A traffic collision report contains important facts and information about a car accident that you may need for a car insurance claim. It can serve as evidence during a car accident case. You will not automatically be given a copy of your police accident report at the scene or afterward. You will need to take certain steps to obtain a copy of the report in Los Angeles yourself or have a car accident attorney do so for you.
Request a Police Collision Report After the Crash
First, you will need to contact a law enforcement authority immediately after your car accident to have a traffic collision report created. You can do this by calling 911 while you are still at the scene of the crash. California law requires all car accidents that result in injuries, deaths or property damage that exceeds $1,000 to be reported to the police.
When the police arrive, do not admit fault for the accident. Give the officer your side of the story for the record. Write down your police report number before you leave. If the police do not come to the scene of the crash, you are required to submit an SR-1 traffic collision report yourself and send it to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days instead. Keep a copy of this report for your records.
Who Can Obtain a Copy of the Accident Report?
According to Section 20012 of the California Vehicle Code, only certain individuals have the right to access a car accident police report. These reports are confidential except for use by law enforcement agencies and “any person who may have a proper interest therein,” which may include the drivers involved, the parent of a minor driver, anyone injured in the accident, the authorized representative of a driver, the owner of the vehicles or property damaged, anyone who may be held liable for the accident, and an attorney representing any of these parties.
Request a Copy Online
The simplest way to obtain a copy of a traffic collision report in Los Angeles is online. To request a copy of your police report, visit the LexisNexis link provided by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The online form will ask for one of the following to find your report:
- Your police report number,
- Your last name and the date of the vehicle collision, or
- Your last name and the location (street) of the incident.
Due to the heavy volume of traffic collision reports being processed in Los Angeles County, the LAPD recommends allowing a minimum of 45 days from the date of the car accident to pass before attempting to obtain a copy of the crash report online. You can request a copy of the report once it has been located.
Mail in Your Request
If a traffic collision report involves the death of an individual, an arrest for a crime such as driving under the influence or a juvenile (someone under the age of 18), it cannot be requested online. It must be obtained through the United States Mail. In addition, any traffic collision report requested from before February 1, 2016, must be requested via mail.
To request an accident report by mail, download and complete the Traffic Collision Report Request Form and mail it, along with a check or money order for $11 (not cash) made payable to the LAPD, to the following address:
Los Angeles Police Department
Records and Identification Division
Document Processing Unit
P.O. Box 30158
Los Angeles, CA 90030
If you are unable to view or print the report request form, you can view the list of items your written request must include on the LAPD’s website and draft the document yourself. If you need additional information or wish for a status update on whether the LAPD has received your mailed-in request, call (213) 486-8130.
If you wish to have a car accident attorney obtain a copy of your traffic collision report for you, contact Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP at (877) 800-1700 to request a free case review.
FAQs
Request a Copy Online
How to get a copy of an accident report in California? ›
The information can also be obtained by registering and logging into the http://crashes.chp.ca.gov website. Website users can then enter the information found on the crash card and search for their report. Crash reports are typically available within eight business days of the incident, according to the CHP.
How long does it take to get a lapd report? ›
How Long Does it Take to Get a Police Accident Report in Los Angeles? If you request through the mail, it could take, at a minimum, 10 to 15 business days to receive your police accident report.
How do you report a collision in California? ›
Report to the California Highway Patrol or local police within 24 hours and to the DMV within 10 days. Use the SR-1 Accident Reporting Form available on the California DMV website. Failing to report an accident can lead to serious legal consequences.
How do I get an accident report in Los Angeles? ›
The simplest way to obtain a copy of a traffic collision report in Los Angeles is online. To request a copy of your police report, visit the LexisNexis link provided by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Are accident reports public record in California? ›
Are California accident reports public record? No, California accident reports are not considered public records in most circ*mstances, as stated in the California Vehicle Code 20012. Therefore, they are for the confidential use of the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
How do I obtain a police report in California? ›
Effective August 8, 2022 all requests for police records should be submitted via the Police Departments Open Records Center. You may call 408-277-4261 for any additional information regarding the process for obtaining police records or to follow up on the status of your request.
How long after an accident can you file a police report in California? ›
In California, the legal requirement to file a police report within 24 hours specifically applies to accidents involving injuries, fatalities, or damages exceeding $1,000. However, for minor fender benders or accidents that don't meet these criteria, individuals have the option to file a report at a later time.
How can I check if I have a warrant in LA County? ›
Answer: Go to your local police department or sheriff's station. They can conduct a search to see if you have a warrant.
Do insurance companies report accidents to DMV California? ›
In general, your car insurance company does not report accidents to the DMV. Many states have laws that require the police—or you—to file a report with the DMV; one must always be filed if someone is injured or killed in a collision.
Call us at 1-800-TELL-CHP (1-800-835-5247) for non-emergency purposes, like accident reports, tow questions, CHP office locations, vehicle theft tips, community outreach programs. CHP has personnel that answers the 1-800-TELL-CHP telephone number 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How do I contact California Highway Patrol? ›
If you'd like to talk to someone in regards to a non-emergency situation, please call 1-800-TELL-CHP (1-800-835-5247).
Do you need a police report for a Fender bender in California? ›
A: You do not necessarily have to file a police report for a minor car accident in California. However, it is likely your insurance company will require a police report to prove the accident occurred before they will begin to process a claim.
Is it illegal to not report a car accident in California? ›
It is required whether you caused the collision or not, and even if the collision occurred on private property. Your driving privilege will be suspended if you do not complete an SR-1 report or did not have the proper insurance coverage at the time of the vehicle collision.
Do you have to report an accident to your insurance company in California? ›
In the state of California, motorists are required to report car accidents to their insurance companies within a specific time frame. This period may vary depending on the insurance policy, but generally, insurers advocate for prompt reporting.
How do you get an accident off your record in California? ›
In California, an accident in which you are found at fault adds 1 point to your DMV record. Such points cannot be used by the DMV or insurance companies after three years, and it is my understanding that they are automatically removed from the DMV records after 39 months. There is no way to “expunge” them.
How long to file a police report from car accident California? ›
In California, the legal requirement to file a police report within 24 hours specifically applies to accidents involving injuries, fatalities, or damages exceeding $1,000. However, for minor fender benders or accidents that don't meet these criteria, individuals have the option to file a report at a later time.
