Can You Appeal an Accident Report if You Disagree with the Police Officer’s Assessment?

Can You Appeal an Accident Report if You Disagree with the Police Officer’s Assessment?

Filing a successful personal injury claim after a car accident often depends on proving fault, and one of the most influential pieces of evidence is the official police crash report. However, while these reports are important, they are not always completely accurate in describing what happened or who was responsible.

Attorney Steve Fleschner explains, “A police report is an important document, but it is not the final word on fault in a personal injury case.”

So, what can you do if you believe the crash report is incorrect and unfairly assigns you blame? Fortunately, there are steps you can take to challenge or correct inaccuracies.

First, get a copy of the report

Your first step is to review exactly what the report says. Even if you believe there are errors based on what happened at the scene, you won’t know for sure until you obtain and carefully review the official document.

In Indiana, crash reports can be requested through the state’s official system for a small fee. Once obtained, you can review the officer’s findings, statements, and any assigned fault.

Next, identify what type of errors exist

Errors in police reports typically fall into two categories:

Factual errors – These are objective mistakes that can often be corrected easily. Examples include incorrect vehicle information, wrong crash location, inaccurate time of the incident, or the number of vehicles involved.

Judgment calls or misinterpretations – These are more subjective and may include how the officer interpreted statements, assigned fault, or summarized witness accounts. These are generally more difficult to change because they are based on opinion rather than objective fact.

Then, provide documentation to support corrections

If you find errors, you can contact the officer who completed the report. Their name and badge number are typically listed on the report itself.

Factual mistakes can often be corrected by providing supporting documentation such as photos,
insurance information, or other verified details from the scene.

More subjective issues may require stronger evidence. Dashcam footage, surveillance video, and body camera recordings (if available) can help clarify what actually occurred and may support a request for review or amendment.

When to involve an attorney

Correcting a police report can be challenging, especially when fault is disputed. Insurance companies often rely heavily on these reports when evaluating claims, which can make errors particularly impactful.

At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, our goal is to ensure that accident claims are evaluated based on the full facts. not just initial impressions at the scene. We gather evidence, analyze reports, and work to present a clear and accurate picture of what actually happened.

If you believe your accident report is incorrect, contact our office for a free consultation. We are here to help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.