Advice needed, car accident with a cop

Yax

Platinum Member
Feb 11, 2003
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So my dad just called and said he was rear ended by a cop. Its just a fender bender, and the cop is writing up a report, but he's not sure what he should do to protect himself.

I told him to just report it to his insurance company ASAP. Is there anything else he needs to do? Can he go down to the police station and ask for a copy of the report?
 

TechnoKid

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2001
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Yes, he is entitled to a copy of the report, as he's need it for insurance purposes. If your father reports it to his insurance, the insurance company will contact the police's insurance and things should get taken car of. Documnet everything, and take pictures. Your father got hit by the police car, and most rear ends are the rear enders fault. Unless, the cop was in pursuit, in which case insurance would take car of it.

Don't just think that its under $500 worth of damage and let it go. Often times in fender benders, such as a rear end, underlying bumper safety support and cross braces get cruched or whatnot, and that can cost quite a bit to repair.

Why does the dad have to protect himself, from the cop?
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
35,117
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I don't know if you can get a copy of the report or not. AFAIK, members of the media are the only non-government people who can see them.

Not sure though.

Edit: Ok, looks like I was wrong. I don't think you can get reports not related to you (like some random crash report) though.

Call the insurance company for sure.
 

IamElectro

Golden Member
Jul 15, 2003
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Did he call another officer or did the officer that hit him write the report. He maybe should have called a cop from another force ex. State or sheriffs dept to write the report.
Call the insurance company for sure.

 

At UMDPS, when a cop got into an accident once (someone backed into his patrol car, not his fault), he had another officer come write the report. I think that should have been done, but I'm sure the cop will handle it okay on his own.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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report to insurance and have giant company duke it out with the cops!
 

Rogue

Banned
Jan 28, 2000
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Usually, you can pick up a copy of the report in a day or two and sometimes it will cost a buck or two to do so. I really hope the officer involved did not write the report himself. He should have enlisted another officer and treated it just like any other accident. Next, as TechnoKid said, a rear end collision is nearly always the fault of the car behind. Hopefully, the officer will take responsibility for that without pressure. All I can say is, he's got months, if not years worth of jokes, smart a$$ remarks and ridicule coming his way from his peers, if he doesn't get a good, good a$$ chewing from the Chief for it. Police Departments are usually covered by some pretty hefty insurance, so I'm fairly certain the situation will be well taken care of. I seriously doubt you'll have any problems with this one. Call the insurance company ASAP as suggested and find out when the eariliest time you can pick up the report is.
 

HappyPuppy

Lifer
Apr 5, 2001
16,997
2
71
I think your dad should have placed the cop under arrest and then written the report himself. He then should have called for backup to take the offending officer to jail. During the booking process your dad should have done a anal search of the offending officer with his finger and then licked it in front of the rest of the cops who would surely have been on his side.

What kind of dad needs his kiddie to go on ATOT for legal advice?:disgust:
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
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Why are you all so parnoid about the cop writing the report and so forth? Not every cop is horribly crooked and out to get you. What could the cop POSSIBLY say, you were going in reverse at 50 miles an hour and hit him?
rolleye.gif
He has nothing to worry about.
 

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
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I hope he got the cop's informatino such as name, badge number, license plate number, etc. And yes, tell him to call his Ins Co ASAP

Let us know what happens.
 

Rogue

Banned
Jan 28, 2000
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Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
I think your dad should have placed the cop under arrest and then written the report himself. He then should have called for backup to take the offending officer to jail. During the booking process your dad should have done a anal search of the offending officer with his finger and then licked it in front of the rest of the cops who would surely have been on his side.

What kind of dad needs his kiddie to go on ATOT for legal advice?:disgust:

LOL!!! You gotta make sure to lick a different finger though for effect! :D
 

KokomoGST

Diamond Member
Nov 13, 2001
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I was pulling out of a police lot (which also happens to be a municipal free parking near some shops) when a cop comes DIVING into the lot cutting the corner and nearly smacking the crap out of my front end. Thank God that I saw him and reacted fast enough to brake and avoid him. I wasn't going fast either.

He just dove through the corner without looking to see if there was a car at the corner waiting to make a turn.