When police respond to a car accident in Washington, D.C., an officer will draft a police accident report (PD-10). Parties involved in the accident can contact the Public Documents Section of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to request a copy of their PD-10. Individuals can submit requests via e-mail, the post office, or in person at MPD headquarters.
Police accident reports serve as critical evidence in auto accident claims, and obtaining a copy of the PD-10 from your crash is a crucial first step in pursuing compensation. A Washington, D.C., car accident lawyer can help you prepare and submit a request for a copy of the PD-10 or request a copy of the accident report on your behalf.
Where Do You Go to Get the Police Report in Washington, D.C.?
The Public Documents Section of the MPD maintains records of all accident reports/PD-10s drafted by officers for motor vehicle crashes in the District of Columbia. The Section only provides copies of police reports to first parties, which include those involved in the motor vehicle accident, their attorneys or other legal staff, or an investigator hired by an involved party. Anyone else who wants to obtain a copy of an Accident Report must file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the MPD.
Washington, D.C. residents can request a copy of a PD-10 by e-mailing their request to the Public Documents Section at mpd.public-docs@dc.gov. Residents may also call MPD to schedule an appointment or request a PD-10 in person at MPD Headquarters.
A request for a PD-10 must include specific information, including:
- The requester’s full name
- The date of the car crash
- The time the collision occurred
- The accident location
- The six-digit report number (CCN) — the Accident Report’s identifying number
- A copy of a valid government-issued photo I.D. (scanned images or digital photographs acceptable)
- A copy of a completed P.D. Form 10B – Application for P.D. Form 10 Accident Report (scanned image or digital photo acceptable)
When requesting in-person, individuals should bring their government-issued photo ID with them.
How Do You Get a Police Report if You Do Not Live in the D.C. Area?
People who do not reside in Washington, D.C., or who cannot request an Accident Report in person can e-mail the MPD’s Public Documents Section or mail a request for the PD-10 at:
Metropolitan Police Department
Public Documents Section
ATTN: Accident/Incident Reports
441 4th Street, N.W., Room 550 South
Washington, DC 20001
Mail-in requests should include the same information as an emailed request, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the MPD to return your copy of the PD-10 to you. Mail-in requests typically take six weeks to process.
Is There a Fee for the Police Report?
The MPD does not usually charge first parties a fee to request a copy of the Accident Report. Insurance companies are charged $3 per report requested.
Why Do You Need the Police Report?
Police accident reports frequently serve as critical evidence in car accident claims. Insurance companies may delay or deny claims without a police report, which gives a detailed, objective account of the collision. Police officers receive training in investigating motor vehicle accidents and know what details and evidence they should document from the crash scene. Officers also serve as neutral parties, providing an objective third-party perspective in car accident cases where drivers might otherwise dispute fault for the crash.
A police accident report contains various pieces of information, such as:
- The names and contact information of every party involved in the car crash
- The insurance information for each driver
- The make, model, and color of each vehicle
- The date, time, and location of the wreck
- The position of each driver and passenger in their vehicles
- A description and diagram of the damage sustained by each vehicle
- A description of any injuries suffered by involved persons
- A diagram of the accident scene
- Any arrests or citations made
- The sequence of events in the auto accident
- A written narrative of the crash, which may contain the officer’s opinion as to which driver or party caused the collision
Police accident reports help insurance adjusters, accident reconstruction experts, and jurors piece together what happened in a car accident and identify the party(s) responsible for causing it. Without a police report, you may have difficulty proving who is to blame for your car accident injuries.
Can a Car Accident Lawyer Get the Police Report?
A Washington, D.C., car accident attorney can request a copy of the police report on your behalf. When your Washington DC personal injury lawyer requests the accident report, they must submit a copy of your signed retainer agreement or a notarized document signed by you authorizing your lawyer to obtain a copy of the police report. Contact our Washington DC car accident attorney today.
Contact a Washington, D.C., Car Accident Lawyer
Have you been hurt in a car crash in Washington, D.C.? You shouldn’t have to worry about requesting a police report while recovering from your injuries. The car accident attorneys at Marks & Harrison can take care of everything for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
