The Role of Police Reports in Personal Injury Cases

Why the Police Report Matters More Than You Think

After an accident, emotions run high and the facts can get muddled. You might be hurt, confused, or just trying to get home. But long after the crash is cleaned up, one document often helps sort out the truth: the police report. It’s one of the first official records of what happened. It can say where the vehicles ended up, who was involved, and what witnesses said.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our personal injury attorneys help injured New Yorkers use this report to support their personal injury cases. Our team knows how to break it down, point out what matters, and connect it to the rest of your evidence. If you’ve been in a crash or suffered a serious injury, don’t overlook the role of the report. It may be more helpful than you realize.

Understand Why Police Reports Matter in Personal Injury Claims

Police reports don’t win a case by themselves, but they lay a strong foundation. They capture the first official version of what happened. That matters because insurers and courts both rely on early documentation when deciding how to evaluate a claim.

When a New York State Trooper, the Rochester Police Department, or the Monroe County Sheriff's Office responds to an accident, the report becomes a formal account. That report carries more weight than a phone call or a text. It becomes one of the core pieces your attorney may use to strengthen your injury claim. 

Learn more in our post on what evidence matters most after a crash:

• Show how the crash happened
• Confirm injuries were reported at the scene
• Back up your statement with third-party notes

In a personal injury case, facts often get disputed. A police report gives you a starting point that wasn’t written by you or the person who hit you.

Know What Information the Report Includes

Most New York police reports follow a standard format. They don’t tell the whole story, but they do lay out a timeline and key facts. The more details you understand, the easier it is to build on what’s there.

You’ll usually find:

• Date and time of the incident
• Location, including intersections or mile markers
• Driver and passenger information
• Diagrams of vehicle positions
• Statements from those involved
• Notes on road conditions or weather
• Injuries reported or observed

If the report was made by the Rochester Police Department, it may also include the badge number of the officer, witness contact info, and whether any citations were issued. That kind of detail helps create a structured picture of what happened. It’s especially important if the other driver denies fault.

How to Request a Police Report in Monroe County

If your accident happened in Rochester or another town within Monroe County, the report will be held by the responding agency. There are two common ways to request it: directly from the police department or through the New York State DMV.

Here’s how to get a copy:

• Online: Visit the New York DMV's collision report page to request a copy electronically
• In person or by mail: Contact the Monroe County Sheriff's Office or Rochester Police Records Department for paper reports

You’ll need some basic info:

• Date of the crash
• Location
• Your name and vehicle information
• The incident number, if you have it

Most reports are ready in 7 to 10 business days. Requesting it quickly helps your attorney start building your case without delays.

Use the Report to Support Your Version of Events

Your personal account of what happened carries weight, but it becomes stronger when it lines up with an officer’s notes. A well-written police report can support your version of the accident in ways that are hard to ignore.

Let’s say you were rear-ended at a red light on Lake Avenue in Rochester. If the officer recorded the same details, or if their diagram shows your car at a complete stop with the other vehicle behind it, that adds clarity. Even notes about debris, road layout, or weather can match up with your photos or injury timeline.

When officers include:

• Confirmations of damage patterns
• Witness descriptions
• Noted injuries or emergency response

…it reinforces your account. That kind of alignment becomes especially important during settlement talks or court hearings.

Identify Gaps or Errors That Need Correction

Police officers work fast. They often arrive after the fact. That means errors can creep in. Maybe the officer got your license plate wrong. Maybe a witness was left off the report. Or maybe an important traffic sign wasn’t noted.

Here’s what to watch for:

• Incorrect vehicle or driver descriptions
• Missing or misquoted witness statements
• Diagrams that show vehicle positions inaccurately
• Wrong dates or locations

In New York, you can’t always force a correction, but your attorney can request a supplemental report or add a formal statement. If the error is clear, it’s worth addressing quickly—before insurers start using it to challenge your case.

If the responding agency was the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, have your attorney follow up through their administrative division. Keep all communication in writing and retain copies.

Understand What the Report Can and Can’t Do

Police reports matter. But they don’t guarantee anything. They’re part of a larger picture.

Here’s what they can do:

• Establish that the accident occurred
• Show the presence of injuries
• Provide a timeline for follow-up medical care
• Offer observations from a neutral third party

Here’s what they can’t do:

• Assign legal liability with finality
• Replace the need for witness testimony
• Include every detail that may later matter

If no citation was issued at the scene, it doesn’t mean the other driver wasn’t at fault. If your injuries weren’t visible that day, it doesn’t mean they didn’t exist. Insurance companies sometimes lean too heavily on reports, but your legal team will balance them with the rest of your evidence.

Connect the Report with Other Evidence

Police reports become more powerful when paired with other documentation. Each piece fills a different role. When used together, they tell a fuller story.

Build on your report with:

• Photos taken at the scene
• Witness statements collected by your attorney
• Medical records from providers like Strong Memorial Hospital
• Dashcam footage, if available

For example, if the report says your car was struck while merging on Route 104, and your dashcam shows the other driver speeding, that combination makes your claim stronger. Or if the officer’s diagram matches the injury pattern on your body, medical imaging can reinforce it further.

Let Your Lawyer Interpret the Report Strategically

An experienced injury attorney sees more than just words on paper. They know how to read between the lines of a police report, especially when preparing a claim in New York.

Your attorney may:

• Compare the report to your medical records
• Flag bias or incomplete sections
• Use the report to craft timelines or cross-reference with witness notes
• Point out inconsistencies in the other party’s statements

In Monroe County courts, strategic use of the report may influence how a judge or opposing lawyer views your credibility. A good lawyer doesn’t treat the report as the whole case. They use it to shape and strengthen the case you already have.

Police Reports Create a Strong Starting Point

When you’re injured in New York, a clear and accurate police report helps your case start on solid ground. It documents what happened, shows who responded, and captures important facts. 

At Horn Wright, LLP, our team uses these reports to support injury claims for people across Rochester, Monroe County, and the rest of the state. Learn more about how we handle these cases. 

Contact our team to arrange your free case review if you have questions about your report or injury claim. If you've been hurt, we can help you use the facts already on paper to build something stronger.