How to Change Your Colorado Car Accident Report

A Colorado Springs car accident lawyer explains how to correct a mistake in your report

Accurate police reports are critical in the aftermath of a Colorado car accident. That’s because these reports serve as the official record of your accident. This is why it’s important that the details in your report are correct and reflect what actually happened in your accident.

In Colorado, this official police accident report is known as the State of Colorado Traffic Crash Report (DR 3447). Mistakes made on this form can significantly impact your accident claim. This is because insurance companies often use these reports when determining fault, which can influence compensation for your accident and any legal proceedings that may follow.

Colorado Springs car accident attorney Stephen A. Longo at The Longo Firm knows how this process works. He also understands the importance of correcting an inaccurate DR 3447 accident report and what steps to take to set the record straight.

Which law enforcement agencies investigate car accidents in Colorado?

Depending on where your crash occurred, one of the following local, state or federal agencies likely investigated your crash:

• Colorado State Patrol (CSP) – State troopers from the CSP primarily investigate accidents that occur on highways, interstates, and rural roadways across the state. They provide detailed crash reports that can be requested through their Central Records Unit.
• Local police departments – For accidents within city limits, the local police department typically handles the investigation. For example, the Colorado Springs Police Department investigates crashes within Colorado Springs city limits, while other municipalities like Boulder or Denver have their own law enforcement agencies.
• County sheriff’s offices – In unincorporated areas outside city limits, county sheriff’s offices are responsible for accident investigations. Each county, such as Jefferson County or Arapahoe County, has its own procedures for obtaining accident reports.
• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) – If your accident was caused by a commercial truck driver, the NTSB might investigate your collision, especially if someone was seriously injured or a car accident fatality occurred.

Understanding which law enforcement agency responded to your accident can help you obtain the correct report and follow the proper procedures for making any corrections to your official accident report.

Understanding the importance of an accurate accident report

A police accident report typically includes the following information:

• Date, time and location of the accident.
• Involved parties’ information, including all drivers’ names, contact details and insurance information.
• Witness statements.
• Description of damages and injuries.
• Officer’s observations and preliminary determinations.

Insurance companies heavily rely on these accident reports when assessing claims and determining how much money to award injury victims. An error – whether factual (like incorrect personal details) or interpretative (such as misjudgment of fault) – could adversely affect your claim’s outcome.

Common errors in Colorado car accident reports

Mistakes in accident reports can range from minor to significant and often include the following errors:

• Factual inaccuracies – Incorrect names, wrong contact information, mistaken vehicle details or incorrect insurance data.
• Omissions – Missing witness statements, overlooked vehicle damages or other details that investigators forgot to include in their accident report.
• Disputed facts – Differences in accounts regarding how the accident occurred, especially if several drivers have conflicting stories about who was at fault for causing the collision.
• Incorrect location details – Errors in reporting the exact location of the accident, such as street names, intersections, or mile markers, which can impact liability determinations.
• Misinterpreted statements – Law enforcement officers may misunderstand or misrepresent statements from drivers, passengers, or witnesses, leading to discrepancies in the report.
• Fault determination issues – The officer’s initial assignment of fault might not accurately reflect the events, potentially affecting insurance claims and legal proceedings.

How to correct an accident report in Colorado

If you identify an error in your accident report, follow these steps to seek a correction:

1. Hire a lawyer. If you believe there’s a mistake with your official car accident report, it’s always best to talk with an experienced Colorado car accident attorney. They can help you with every step described below as well as provide advice on possible legal options, including filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party if necessary.
2. Obtain a copy of the report. Request a copy from the law enforcement agency that filed it. For accidents handled by the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), you or your lawyer can request a report through the CSP’s Central Records Unit. When requesting a report, make sure you have important details like the date of the accident, case number and the full names of all parties involved in the collision. If you’re not sure about these details, your attorney can assist you.
3. Identify and document the errors. Clearly note any inaccuracies or omissions. Gather supporting evidence, such as photographs, witness statements, or medical records, to substantiate your claim. This is one step in particular where having an experienced attorney can often make a big difference in the outcome of your case.
4. Contact the reporting officer. Reach out to the officer who authored the report. Politely present the identified errors and provide your supporting evidence. Officers can sometimes amend factual errors upon verification. If you are not comfortable doing this, your lawyer can contact the police officer or state trooper who filled out your report.
5. Submit a formal request for amendment. If direct communication doesn’t resolve the issue, you or your lawyer can submit a written request to the law enforcement agency’s records department. Your letter should include:
   • A clear explanation of the discrepancies.
   • Supporting documentation.
   • Your contact information.

Agencies may have specific procedures or forms for such requests. It’s advisable to inquire about their preferred process before sending a letter.

How to prevent errors in car accident reports

To minimize the likelihood of errors in your Colorado car accident report, there are steps you can take to make sure your report is as accurate as possible:

• Provide clear information. At the accident scene, offer accurate and concise details to the responding police officer or Colorado state trooper.
• Review the report. If possible, review the officer’s notes or the report before it’s finalized to catch potential errors early.
• Collect your own evidence. If it’s safe to do so at the scene of the accident, take photographs, gather witness contacts and write down your recollection of events to cross-reference with the official report.

How to file a counter report for your car accident

In cases where your accident report cannot be amended, you have the option to file a supplemental report or a personal statement detailing your perspective of the car accident. While this doesn’t change the original report, it ensures your account of the accident is officially recorded, which can be valuable during insurance evaluations or legal disputes.

Your lawyer can help you write and file your counter report for your accident. Experienced attorneys know how to create these reports, what information to include and how the filing process works for different law enforcement agencies.

The role of the Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR)

In Colorado, the Department of Revenue maintains records of reported accidents. If a police officer was not present at the scene, individuals are required to file a crash report online through the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

It’s important to note that reports filed online by individuals are kept for record purposes only and are not investigated by law enforcement agencies. Even so, your crash report could potentially strengthen your legal case, especially if there’s a dispute when filing a car accident claim with an insurance company in Colorado.

The impact of an incorrect report on insurance claims

Insurance adjusters often rely heavily on police reports when determining fault and processing claims. An incorrect Colorado car accident report can lead to:

• Delayed claims – Discrepancies may cause insurers to investigate further, prolonging the settlement process.
• Reduced compensation – Errors might result in an unfavorable determination of fault, affecting the amount of compensation you receive for your accident expenses.
• Denied accident claims – Significant inaccuracies could lead to outright denial of accident claims by insurance companies.

Making sure your accident report is accurate is critical when it comes to protecting your legal rights and best interests. While addressing errors in a car accident report can seem daunting, you don’t have to go through this process on your own. An experienced Colorado car accident lawyer can assist you every step of the way.

Why should I hire a Colorado car accident attorney?

Great Colorado car accident lawyers pay attention to details. They know that every word counts when it comes to your official Colorado car accident report. That’s why they can help you carefully review your report for any mistakes or inaccuracies, then do everything they can to help you set the record straight.

Colorado Springs car accident lawyer Stephen A. Longo of The Longo Firm in Colorado Springs has years of experience helping injury victims review and revise accident reports. We can also help you file a counter report to your accident report or take legal action if necessary.

Our case results speak for themselves, including $3.85 million obtained for a motor vehicle accident injury victim. Learn more about how our legal team can assist you. Contact us and schedule a free and confidential case evaluation at our Colorado Springs law firm. We handle injury claims throughout Colorado.

“My time spent with Stephen was Absolutely great. My case was handled with absolute care and respect.”
– Desider
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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