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Currently in Philadelphia, information relating to car accidents and car accident victims, including contact information, is accessible by the public. But soon, the city council will be voting on a bill that would limit access to police reports on Philadelphia motor vehicle accidents.
Citing problems of insurance fraud and unlawful access, proponents of the bill hope that the measure will benefit accident victims that have been the targets of marketers. However, not all are convinced that the bill really has victims of accidents in mind. Instead, opponents claim that insurance companies are the only ones that will prosper if the bill is passed.
One problem cited with the bill is that it could prevent accident victims from understanding that they can receive some form of medical coverage or financial damage award following an accident. One personal injury attorney testified at the Committee on Law and Government meeting that he has clients who were only aware that they were entitled to compensation after being contacted by a marketer.
Opponents worry that the bill will help insurance companies by cutting down on accident claims, and the resulting payouts to accident victims. If accident victims are unaware that they have access to medical assistance, they may pay for medical expenses or damage to a vehicle out of pocket, simply out of ignorance.
While opponents of the bill primarily agree that insurance fraud can be an issue with the current public record system, they are not convinced that limiting access to these reports is the correct solution.
If passed, the new law would keep the current $25 fee for accessing accident reports in place, but limit access to only victims, their legal representation and insurance company representatives.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Bill would restrict access to Philadelphia accident reports,” Troy Graham, Oct. 20, 2011.