Are Police Collision Reports Admissible at Trial?
July 2022
After a collision, a law enforcement officer will put together an collision report. This document is important because it gathers information about the collision and places it into one document. This document may later be used by an insurance company and lawyers to start their investigation of the collision. An insurance company may also make a determination of liability based up on the accident report.
However, if the case proceeds to trial the actual collision report is not admissible in court. Wis Stat. 346.73 This statute precludes the use of collision reports at both criminal and civil trials. This rule looks to preclude the use of the collision report itself. If there are other documents such as pictures or statements attached to the report, the judge will typically make a ruling on the admissibility of those exhibits separately.
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If you or a loved one have been insured in collision make the informed choice and make contact with Herrick & Hart. We have been assisting the injured for over 70 years.