How to Get a Police Report for a Car Accident in Shreveport

As personal injury lawyers, we at Ford Injury Firm have helped countless Shreveport residents deal with the aftermath of car accidents. One question we hear all the time is, “How do I get a copy of the police report for my crash?”

Obtaining this critical document can feel like a hassle, but it doesn’t have to be. In this post, we’ll break down the process step by step and explain why having your accident report is so important.

Why You Need a Police Report After a Shreveport Car Accident

First things first: if you’ve been in a collision, filing a police report isn’t optional – it’s a must. Louisiana law requires you to report any crash that results in injury, death, or property damage over $500.

But beyond just complying with the law, there are very good reasons to make sure the police document your accident:

1. Insurance claims: When you file a claim with your insurer (or the at-fault driver’s carrier), one of the first things they’ll ask for is the police report. This document helps establish the basic facts of the crash and can be key to getting your claim approved and paid.
2. Legal cases: If you end up needing to file a personal injury lawsuit, your lawyer will definitely want to see the police report. It can provide crucial details and evidence to help build your case.
3. Fault determination: Police reports often include the responding officer’s initial assessment of who was at fault for the crash. While not always the final word, this can carry real weight with insurance adjusters.
4. Accurate documentation: Memories fade fast after a traumatic event like a car accident. A police report creates a timely, objective record of what happened, which is much more reliable than trying to recall details weeks or months later.

Bottom line: if you’ve been in a Shreveport car accident, getting your hands on the police report should be a top priority. So how do you do it?

Getting Your Accident Report from Shreveport Police

If your crash happened within Shreveport city limits and Shreveport Police Department (SPD) officers responded, there are several ways to request a copy of the report:

1. In person: Head down to the SPD Information Services Bureau at 1234 Texas Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71101. Bring the accident’s date, location, and report number, plus the full names of the drivers involved. Reports are usually available in 3 business days (72 business hours).
2. By mail: If you’d prefer, you can mail in your request to the address above. Include the same key details (date, location, report number, drivers’ names), plus your own name and mailing address. The SPD will process your request and send the report to the address provided.

There is a small fee for police reports, typically $10-$15, depending on the number of pages. Reports requested by mail may have an added cost for postage.

Requesting Accident Reports from the Louisiana State Police

If your accident happened outside Shreveport on a state highway or interstate, it was probably handled by the Louisiana State Police (LSP) rather than SPD. In that case, you’ll need to go through a slightly different process:

1. By mail: Send a written request to:

Louisiana State Police Evidence Custodian of South Records P.O. Box 66614 #A-11 Baton Rouge, LA 70896

Include the following:

• Date, time, and location of the crash
• Names of drivers involved
• Your full name and mailing address
• A check or money order for $18 (for a photocopy of the report with pictures) or $9 (without pictures), payable to “Louisiana Department of Public Safety”
• A self-addressed stamped envelope for them to mail your report back to you
• In person: You can also request LSP accident reports in person at State Police Headquarters at the above address. You’ll still need to provide all the same info and payment. Reports are available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

LSP requests can take a few weeks to process, so be prepared to wait a bit longer than you would for an SPD report.

I Have My Accident Report – Now What?

Once your report arrives, review it carefully to make sure all the details are correct – things like the date, time, location, vehicle info, driver and witness statements, and the officer’s narrative of what happened.

If you spot any errors, reach out to the responding agency right away to get them fixed. Even small mistakes can cause big hassles with your insurance claim or legal case down the line.

It’s also smart to make a few copies of the report to have on hand. You’ll probably need to provide it to your insurance company, doctor, employer, and maybe even your car accident lawyer, so having spares can save you time and trouble.

Get Help Making Sense of Your Accident Report

Police reports are vitally important, but the truth is, they can also be confusing. If you’re not used to reading them, the codes, abbreviations, and legalese can feel like a foreign language.

That’s where an experienced car accident attorney can make a world of difference. At Ford Injury Firm, we know exactly what to look for in police reports and how to use them to build strong, compelling cases for our clients.

More than that, we can take on the burden of dealing with the insurance company and their army of adjusters, so you can focus on getting better. With our No Fee Guarantee, you pay nothing upfront to hire us and owe no attorney fees unless and until we recover money for you.

If you’ve been hurt in a Shreveport car wreck, don’t navigate the claims process alone. Contact Ford Injury Firm today to schedule a free consultation and case review. We’re ready to put our knowledge and resources to work for you.