Getting the police report for a car accident isn’t always as straightforward as it should be, especially after a complex, multi-vehicle, or fatal accident. With our attorneys’ help, you can get the police report and use it to support your claim.
Any involved parties, their insurance companies, and their attorneys may obtain the police report for a specific accident. In-person retrieval is possible, but downloading reports from accurate databases is more common and convenient. The report helps us show that the accident happened and that the other driver was involved, and it is a very important piece of the puzzle for insurance companies.
Call (213) 252-1070 for a free case evaluation from the Santa Ana car accident lawyers of the Law Office of John J. Perlstein.
Guide to Getting a Police Report After a Santa Ana Car Accident
You should always get the police report after an auto accident, and our lawyers can teach you how.
Eligible Requesters
Any party to the car accident, insurance companies involved, and the attorneys for either party can request and obtain police accident reports in California. This enables us to obtain reports on a victim’s behalf while they are still recovering at the hospital or their home.
Required Information
When requesting a police report after a collision, you must be prepared to provide specific information, such as your first and last name and the accident’s date, location, and time. If you know the report number, that alone may be sufficient to locate the report and obtain a copy.
In-Person Retrieval
In-person retrieval is typically an option for police accident reports. The Records Division of the Santa Ana Police Department handles report requests. It’s worth calling ahead to confirm whether in-person retrieval is an option and whether the report is ready for pickup.
Digital Download
Like so many law enforcement agencies, the Santa Ana Police Department makes crash reports available for digital download after accidents. Finished reports are typically available to download directly from BuyCrash.com. To begin the online search, you must input the state where the accident occurred, California, and the law enforcement agency that responded, the Santa Ana Police Department.
Fatal Accidents
A traffic investigator in Santa Ana must approve requests for copies of accident reports for fatal collisions. They can be submitted online through the police department’s records portal.
Waiting Time
The Santa Ana Police Department may take 2 to 4 weeks to finish and file your crash report. Reports for fatal accidents may take several months to be fully investigated and completed.
Cost
There is typically a fee associated with downloading copies of accident reports from BuyCrash.com. For in-person copies of police reports, the fee may be as small as several cents per page.
Why Do You Need a Police Report After a Car Accident?
Use the police report as documentation of the accident to help determine fault and secure statements from eyewitnesses.
Document the Accident
You need a police report to show that an accident involving you and another driver actually happened. The police report helps us confirm the date, location, and time of the collision, as well as the parties involved and present at the scene when law enforcement arrived.
Determine Fault
Insurance companies rely heavily on police reports to determine who is at fault for a collision when processing claims. Although it may not be admissible as evidence in a lawsuit, the police report also helps our Santa Ana personal injury lawyers determine fault and identify potential causes to investigate, witnesses to track down, and other possible sources of evidence.
Secure Witnesses
Serious and painful injuries might stop you from talking to eyewitnesses after the crash or noticing they were present. When law enforcement arrives on the scene, they should speak to any remaining witnesses and ask them what they saw. Eyewitness testimony may strengthen your case, and we can get this evidence after contacting witnesses based on the information police officers collected at the scene.
FAQs About Police Reports and Car Accident Cases
What if You Didn’t Call 911 to Get a Police Report After a Car Accident?
If you didn’t call 911 to report an accident, there will be no police report to support an insurance claim or further investigation. Self-reporting is an option in Santa Ana, but it’s not as effective as reporting to the police.
What if You Are Too Hurt After a Car Accident Get a Police Report?
If you are too hurt after a car accident to get the police report, lean on our attorneys for help procuring it as soon as possible.
What if a Car Accident Police Report is Inaccurate?
If any information in the police report is wrong, such as the stated cause or the severity of your injury, we can address it. Fixing inaccuracies in police reports is important so that insurance companies make decisions based on accurate information.
What Should You Say to the Police to Get an Accurate Accident Report?
For a police report to be thorough and accurate, you should speak to the police when they arrive. Tell them what you called about the other driver’s negligence and the cause of the accident. Tell them if you are hurt in any way or need medical attention, and give them your contact information so they can reach you if they have any future questions.
What if a Car Accident Police Report Takes Too Long to Complete?
Unless it is for a fatal or especially complicated car accident, the police report shouldn’t take more than a few weeks to complete. If there is a significant delay in officers uploading the report for online download, we can reach out to learn the reason for the delay.
Call Us Today About a Car Crash in Santa Ana
For the help that you need with your case, call the Anaheim car accident lawyers of the Law Office of John J. Perlstein at (213) 252-1070.