Contact the reporting officer and voice your disagreement. The most effective method is to write a letter (instead of calling) so that you have a written record. Identify the portions of the traffic collision report that you disagree with or that contain inaccurate information. Provide the officer with the correct information or voice your disagreement in a non-confrontational way. If you think that the driver violated the California Vehicle Code, cite the provisions and explain how the driver’s actions constituted a violation. If the officer changes their mind based on your arguments, they can supplement the report with the changed findings. However, as you may know from personal experience, it can be difficult to change someone’s mind once they’ve made a decision. Even if the officer continues to disagree with you, request that they create a supplementary report with your objections. That way there is a clean record of the fact that you challenged the traffic collision report from the beginning. Mistakes in traffic collision reports are exceptionally common. Even if your report is riddled with mistakes, shoddy investigative work, and irrational legal conclusions, police officers don’t like feeling attacked. Please make any interaction with the office as polite and respectful as possible. If you eventually file a lawsuit related to the subject accident, that officer could be called to testify. You want him or her on your side!
