Los Angeles is famous, or perhaps infamous, for its traffic. Accidents are common on L.A.’s roads, and drivers should almost always call the police for help. Not only can the police investigate crashes and help us determine who is responsible, but they will also issue formal reports we can use throughout your legal case.
To get a copy of your accident report, we need to know which police department handled the accident. Many accidents in and around Los Angeles are handled by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). However, accidents on major highways and interstates may instead fall under the jurisdiction of the California Highway Patrol. Requests for accident reports may be submitted online or through the mail, and you should get a lawyer to help you with your case as soon as possible.
Call the Law Office of John J. Perlstein at (213) 252-1070 and inquire about starting your case with a free legal review from our Los Angeles car accident lawyers.
How Do I Get a Copy of the Police Report for My Los Angeles Car Accident?
If you called the police after a car accident, there should be an official accident report. We may obtain a copy of the report, and it may help you with insurance claims or even in a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact the Police
Your first step after the accident is to contact the police. Under California law, drivers involved in any car accident that results in injuries, death, or damage in excess of $1,000 must report the accident to the authorities.
In many accidents in and around Los Angeles, the LAPD may investigate and write a report. If your accident occurred on a state or interstate highway, the California Highway Patrol may take over the investigation and the report.
Your attorney can help you contact the appropriate police department to inquire about your accident report.
Submit a Request
Your next step is to submit a formal request for a copy of the accident report through the appropriate channel. If you request a report from the LAPD, you may do so online, but accident reports regarding juveniles, deaths, or injuries must be requested by regular mail.
Accident reports from the California Highway Patrol may also be requested online. You can also request the report through regular mail by filling out and mailing in a copy of CHP 190.
Wait for the Report to Be Completed
Accident reports are not ready immediately after an accident. The police must conduct an investigation first before compiling a formal report. When your report is ready will depend on how long it takes the authorities to complete an investigation.
The more serious the accident or the more complex the facts, the longer it will take the police to investigate. As a result, our Los Angeles car accident lawyers may need to wait longer for a report. If it has been a while since your accident and your report is still not ready, your attorney can help you contact the authorities to find out where the report is and when we can expect it to be completed.
FAQs About Police Reports for Car Accidents in Los Angeles
How Do I Obtain Copies of the Police Report from My Car Accident?
We can help you obtain a copy of the police report after a car accident by contacting the police department that handled the case. This could be the LAPD or the California Highway Patrol, depending on where your accident occurred. Requests may be submitted online in most cases. However, cases involving juveniles, arrests, or fatalities must be requested by regular mail.
Which Police Department in Los Angeles Has My Car Accident Report?
In many car accident cases in Los Angeles, the LAPD likely has jurisdiction. If you are unsure which police department handled your case, your attorney can help you determine which one. If your accident happened on a state or interstate highway, the California Highway Patrol may have handled the accident and written the report.
Can I Use a Car Accident Police Report in a Lawsuit?
Yes. While police reports are typically inadmissible as evidence in a trial because they are considered hearsay, they may still be useful as we build your case. If we find that we need more evidence, the police report might contain details about evidence the police have that we do not yet know about. We might also use the report to track down potential witnesses the police spoke to after the accident.
What Information is in the Police Report from a Car Accident?
Police reports may contain details about where and how a car accident occurred. The police typically note the location, weather, and road conditions, and the overall damage inflicted during the crash. If the police talk to other drivers about what they saw, the statements and names of those drivers should be included in the report. Remember, the report is only as detailed as the investigation. Some accident reports may be extremely detailed if the investigation is lengthy and complex. For accidents that are more “open-and-shut,” the report might be shorter with fewer details.
What Happens if I Do Not Call the Police After a Car Crash in Los Angeles?
It is almost always a good idea to contact the police, if for no other reason than to have an official police report to prove your accident in an insurance claim. However, it might actually be illegal to fail to report certain car accidents to law enforcement.
How Soon After a Car Accident in Los Angeles Can I Get a Copy of the Police Report?
If you wish to obtain a copy of the LAPD police report about your car accident online, you should wait at least 45 days before the report is uploaded and ready. Alternatively, requests may be submitted through regular mail along with a $20 fee. Accident reports from the California Highway Patrol may also be requested online, but through a separate portal.
Ask Our Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers for Legal Help Now
Call the Law Office of John J. Perlstein at (213) 252-1070 and inquire about starting your case with a free legal review from our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers.