How to Correct an Error on Your Police Report

You’ve finally obtained a copy of the official police report from your car accident, expecting it to be the definitive, factual record of what happened. But as you read it, your heart sinks. The report states your car is silver when it’s blue, it gets the street name wrong, or, in a much more serious error, it misquotes you or incorrectly describes the sequence of the crash based on the other driver’s false narrative.

A police report is one of the most influential documents in an insurance claim. An adjuster will rely on it heavily to make their initial determination of fault. An error on that report—whether big or small—can have a significant negative impact on your case.

So, what can you do? Can you actually get a police report changed? The answer is yes, you can, but only for certain types of errors. It is crucial to understand the difference between a factual error and a disputed opinion, and to act quickly to correct any inaccuracies.

Useful Information for You: In a Nutshell

• You Can Correct Factual Errors: You can and should request a correction for objective, verifiable mistakes like an incorrect license plate number, name spelling, or date.
• You Cannot Easily Change an Officer’s Opinion: It is very difficult to change the officer’s narrative, their diagram of the accident, or their determination of fault. These are considered the officer’s professional opinions.
• Act Quickly: The sooner you act to correct an error, the better your chances of success.
• The Process is Formal: You must contact the responding police agency (e.g., Tacoma Police or Washington State Patrol) and formally request an amendment or supplement to the report.
• If the Officer Won’t Change It, You Can Still Dispute It: If the officer won’t amend a disputed opinion, your recourse is to build a strong case with other evidence (photos, witnesses) to prove your version of events to the insurance company.

Understanding the Two Types of Errors

1. Factual Errors (Objective Mistakes)

These are black-and-white, verifiable mistakes. They do not involve judgment or opinion.

• Examples:
  • Incorrectly spelled name or address.
  • Wrong license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
  • Incorrect make, model, or color of a vehicle.
  • Wrong date, time, or location of the accident.
  • An incorrect insurance policy number.

Police departments are almost always willing to amend a report to correct these clear, objective errors.

2. Disputed Information (Subjective Opinions and Judgments)

This is where things get more complicated. These are parts of the report that are based on the officer’s professional judgment and their interpretation of the evidence and statements at the scene.

• Examples:
  • The officer’s narrative description of how the crash occurred.
  • The diagram of the accident.
  • The officer’s opinion on the “contributing factors” (like “inattention” or “excessive speed”).
  • The final determination of who was at fault.

An officer is very unlikely to change these parts of their report unless you can provide new, irrefutable evidence that was not available at the scene (like clear dashcam footage that contradicts their conclusion).

How to Request a Correction for a Factual Error

1. Contact the Responding Agency: Call the police department that created the report (e.g., the Tacoma Police Department or the Washington State Patrol). Ask for the records department or the traffic division.
2. Provide the Report Number: Have your police report number ready.
3. State the Error Clearly: Explain the specific, factual error you have found.
4. Provide Proof: You will need to provide documentation to prove the error. For example, a copy of your driver’s license to correct a name spelling or a photo of your license plate.
5. Request an “Amendment” or “Supplement”: The officer will typically not rewrite the original report but will add an amended or supplemental report that is attached to the original file. Be sure to get a copy of this updated report for your records and for your insurance company.

What to Do About a Disputed Opinion

If the officer will not change their opinion or narrative in the report, do not panic. The report is not the only piece of evidence. Your next step is to build a case that proves the officer’s conclusion was incorrect. This is done by using:

• Your photos and videos from the scene.
• Statements from independent witnesses.
• Expert testimony from an accident reconstructionist.

Your attorney will present this compelling evidence to the insurance company to show that the officer’s opinion is not supported by the facts.

An inaccurate police report can be a major hurdle in your claim. If you’ve been in an accident in the Tacoma area and are dealing with a police report that contains damaging errors, search the Car Accident Lawyer Directory Tacoma. Compare profiles and read reviews of trusted local attorneys who know how to challenge an incorrect report and fight for the truth.

References

• Washington State Patrol (WSP) – Collision Records and Information:The official source for information on Washington’s collision reporting system. Contacting the WSP is the first step for amending a report they created.

  https://www.wsp.wa.gov/driver/collision-records-and-information/

• Tacoma Police Department – Records Request:The official portal for requesting and inquiring about police reports, including amendments, for accidents within Tacoma city limits.

  https://www.cityoftacoma.org/government/city_departments/police_department/i_want_to/request_a_police_report