Traffic Collision Investigations

The Roseburg Police Department is one of only a few agencies in Oregon that responds to and investigates non-injury traffic accidents. This essay will try to explain our procedures during the course of an accident investigation.

The Roseburg Police Department will respond to a collision if reported to the department by anyone involved or by a witness who happens to call the accident in. When an officer responds to a serious collision involving an injury or major damage to property, our primary responsibility is to provide emergency care to anyone injured, clear the roadway, and conduct an investigation. The investigating officer will determine if there has been a violation and take appropriate action based on the circumstances, which in most instances results in a citation. The officer does not determine fault, only identifies contributing factors to the collision and violations of law. Fault is assigned by subsequent litigation by insurance companies and/or the courts.

Generally, if a motorist is involved in a minor collision, where the total estimated damage is less than $1500 and no one is injured, there is no state requirement to report the incident to any “official” agency. Involved parties are required to exchange information with each other and take whatever action their insurance company requires. If damage is estimated to be more than $1500 or if there is any injury, the Department of Motor Vehicles requires the involved drivers to file a DMV collision form with that agency. This form is available at any DMV office and at most local police department offices. DMV requires that this report be completed and returned to DMV within 72 hours of the collision.

Most insurance carriers will provide you with a “what to do if your are involved in an accident” pamphlet. The instructions provided by your insurance carrier can make the claims process less painful.

When officers are called to minor collisions where damage in minimal, an investigation may take place, and generally does, especially if one of the involved drivers requests one. If in the course of the investigation the officer determines a violation has occurred, a citation may be issued to the violator.

Some collisions are caused by, or involve criminal activity. Most often, these are traffic crimes such as DUII or Reckless Driving. In cases where a crime is suspected, the officer conducts simultaneous criminal and accident investigations.

Collisions that result in the death of a person or serious injury to a person are investigated very similarly to any other death investigation. Physical evidence is collected from the scene, witnesses are interviewed and detailed reports are completed and reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office.

We appreciate the support that the Roseburg community has shown us over the years though we are realistic enough to believe that we are in a business that no matter what action we take, not all of our customers will be happy. The hope is that through this article more of the community will understand the process we go through when investigating traffic collisions.