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That threshold can vary depending on whether or not the motorists involved in the accident are insured. In most states, if an accident results in death or injury or property damage exceeds a certain threshold then by law you are required to call the police. If you are involved in an accident, you may need to call the police and file a police report. Note that some police departments call police reports ‘incident reports.’ Remember that some accident reports may also be criminal reports, such as if the accident may have been caused by drunk driving. A police report, meanwhile, can include accident reports, but they cover a much broader range of incidents that may involve the police, including crimes. An accident report is simply a type of police report that details the circumstances of a traffic accident. In fact, there’s not really a difference between these two items.
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Police Reports and Accident ReportsĪnother point that deserves clarification is the difference between a police report and an accident report. A police record, on the other hand, is usually the same as a criminal record and it includes a list and summary of an individual’s history of interactions with law enforcement, including arrests and convictions. A police report is a document filed by a police officer that essentially offers a summary of an arrest, incident, or accident. While these two items have similar names, they are in fact very different. Police Recordįirst, let’s clarify something that is bound to cause some confusion: the difference between a police report and a police record.
#PORTLAND ACCIDENT REPORT FILE HOW TO#
We are going to give a basic rundown of what a police report is, why it’s important, and how to lookup a police report. Police reports are public documents and the information they contain could have an impact on a wide range of things, including finding a job, applying for a loan, or pursuing an insurance claim. Whether you’ve been involved in an accident or you have had a run-in with the law, knowing how to lookup a police report is an important skill.
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