Why the Police Report Might Not Tell the Whole Story After a Tempe Crash

After a car accident in Tempe, one of the first things people wait for is the police report. And understandably so—it’s the official document, right? A neutral, third-party summary that outlines what happened, who’s to blame, and what evidence backs it up.

But here’s the truth: police reports don’t always get it right. They often leave out key details, get facts wrong, or fail to account for the full legal picture. And if you rely too heavily on the report alone, you might end up with a weaker case than you deserve.

Whether you were hit near Downtown Tempe, struck in South Tempe, or injured while walking along Apache Boulevard, the police report is just one piece of the puzzle. Understanding its limits can make the difference between getting short-changed—or securing real compensation.

You can start your case by reviewing this Tempe car accident legal resource, then keep reading to learn why the report isn’t always the final word.

Officers Aren’t Eyewitnesses

Unless the accident happened directly in front of them, Tempe police officers arrive after the crash. That means they’re relying on what people say—and what they can piece together from vehicle positions, skid marks, and debris.

That works well for clear-cut crashes. But in more complex collisions—like T-bone crashes, parking lot collisions, or pedestrian accidents—officers often have to make quick assumptions under pressure.

They Sometimes Rely on the Wrong Person

It’s not unusual for the loudest or most composed driver to dominate the initial report. If you're injured or disoriented, you might not speak clearly or fully explain your side. Meanwhile, the other driver may calmly share a version that makes them look blameless.

This is especially common in rear-end collisions or hit-and-run situations, where the absence of a full witness account can cause a one-sided narrative.

If the report marks you at fault—but leaves out key details like lane obstructions, road signage, or speed estimates—it can hurt your claim even when the truth says otherwise.

Reports Can Omit Critical Injuries

Police are not medical professionals. They may note that a victim “declined transport” or “didn’t appear injured,” but that doesn’t mean you're fine. Many serious conditions—like a spinal cord injury or TBI—don’t fully present symptoms until hours or days later.

Unfortunately, defense attorneys and insurers will use the lack of documented injury at the scene as leverage. They’ll claim that if it wasn’t serious enough for the police to notice, it must not be real.

To protect yourself, always follow up with a doctor—even if the officer told you it was “probably nothing.” You can find qualified providers listed through az.gov.

Errors and Typos Are More Common Than You Think

Tempe PD handles hundreds of crash calls per month, especially during high-traffic periods like ASU events, Mill Avenue festivals, or weekend rushes. Officers working under pressure may record:

• Wrong license plate numbers

• Mistaken vehicle positions

• Incorrect time or location stamps

• Incomplete driver or witness info

If left uncorrected, these details may damage your ability to pursue a claim. For example, if your injury timeline doesn’t match the timestamp in the report, the insurer might claim your injury happened elsewhere.

Request a copy of your report early and review it carefully. You can request it through the Tempe.gov Police Department records unit.

Contributing Factors Might Be Missing

In many Arizona crashes, there are contributing factors that make one driver more clearly negligent—but they aren’t always listed in the report. These may include:

• Cell phone use (often denied on scene)

• Speeding or reckless driving

• Road rage behavior

• Illegal U-turns or improper left turns

• Driving under the influence (not yet confirmed)

If you were struck by a suspected DUI driver, the initial report may not reflect BAC results or pending charges. That data may come weeks later—and still needs to be pursued as part of your claim.

Fault Assignments Are Not Legally Binding

This is one of the most misunderstood facts in Arizona accident cases: the police report’s opinion about fault is not final.

Insurance companies, courts, and lawyers all perform their own investigations. Even if the report says you were partially at fault, Arizona’s comparative negligence system allows you to recover damages—just reduced by your share of fault.

For example, if you’re found 20% responsible in a $100,000 case, you may still recover $80,000.

You can read more about how fault and liability are evaluated through civil litigation on azcourts.gov.

What If No Report Was Filed?

Sometimes, the police aren’t called at all—especially for low-speed collisions in places like Holdeman or Meyer Park. If that happens, you can still file a crash report yourself and document the incident for your insurer.

But without an official report, your medical records and witness statements become even more important. So does fast documentation: take photos, write down timelines, and keep your treatment records consistent. Our legal help center outlines how to protect your claim in these no-report scenarios.

How to Respond If the Report Hurts Your Claim

If you’ve reviewed your report and found errors, you don’t have to accept them. You can:

• Request a supplemental report or correction through Tempe PD

• Submit a written statement of disagreement to attach to the file

• Gather independent evidence like dashcam footage or surveillance

• Consult with legal support to re-investigate the incident

This is especially crucial if the report contradicts obvious facts—like where you were hit, how fast you were going, or whether you were in a crosswalk.

Final Thoughts

The police report after a Tempe car accident is important—but it's not infallible. It may contain bias, errors, or gaps that don’t reflect your experience or the full truth. And if that report becomes the cornerstone of your injury claim, its weaknesses could be used against you.

Don’t assume that what’s written is all that matters. Whether you were hit in a rideshare accident, suffered injuries as a pedestrian, or are navigating a crash without witnesses, you can still build a strong claim.

Start by reviewing the full details of your accident, and get informed through the Tempe car accident attorney homepage. The police report may be the first version of the story—but it doesn’t have to be the last.