When you are hurt in a car crash, a police report might seem like an important piece of evidence. If you were knocked out in the crash or unable to stay and collect evidence, it might be the only proof of who was involved.
You can get a crash report from the Huntington Beach police department online. It is usually available within a few days after the crash – potentially up to two weeks if they are busy. Even so, the report might not be helpful evidence in your case, since it likely is not admissible evidence.
Call the Law Office of John J. Perlstein’s Huntington Beach car accident lawyers at (213) 252-1070.
How to Get a Crash Report Online in Huntington Beach
The Huntington Beach police department actually has its own online portal through the City allowing you to make report requests online. The police department website is unclear on the cost for this service, as it lists both no cost and a $5 cost for obtaining a police report.
To use the online portal, you have to make an account and log in. The online portal then allows you to get back to your requests quickly and easily.
How to Get a Crash Report by Mail
You may be able to request a report by mail, but you would have to call the police department. If you can use the online portal, it is probably faster and simpler than trying to request a report by mail.
Can You Get a Police Report in Person?
You can always contact the police department about getting a report through another method. If your only way to get it is in person, you may be able to obtain an in-person report from the records department.
That being said, getting it online is the department’s preferred method.
Do You Need to Get a Police Report Yourself?
In many cases, you do not need to actually go and get a copy of your crash report on your own.
Your Lawyer Can Request it For You
Our Huntington Beach personal injury lawyers can get a copy for you as part of our investigation into your case. As your attorneys, we would be authorized to obtain a copy on your behalf.
Insurance Can Request it Themselves
The same is true for insurance companies representing drivers involved in the crash: they can obtain a copy on their own. If they are telling you you need to get a copy of the police report for them, this is probably incorrect and may just be a tactic to slow down or delay your claim.
What is In a Police Report?
A police report can contain a lot of helpful information about what happened in the accident, what the accident scene looked like, and who was involved. For example, it often contains:
- A diagram of the accident scene, drawn by the officer
- The names of all drivers and passengers involved, along with their phone number and address
- The names and contact info of all witnesses who came forward
- The time, date, and location of the accident
- The officer’s observations after arriving at the scene
- The injuries noted at the scene
- The tickets issued, if any.
Can You Use a Police Report as Evidence?
Generally, a police report is prepared by an officer who did not witness the actual crash. This means that many portions of the report are based on secondhand information. That makes them hearsay.
The report itself is also hearsay – it is a record prepared out of court. While there may be exceptions allowing business records to be used as evidence, police reports are strictly barred.
Even if the report was allowed, much of the information within the report is hearsay within hearsay, so it would also potentially be blocked.
How Much Does a Police Report Cost in Huntington Beach, CA?
You may be charged up to $5 for a copy of a police report. If you want additional evidence the police have – such as photos or video from their dash camera – this could cost $25 per CD of photos/video.
How Long Before a Police Report is Available for a Crash?
It can often take as much as 2 weeks for a report to be made available. Once the report is completed, it should be available online almost immediately.
If there is a delay, you can check the status with the officer preparing it.
What Other Evidence Do You Need for a Car Accident Case in California?
Since you cannot use a police report as evidence, most cases rely on other evidence, such as these vital pieces:
Testimony
Your own testimony is going to be the primary piece of evidence you use to explain what happened in the crash. Other witnesses can also testify, potentially backing up your story.
We can also call expert witnesses, such as doctors or accident reconstruction experts, as needed. These witnesses are not eyewitnesses, but instead have some expert knowledge or information to explain to the court.
Records
While we cannot use police records, we can use records such as medical bills, vehicle repair records, and financial records to prove what happened and how much it cost you in damages.
Proof of Damages
Proof of damages is essential. This often means producing medical records, financial records showing your damages, medical bills, and other proof of costs you suffered because of the accident.
Your testimony will be the primary way to prove non-economic damages – i.e., showing your pain, suffering, emotional distress, etc.
What if a Different Police Department Responded to the Accident?
If your accident was handled by an officer from the California Highway Patrol or a different police department, you can obtain a police report from them instead.
The CHP has its own online portal to request police reports. The costs vary by location, and the website says to contact the local area office to determine your specific fees for a police report.
How Do You Get the Police to Make a Crash Report?
You should always call 911 to report a crash that involved injuries. When an officer responds to a car accident, they are required to write up a report and submit it under certain rules. This ensures the report will be available for you later.
Call Our Huntington Beach Car Accident Lawyers
Call (213) 252-1070 for a free case review with the Orange County, CA car accident lawyers at the Law Office of John J. Perlstein.