Car accidents are common, and the police routinely investigate crashes and issue formal reports on their findings. Car accident victims may need copies of these reports to support their claims for damages. Get help obtaining a copy of your report from an attorney.
If the accident occurred in Irvine, CA, the local authorities likely have the report. If it happened on a state or interstate highway, the state police may have the report. Reports may be requested online or by calling the police department to request a copy by regular mail. It can take time to complete a car accident report, and your lawyer can help you investigate while waiting for the report.
Receive a private initial case review for free by calling our Irvine, CA car accident lawyers at the Law Office of John J. Perlstein at (213) 252-1070.
Where is Your Police Report After a Car Crash in Irvine, CA?
The first step is to locate the accident report. This can be tricky if you are unsure which law enforcement agency investigated the accident.
Local Authorities
There is a strong chance that the local authorities in Irvine handled the accident and wrote the report. This is often the case if an accident happens within the city limits on local roads and streets. We can contact the local authorities directly to determine the best way to get a copy of the report.
State Police
If your car accident occurred on a state or interstate highway around Irvine, it is possible that the local authorities did not handle it. Instead, the California Highway Patrol, the state authorities, likely handled the case and have the report. Again, we can contact them directly to determine how to get a copy of the report.
How Do You Obtain a Copy of a Police Report After a Car Accident?
There are a few ways to get a copy of the police report for your car accident. The best way may depend on which department has the report and your own preferences.
Online
Reports from state and local police departments are usually available through online requests. You can submit online request forms to the authorities and get a copy of the report. When submitting a request, we need information about you and the accident to confirm that you were a party to the crash.
Regular Mail
You can also request a copy of the report by regular mail. If you would rather not submit a request online, we can contact the police by phone and ask about getting a copy. Once they have the information they need, they can send you a copy of the report by mail.
In Person
You can also walk into the police station to request a copy of the report. Keep in mind that you might not get a hard copy of the report the same day you enter the police station. However, the police may take your information, locate a copy of the report, and contact you later to pick it up or send it to you by mail.
What Can You Do with a Police Report About a Car Accident?
The police report can help us with our own investigation into the accident. In some cases, the information in the report completely changes how we approach the case.
Gather Details
The police report may contain very thorough details about the findings of law enforcement during their investigation. These details may be new to us or shed light on other aspects of the accident. The more information we have about the accident, the better.
Keep in mind that the police report itself is likely inadmissible in court because it is considered hearsay evidence. However, our Irvine, CA personal injury lawyers can use the report to gather information that may be admissible in court.
Learn About New Evidence
The police may uncover evidence that we do not yet know about. They might talk to a witness that we did not know saw the accident and include their name and contact details in the report. Maybe they noticed the other driver was intoxicated and included the details in the report. We could use this information to obtain chemical testing results to use as evidence in court.
Insurance Claims
A police report is likely required as part of an insurance claim. Insurance companies need some confirmation that your accident claims are genuine and not fraudulent. A police report is usually the gold standard of proof for insurance companies.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Copy of a Police Report After a Car Accident?
The time it takes to get a copy of a police report after a car accident may depend on the severity of the accident. More serious accidents involving injuries, extensive damage, or death often take longer to investigate. In many cases, it takes several weeks to get a report. If the accident is serious, it could take several more weeks.
Are You Required to Have a Police Report to Sue for a Car Accident?
No. A car accident lawsuit does not require a copy of the police report. However, the report may have information we can use to support your claims and strengthen your case. Remember, the report itself is inadmissible hearsay and likely cannot be introduced as evidence. However, it may lead us to admissible evidence, such as witnesses.
Do You Need a Police Report to File an Insurance Claim for a Car Accident?
Probably, yes. Insurance companies usually want to see the police report if one is available. It lets them know that the claim is unlikely to be fraud. If you cannot provide a report, your claim may still be processed, but it may be somewhat delayed.
Ask Our Irvine, CA Car Accident Lawyers for Legal Help Right Away
Receive a private initial case review for free by calling our Orange County, CA car accident lawyers at the Law Office of John J. Perlstein at (213) 252-1070.