How To Get A Police Accident
Report In California

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in California, obtaining a copy of the police accident report can be very useful in a variety of different settings. This may include pursuing insurance claims and seeking damages through a personal injury lawsuit. The report is prepared by law enforcement who responded to the scene. It contains valuable information about the accident, involved parties, witnesses, and the officer’s assessment of the accident’s cause.

In order to obtain a police report, you must be one of a select group of related parties. This will include drivers involved, the parent of a minor, anyone injured in the crash, the owner of a damaged vehicle, any person who could be liable for the collision, and an attorney who represents the aforementioned parties. What follows is a step-by-step guide to help you obtain a police report for any accident that took place in California.

Step 1: Gather The Necessary Information

Before you request your accident report, you’ll need to collect some basic information.

• The date of the collision
• The crash location
• The name of the driver or owner of the vehicle
• Your name and address
• The report number (if available)

Having some basic information about the crash will help expedite the time it takes to receive your report..

Step 2: Determine Which Law Enforcement Agency Responded

The first step in obtaining a police report is to determine which law enforcement agency generated it. In general, the agency that responded to the scene will create the corresponding police report. There are several agencies in California that may respond to an accident scene.

• Local Police Department: If an accident happens within city limits, the local police department will typically generate the report.
• California Highway Patrol (CHP): If the accident occurred on a state highway or freeway, the CHP will create the report.
• County Sheriff’s Office: If the accident happened in an unincorporated area, the county Sheriff’s Office will create the report.

In the next three sections, we will give you instructions on how to get a report for each of the corresponding agencies.

Step 3: Contact The Agency That Created The Report – Local Police Departments

Local Police Department: You can easily obtain any police report by visiting your local police department in person. It is also possible to request a copy of any police report through the mail. For Los Angeles, you must download and complete the  Traffic Collision Report Request . Include a check or money order for $11.00 and return it to the following address:

Los Angeles Police Department

Records and Identification Division

Document Processing Unit

P.O. Box 30158

Los Angeles, CA 90030

Every police department will have a different form, a different set of fees, and a different mailing address to send in the required paperwork. You can also request a police report online for any local police department across California through LexisNexis.

• You can go to  LexisNexis and select California.
• Under the “Select Jurisdiction” tab, you’ll be able to select any local police department within California.
• If you’re having trouble locating the correct jurisdiction, you can contact LexisNexis customer support at  1 (800) 543-6862 .
• After clicking “Start Search,” you’ll be given three different options to locate your specific accident report. You need to provide the report number, or last name / date of incident, or last name / location street.
• Once you’ve located the report, you’ll be able to select it and pay the required fees.
• You will then be able to download the report.

Step 4: Contact The Agency That Created The Report – California Highway Patrol

California Highway Patrol (CHP): You can also obtain an accident report created by the CHP.

• You’ll need to download and fill out  CHP 190 – Collision Request Form.
• You can then go to the CHP area office where the report was filed. Or you can mail the form to the CHP area office where the report was filed.
• In either situation, you’ll need to include a $10 crash report fee.

Step 5: Contact The Agency That Created The Report –  County Sheriff’s Office

County Sheriff’s Office: Similar to local police departments, you may need to contact a county Sheriff’s Office to get an accident report. Every county is different, but you’ll typically be able to show up to the office in person or request a report through the mail. What follows is how to receive an accident report for a collision in Orange County.

Get Report By Email

• Download the request form by clicking  HERE.
• Save the document on your computer and complete it.
• Email your request to reportrequest@ocsheriff.gov with your completed document attached.

Get Report In Person, By Mail or Fax

If you choose one of the following options, please be aware that the cost of a report will be ($0.15) per page.

• Download the request form by clicking  HERE.
• Save the document on your computer and complete it.
• For in person: Visit the Records Division in Santa Ana between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Click here  for directions.
• Via U.S. mail: Send the request to P.O. Box 449, Santa Ana, CA 92702.
• Via Fax: Send the request to 714-834-5466.

Getting Legal Help For A Car Accident

Obtaining a police report in California is a relatively straightforward process if you follow these steps. But don’t worry if you’re having any difficulty obtaining a copy of the report. Our law firm can work on your behalf and obtain a copy of the report for you. After we have a copy of the report, we can also let you know if you have a legal claim that can be pursued. At Samer Habbas & Associates, we are committed to helping accident victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we may be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.