Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers | November 1, 2023 | Car Accident
If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident in California, there’s a high likelihood the police responded to the scene. When officers arrive at the scene of a crash, they gather information to write an accident report.
Obtaining a copy of your car accident report can get you closer to obtaining the compensation you deserve for your collision-related losses.
What Is a Car Accident Report?
If you’re involved in a collision, you should call 911 and request assistance from law enforcement. Not only can police officers help you in a challenging situation, but they can also gather information for your car accident report.
When law enforcement officers come to the scene, they quickly begin surveying the situation and collecting important information. They talk to the parties involved and any witnesses. And they review the details of the accident.
Using the information they obtain, police officers create your car accident report.
Within this report, you’ll find plenty of useful information, including:
- Names and contact information of parties involved in the collision
- Insurance information of involved drivers
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Description of the vehicles involved
- Property damage and injuries
- Citations given, if any
- Names and badge numbers of officers investigating the accident
Additionally, the officer creating the report will provide their opinion on the accident, including what or who caused the collision.
How To Get a Copy of Your Accident Report
Before taking the first step to obtain a copy of your car accident report, it’s important to consider which law enforcement agency responded to your accident.
If the local police department was in charge of investigating your accident, you can request a copy directly from them.
In San Diego County, for example, you have three options to submit your request:
- Through the Public Records Center
- Through the Sheriff’s station or substation that wrote the report
- Through a Service Request Form to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Records and ID Division
Usually, depending on the police department, you can submit your request in person at a local station or by mail. If requesting in person, make a note of the specific office hours. For requests by mail, make sure to get the right address, as these requests are usually mailed to special P.O. boxes.
If you experienced a highway collision and the California Highway Patrol responded to your call, this agency also gives the option of submitting a request in person or by mail. You must fill out a Collision Request Form and take it with you or mail it to your local CHP office along with a copy of your driver’s license or ID and the applicable fee.
Understanding the Importance of a Car Accident Report
A car accident report can be critical to your car accident claim.
One of the most important details you’ll need to sort out to pursue compensation is liability. Car accident reports can provide much-needed details to help you establish the other party’s fault, getting you one step closer to monetary recovery.
Evidence is crucial for collision claims, and accident reports are usually one of the most used pieces of evidence. For this reason, as soon as your accident report becomes available, you should obtain a copy to help strengthen your case.
Your California Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Obtain a Copy of Your Crash Report
Among the many things a car accident attorney can do for your case, they can request a copy of your accident report on your behalf. Your lawyer can then use the report to substantiate your claims and pursue the compensation you deserve.
The quicker you consult a car accident lawyer, the sooner they can begin working on your claim and obtaining evidence. For this reason, it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a collision.
Contact the North County Car Accident Lawyers at Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the Vista car accident law firm of Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve in North County, CA and its surrounding areas:
Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers – Vista, CA Office
380 S Melrose Dr. Ste. 201
Vista, CA 92081
(619) 344-0360
Petrov Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers – Oceanside, CA Office
702 Civic Center Drive Ste. 105
Oceanside, CA, 92054
(619) 678-1016