Following a car accident, people often have questions about the police report. This document contains information that one or more insurance adjusters will use to determine fault in the collision, and some may wonder what it says.
It’s not unusual for injured people to be unsure of fault or incorrectly assume they caused the accident.
Utah’s required Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covers car accident-related medical bills of up to $3,000 regardless of fault. However, if your medical bills exceed this amount or your injuries fall into one of the other exceptions, you may need to prove fault to get your medical costs and other expenses covered.
For this reason, we recommend obtaining a copy of the police report and speaking with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
The team at Valley Law Accident and Injury Lawyers is always available for a free consultation about your police report and car accident. Please contact us today to get answers to your questions and learn more about the options for seeking compensation.
How Do You Get a Clearfield Police Department Car Accident Report?
The Clearfield City Police Department offers an online form to request reports here, with an additional option to print a paper copy.
First, you will be asked for your name, date of birth, and contact information. Next, you’ll need to describe your relationship to the accident.
Utah’s privacy laws prevent releasing records to those not directly involved in an accident or representing an involved person. However, you should be able to access the records if you were a driver, passenger, vehicle owner, or a party otherwise injured in the accident.
Parents or legal guardians of an involved minor can also request a report.
Later, the form asks for a case or citation number. The responding officer typically provides this, so you may need to look for any paperwork you received after the accident.
If you can’t find it, provide as much information as possible in the box asking for details. Start with the accident’s date, approximate time, and location, including the nearest cross street or mile marker. This will make it easier to locate the record.
Once your record is found, the report will cost $25. This includes the police report, DI9 (if applicable), and attachments.
Sometimes, the attachments may include photos from the scene, which could be useful.
However, it’s hard to know what the officer will be able to photograph, so we recommend taking your own pictures at the accident scene if possible. Try to take photos of the damage to both vehicles from as many different angles as you can, then get pictures of the surrounding area.
It’s also imperative to capture any tire marks on the highway or damage to nearby structures.
The request form asks how you would like to receive the report, with email, mail, or in-person pickup options. Email will probably be the fastest way to get your report.
You also have the option to request a digital file on USB, paper copies, or both.
Once the form is finished, you can submit it online. If you prefer a paper copy, you should mail it to or drop it off at:
City Hall
55 S. State Street
Clearfield, UT 84015
The Clearfield City Police Department advises that requests can take up to ten days to process. If it has been longer than that, you can inquire about your request by calling (801) 525-2812 or emailing records@clearfieldcity.org.
What Happens if the Other Driver Claims You Are at Fault?
The responding officer will take statements from both drivers, look for evidence at the scene, and try to determine all contributing factors. In many collisions, both drivers made mistakes and shared some fault for the accident.
In others, the officer may determine that one driver was solely at fault.
If you believe the report incorrectly blames you, the next step should be to talk with an attorney. Sometimes, ascertaining fault can be difficult if the drivers have substantially different accounts and other evidence is lacking.
The officer will do their best to find the truth, but it’s not always possible in these situations.
Fortunately, your car accident lawyer can challenge a police report if we find additional evidence that the other driver is at fault. The sooner you contact us, the more likely other evidence will still be available.
If your medical bills are below $3,000 and you don’t meet any other criteria for an at-fault claim, the simplest solution is to use your PIP coverage, which should cover your injuries regardless of fault.
What if You Think You Caused the Accident?
You should answer the responding officer’s questions honestly, but there is no reason to share your opinion on fault. Remember that it’s often difficult to determine what happened from your own limited perspective.
It’s also helpful to understand that you can be partially at fault under Utah’s comparative negligence laws but still recover compensation from the other driver’s insurance policy. If you are less than 50 percent responsible, you will lose your own percentage of fault but can recover the rest of your damages.
However, an insurance adjuster may overestimate your portion of responsibility, so it’s essential to consult an experienced attorney who can fight for a fair assessment.
Where Can You Get Help With Your Car Accident Claim?
The Valley Law Accident & Injury Lawyers team is dedicated to assisting you with your car accident or personal injury case throughout Clearfield, Salt Lake City, and across Utah. Reach out to us today for a complimentary consultation, where we will evaluate your accident report and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
If we represent you, there are no fees unless we successfully win or settle your case.
Valley Law was established by attorney Brigham Richards, who has been passionately representing injured individuals and their families since 2012. His practice is built on a foundation of responsibility, and he treats each client as his top priority.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Mr. Richards is committed to helping his clients achieve the most favorable settlement possible following a personal injury. Call his team of experts today at (801) 810-9999.
