It is easy to feel overwhelmed after a car accident. Between medical care, insurance calls, and the stress of recovering, you probably don’t want to be bothered by paperwork. However, obtaining the official police report is critical to protecting your claim.
Whether your accident happened in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, or anywhere else in Louisiana, here’s what you need to know about getting your report and why it matters.
At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, our Baton Rouge accident lawyers help clients across Louisiana navigate this process every day.
Why the Police Report Matters
When law enforcement responds to a crash, the responding officer prepares a written report about the accident.
Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 32:398, certain accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage must be reported to authorities, and the responding agency issues an official report that provides a documented account of the scene, the parties involved, and often the officer’s assessment of fault.
A typical police report includes:
- Contact and insurance information for everyone involved
- Vehicle descriptions, including make, model, and year
- The exact time and location of the crash
- Witness contact information, if available
- Any citations issued at the scene
- Diagrams, photos, or the officer’s notes on how the crash occurred
Not every report includes a formal fault determination. Still, having a documented, neutral account can strengthen your position when dealing with insurance adjusters. An insurance company may try to twist your words or downplay the crash, but a skilled car accident lawyer can use the official facts in a police report to keep insurance adjusters honest.
Determining What Agency Responded to Your Crash
Before you can request your report, you need to know which agency responded. In Louisiana, that could be a city police department, a parish sheriff’s office, or the Louisiana State Police. Louisiana state troopers typically handle crashes on interstates and major highways, while local departments cover most other roads.
If you’re not sure who responded, the officer at the scene should have given you a card or a case number. If you don’t have that information, you can call the local department to point you in the right direction, or an accident attorney can step in to locate and secure these records on your behalf.
How to Get Your Police Report by Region
Requirements and fees vary depending on which agency responded to your crash.
Baton Rouge
Traffic crash reports are handled by the Baton Rouge Police Department’s Traffic Records Division. Reports cost $7.50, plus $1 per driver or witness statement, and are typically ready in about 10 working days after the crash. You can pick one up in person at Police Headquarters, 9000 Airline Highway, or request one by mail. For questions, call (225) 389-3878.
New Orleans
The New Orleans Police Department makes reports available through its Records and Identification Division, both online and in person at its headquarters. Fees generally range from about $5 to $20, depending on the report length and any accompanying photos, and reports are typically available within 20 to 21 business days. You can reach NOPD Records at (504) 658-5455.
Statewide — Louisiana State Police
If your crash happened on an interstate or another road patrolled by state troopers, your report will come from the Louisiana State Police. LSP reports can be requested online through their statewide crash report portal for $11.50 or in person at a troop headquarters for $16.50.
Other Parishes
If a parish sheriff’s office responded to your crash rather than a city police department, that office’s records division will typically handle your request. Fees and processing times vary by parish, so it’s worth calling ahead to confirm.
What to Do With Your Police Report
Once you receive your report, read it carefully. Mistakes happen and need to be corrected promptly. If you spot an error, you can contact the responding agency about a correction, though departments aren’t always quick to amend reports.
This is one of many reasons it helps to have a car accident lawyer involved early. At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we routinely track down police reports on behalf of our clients across Louisiana and review them closely.
Talk to a Baton Rouge Car Accident Attorney
Obtaining your police report is just one step in building a strong claim after a car accident. At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, our personal injury lawyers will handle that process for you, along with gathering additional evidence, dealing with insurance companies, and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Call us at (225) 999-1111 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule your free consultation with our dedicated car accident attorneys in Baton Rouge. We’re available 24/7, and you pay nothing unless we win.