How long does it take police to investigate a car accident? That depends on several factors, including the following:
How long does it take police to investigate a car accident that only involves property damage? Typically, the investigative process for minor accidents in which no one was injured is fast. In some cases, the police won’t respond to a minor accident not involving injuries, and the individuals involved will instead complete an accident report with the state.
If the police respond to the scene, the investigation will typically be cursory. The officer will ask both drivers what happened from their perspective, look at the damage to each car, speak to any witnesses or passengers, and decide whether to issue a citation to either driver at the scene. In this situation, the police officer’s investigation will likely take less than an hour, and the police report will be available within a few days.
When an accident involves serious injuries or fatalities, the police investigation will likely be much more extensive. The police investigation time can greatly vary in these types of crashes, ranging from a few days to several weeks or longer. If a collision involves multiple vehicles, fatalities, injuries, or the involvement of a semi-truck, the police might involve an accident reconstructionist to determine fault. This process can take weeks or more for the expert to complete their investigation, analyze the facts, and write their report.
If the police believe one driver might be criminally liable, the investigation could take even longer. For example, if a driver is suspected of homicide by vehicle under 90 MGL, part I § 24G, the police will need to investigate to determine whether there is probable cause to believe the driver committed a misdemeanor offense through negligence or a felony offense by being under the influence. Since the prosecutor will take over the matter in a criminal prosecution, the investigation and reports might not be available for a lengthy period.
When someone is seriously injured in a car crash, or a family loses a loved one in a collision they believe was caused by another driver, it can be hard to predict how long the police investigation will take. At the same time, victims who are entitled to step outside of the personal injury protection (PIP) insurance system to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver need to obtain a copy of the police report to start building a strong case.
When this report becomes available, you will need to obtain it to pursue your claim. If the investigating officer determines the other driver was at fault, it could strengthen your claim and provide guidance to your attorney about what happened.
By contrast, if your accident was minor and only involved property damage, you will still need a copy of the police report to file a claim under your no-fault insurance policy. Your insurance company might ask for the report to be kept as a part of their records.
If you suffered serious injuries or lost a loved one in a car crash, you should speak to the experienced car accident lawyers at the law firm of Ellis & Associates. We can evaluate your case and explain the legal options you might have. To get started, call 800-MR-ELLIS or send us a message online.
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