned. Their extensive knowledge and understanding of medical malpractice law, coupled with their deep expertise in birth injury cases, provided us with tremendous confidence in their ability to handle our case.The attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff consistently displayed exceptional professionalism and attention to detail throughout the entire legal process. They meticulously gathered evidence, consulted with medical experts, and built a compelling case that clearly outlined the negligence and liability on the part of the medical professionals involved. One aspect that truly stood out was the genuine care and compassion exhibited by Daniel Minc, Lorraine Licul, and the entire team at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff. They treated us not just as clients but as individuals with unique emotions and concerns. They took the time to listen attentively to our worries, provided constant updates on the progress of our case, and promptly responded to our inquiries, ensuring we felt supported and reassured throughout the process. Their empathy and understanding made an immeasurable difference during such a challenging and emotionally taxing time.When it came time to negotiate a settlement, Daniel Minc demonstrated remarkable skill and tenacity. He fought fiercely on our behalf, advocating for fair compensation to cover any potential long-term effects of Erb's Palsy on my child's life. His negotiation skills were truly impressive, as they secured a settlement that exceeded our expectations and provided the financial resources necessary to support my child's future needs.I cannot recommend Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff highly enough to anyone seeking legal representation in Erb's Palsy birth injury cases or any other medical malpractice matters. Their extensive experience, unwavering dedication, and empathetic approach make them an exceptional choice for families navigating the complexities of birth injury litigation. Thanks to Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, my family now has the means to provide the best care and opportunities for my child's future.If you are seeking a law firm that combines legal expertise with genuine compassion, look no further than Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP. They will tirelessly fight for your rights and ensure your voice is heard, providing you with the support and justice you deserve.
Aoki R
Aoki R
17:14 17 May 23
I highly recommend Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP. They are a team of dedicated professionals fully committed to their clients. I have witnessed the firm's amazing work ethic in my experience with their attorneys and Lorraine Licul. Lorraine is a knowledable, empathetic and results-driven professional. Minc is an excellent attorney and I greatly appreciate the firm's expertise.
Michael Levites
Michael Levites
17:42 12 May 23
I have recommended this firm to some of my friends and I heard back only positive feedback about the client responsiveness, diligence and hard work put in by these attorneys. I will continue to refer anyone who suffered a personal injury to Rosenberg Minc..
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