Car accident victims who report the incident to local or state law enforcement should have a crash report about a week later. This report is created by the responding officer, and it provides valuable information about what happened. As injury attorneys, we use this critical piece of evidence to help us establish liability.
We think everyone should know how to read a Colorado crash report. All police departments in the state use the same form (State of Colorado Traffic Crash Report, DR 3447).
Section One: Basic Information About the Accident
At the top of the Colorado traffic crash report, you will see the basic information about the crash, including the date, the time, the responding officer’s name, and other identifying information. This section also includes important information about injuries, including the number of people hurt and killed, the total number of non-motorists present, and whether any children were involved. It clarifies other details such as:
- Did it happen in a construction zone?
- Did it occur in a school zone?
- What are the specific details about the location?
Section Two: Harmful Sequence Codes
The responding offices will fill in the next section of the report using the codes below. They will also outline which event was the most significant, or caused the most harm.
Each of the codes outlines the specific factors involved, such as striking a bridge or colliding with an animal. It then includes additional details, such as whether there were curves in the road at the time of the crash, the road’s grading, and the lighting conditions. It also allows for clarification of where on the road it occurred (such as at an intersection) and the road conditions (such as icy or snow-covered).
Section Three: In the Event of a Fatality
The next section is only filled out if a person dies as a result of the accident. It documents the time emergency professionals arrived and reached the hospital. It also allows police to document the traffic control device at the scene and determine if it was working or not.
Section Four: Narrative and Diagram
The following screenshots illustrate a section of the crash report that includes both a written description and a diagram of the incident. Even with all of the boxes to check above, the information written here can be critical, because it allows officers to give their impressions about what happened based on what they see and hear. The next section provides a graph that the responding officer can use to document what took place, showing a simple image of what occurred.
Section Five: Vehicle Information and Condition
In the next sections, you’ll see information based on the type of crash that took place. It looks similar to the section we pasted above, but there are a few exceptions.
Collisions With Big Rigs and Commercial Vehicles
If the accident involved a truck or other commercial vehicle, this will be noted on the report. It will outline the special function of the vehicle as well as its size. Here is where we learn whether it was carrying HAZMAT materials, how the driver behaved, whether there were any autonomous capabilities, and more.
Crashes With Non-Motorists
The next section (Traffic Unit/Non-Motorist) is completed in the event of a crash with a non-motorist, such as a pedestrian, scooter rider, or cyclist. It identifies the type of non-motorist, the location of the accident (such as whether it happened on a bike path or a sidewalk), and the type of movement of the non-motorist just before impact, among other factors.
Section Six: Details About Passengers
The next section outlines information about all passengers involved: who they are, where they were, and what happened to them.
Section Seven: Property Damage
This section documents the type of property that was damaged during the process, as well as who owned it. There is also room for a brief description of the damaged property.
Section Eight: “Involved Person Overlay”
In the Involved Person Overlay, the crash report breaks down more information that’s often critical to the cause of the accident. It will outline details such as:
Driving restrictions and endorsements for the drivers involved
- If ejection took place
- Which airbags deployed, if any
- If anyone was tested for alcohol, marijuana, or other impairment, and what the outcomes of those tests were
- If safety equipment (such as restraints) were in place and being used
- The expected severity of the injuries
Do I Really Need to Report a Car or Truck Accident?
You absolutely do need to report an accident with a car or truck. Colorado is a comparative negligence state. This means that you can still recover damages if you were less than 50% responsible for the accident. Documenting the crash and what happened helps build the evidence needed to evaluate fault and liability.
Insurance companies often try to shift undue fault onto victims to limit liability. We can defend against these attempts and work to minimize any fault attributions that could reduce your financial recovery.
How to Report a Car or Truck Accident in Colorado
If the police respond to the scene or your car accident, it will generate a crash report. You can also report the accident online by completing a few simple steps. Reporting an accident is an important part of ensuring that all information necessary is provided.
How Do I Get a Copy of My Car or Truck Crash Report?
To get a copy of a police report after a car accident in a specific city, you will need to visit the local police department or request one online. Here are some guides to help you:
- How to request a police report in Fort Collins
- How to get a copy of a police report in Colorado Springs
- How to get a copy of a police report in Denver
- How to get a copy of a police report in Aurora
Be sure to speak with a car accident lawyer if injured in any type of crash.
How Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Wreck
When you are suffering from injuries resulting from a car accident, seek out the help of Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers for immediate help. When you contact our car accident lawyer, you will learn:
- Who is at fault and who can be held liable
- What your car accident claim is worth
- What to do after a truck accident
Take a few minutes to learn how we can help you by setting up a free consultation with our team. Check out our proven results and client testimonials.
Contact Our Injury Lawyers After a Crash in Colorado
With numerous offices throughout Colorado, our team is here for you. Schedule a free consultation by calling us or filling out our contact form. Turn to Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers now.
