Police Department
1105 Prairie St
Conway, AR 72032
Phone: 450-6120
Fax: 450-6180
Office Hours
8:00am to 4:30pm
Chief
450-6126
Code
Enforcement
450-6191
COP Team
450-6126
Criminal Investigation
450-6130
Narcotics
450-6135
Project POPE
450-6170
Records
450-6137
Training
450-6139
Warrants
450-6138
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So, You've Been Involved in a Traffic Collision . . .
What's Next?
Traffic crashes are investigated and reported for a number of reasons. Police agencies, generally, respond to the scenes of collisions for the purpose of protecting life and property in the emergency created by the collision, managing traffic flow, gathering statistical information for government use (reporting), and enforcing traffic law violations in connection with the collision. The amount of information gathered at the scene by the officer or investigator is generally governed by the seriousness or severity of the collision. For example, a collision in which someone was killed would receive far more investigative attention than a collision in which there was only minimal property damage.
Attorneys investigate traffic collisions on behalf of their clients in order to seek compensation on a claim for damages or losses suffered as a result of a collision.
Officers of the Conway Police Department use a standard collision report form from the Arkansas Division of Motor Vehicles to report a motor vehicle collision which involves a fatality, personal injury, or total property damage amounting to at least $1000.00 or more. This form is used by the officer mainly to report or record the statistical information required on the form. Completion of this form does not necessarily constitute a complete report of the investigation. The officer may have recorded notes of his own to assist him in court should any litigation come about as a result of the crash. A shorter, less detailed form is used by the Conway Police Department to make record of collisions which do not meet the three conditions listed above.
Did the other person get a ticket?
When an officer has probable cause or enough evidence, based on what he learns at the scene of the collision, to believe that a traffic law violation has occurred, the officer may issue a traffic citation to the person who allegedly committed the violation. The issuance of citations or the filing of charges is generally left to the discretion of the investigating officer. The officers decision to file a charge is dependant on several factors, such as the seriousness of the incident or charge and whether any witnesses or involved parties in the collision are willing to appear in court to testify. The Conway Police Department does, however, place special emphasis on enforcement of certain violations such as driving while impaired, speed violations, seat belt violations, insurance violations and licensing/registration violations. When you or any other party receives a citation after being involved in a collision, the decision to prosecute is made by the District Attorney, or one of his assistants, and not the officer who issued the citation.
Why Is This Important To You?
Neither the officer's report nor any traffic citations (tickets) are intended for use to determine who is responsible for damages or losses that occur as the result of a traffic crash. You may or may not agree with the officer's findings, the citation the officer did or did not issue, or the report which the officer filed. If you are concerned about who fixes whose car, or who pays the medical bills, you should contact your insurance agent or adjustor since the police have absolutely no authority to make such a determination.
Report the collision to your insurance agent. A copy of the investigating officer's report should be on file at the Conway Police Department Records Section within three (3) working days after the collision. Your agent may request that you obtain a copy of the report, or they may obtain one themselves. You may, in the future, need to obtain estimates of repair costs for your vehicle, plus records of any medical expenses.
Do not deal directly with or contact the other party involved in your collision. This is only a suggestion. The Conway Police Department recommends that you let your insurance agent or company representative handle compensation and repairs.
Appear in court to testify if you feel strongly enough about a violation committed by another driver involved in your collision. The outcome of a case in court often depends on the testimony of someone who was there and can place the driver behind the wheel.
Contact your personal attorney if you disagree with the findings of any investigation by police, insurance adjustors or other person responsible for investigation of your collision.
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