How To Get Your Car Accident Report in Fresno

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July 29, 2024

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You can request a car accident report from the Fresno Police Department online for a small charge or in person for free. Their offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and they can be reached by phone at (559) 621-2534. The address is 2323 Mariposa Street, Lobby Fresno, CA 93721.

When you are involved in a car accident, an officer should arrive at the scene to record what occurred. This record is a car accident report, and it serves as a valuable piece of evidence in an insurance claim and a personal injury case. However, before you can use your car accident report, you have to actually receive it from the authorities.

After an accident, seeking compensation from the responsible parties can be a true lifesaver. A skilled car accident lawyer, like us at Crockett Law Group, can use your accident report to build a strong case. We can also guide you through the process of receiving your report or do it for you if you so choose.

How to Request Your Fresno Car Accident Report

Though an officer will likely come to the accident scene to take down an account of how the wreck happened, that does not mean it will be ready that day. It has to be investigated, approved, and processed, which can take time. You need to keep this in mind before requesting your report, even though it is an important piece of evidence.

The Fresno Police Department has done what it can to make the request process smooth and easy, though. You can use the online portal, visit the offices, call them by phone, or mail in a request form. Whichever method you choose, just be certain you have given ample time to complete the report.

Requesting and handling your car accident report is one of the services offered by our car accident attorneys in Fresno. We can make it much easier on you, giving you time to recover from your accident without having to worry about the paperwork. We can use the report to build your case and identify who is liable for the wreck.

Who Can Request an Accident Report?

You should remember that not everyone is allowed to see your accident report. It is not available to the public, and only certain parties have access. You can request an accident report if you are any of the following parties:

One of the drivers
A passenger in one of the cars
The registered owner of one of the vehicles
Parents of a minor involved
Someone who experienced property damage
Anyone who could be found legally liable
The attorney of an involved party
The insurance provider of an involved party
Someone who was injured in the crash

Simply put, you may only see an accident report if you were involved in the accident, either directly or indirectly. There are certain other rules that dictate who can and cannot see certain information. Whatever your claim is, you will need to provide valid proof before being given the report.

Allowing your lawyer to handle the accident report can greatly simplify the process. They can secure the report and use it to build your case while you recover from your accident. Your attorney generally has a right to request the report, going through their own methods.

Note

If there was a fatality involved in the accident, one of the parties was a minor, or if releasing the information could put someone at risk, you may be unable to see the full report. This applies even if you were involved in the accident, so talk to your lawyer if you may be unable to get a copy of your report because of this.

Accident Reports Are Not Immediately Available

Depending on the complexity of your accident, the report may not be ready for several days. Even a simple crash will still take a day or two of work before the report is ready for release. You can always call to check on the status, though patience is important as you may have to wait for your report.

Fresno does offer collision reports 48 hours after the crash through My Collision Report. They charge a small service fee, but it is a good way to get your report quickly. If you wish to receive your report another way, it may take longer, but each option is valid depending on your ability level or preference.

According to the California Public Records Act, Cal. Gov. Code 7923.600, requesting a report without a court order, is treated as a public record request. This means you should allow up to 10 days to check your eligibility before being given the report. After this, we can then use the information in your report to help build a powerful defense of your case.

Request a Copy of Your Accident Report

Fresno offers several ways to request your car accident report so you can choose the best method for you. You can reach them by phone, online, in person, or by mail, depending on your specific preferences. Keep in mind, however, that the differing methods may have specific rules and fees applied, though all options typically expect you to provide the following information:

The date and location of the accident
Your name
Your interest in the report
The investigation number, provided by the officer on the scene

Being prepared with these can help you get your report much quicker and more smoothly. You will still need to deal with the fees and processing time, but it keeps you from wasting both your time and that of the police department. The specifics will still be different based on what method you choose.

By Phone

You can reach the Fresno Police Records Department at (559) 621-2534. Please call within business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. If you have a critical need, you can reach them outside business hours at (559) 621-2534 but rely on 911 for an emergency.

Online Report Options

The City of Fresno offers public records requests through its online records portal. Traffic collision reports are also available from My Collision Report for a small service charge. Fresno car accident reports are available online for $12.00.

In-Person

You can visit the Fresno Police Department Records Lobby any time during business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may request your report here for no fee other than whatever method you choose to get there. The address is as follows:

2323 Mariposa Street, Lobby

Fresno, CA 93721

By Mail

You can mail a request form along with a valid ID to the address listed above. Sending these materials means you can get your report in the mail as soon as possible. You will need the date of collision as well as the following information:

Street name
Case number
Involved party last name
Registered vehicle owner’s last name

Once you have this information and have mailed it in, allow a few days for your mail to reach the police station. It will then be processed and responded to accordingly. Then, once you have your copy of the report in hand, we can take action and help you use this information to build your case.

Tip

No matter your chosen method, you must present a government ID. Expect a short period after the request to check for eligibility.

Accident Report Fees and Processing

There tend to be a few hurdles that must be overcome before you receive your Fresno car accident report. There are often fees attached, which can change based on the method you choose. Requests must also be processed to check eligibility before they are approved.

When you have been in an accident, time may be of the essence. You can rely on your personal injury lawyer to use this time wisely, pursuing other evidence in the meantime. When dealing with a severe injury, you are better off not waiting around too long.

Cost of a Report

The cost varies depending on what method you choose to pursue. An online request costs $12.00, but going in person carries no fee. If you are requesting from the California Highway Patrol, they charge anywhere from $10.00 to $40.00, based on the number of pages.

Keep in mind that you can potentially get compensated for this fee. Any costs for the pursuit of your lawsuit can be included in the economic damages you seek in the process of your car accident claim. Once we have your car accident report in hand, we can begin calculating these damages and pursuing the compensation you are due, including these fees and others regarding your claim.

Request Processing Time

Even after you submit your request, you will still have a waiting period while your request is processed. Generally, this should last no longer than ten days. Your car accident attorney will likely have a better idea of how long you will be waiting and make use of that time to your benefit.

Keep in mind that a high volume of car accidents, which can happen around holidays when people are traveling from place to place, can lead to some delays. While the Fresno Police Department works hard to process these requests within a reasonable time frame, some delays may be inevitable. Fortunately, there are steps we can take in the meantime while we wait for your report to be processed.

For example, we can begin seeking evidence for your claim from other sources, like medical exams, eyewitness testimony, and even expert witness testimony. We can also begin gathering proof of the damages you have suffered. While your car accident report can be an important guideline of the damages you have suffered and the liable party for your accident, it is not the only evidence you will need to gather for your claim.

Pro Tip

If you are in need of your report faster than normal, you can receive it through the My Collision Report portal for a small fee. It should be there within 48 hours.

How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help

While a car accident report is a vital piece of evidence in an insurance claim or personal injury case, it is only a tool. Without the knowledge to use it, it will not be of much use to you. That is where attorneys like ours at Crockett Law Group come in handy.A car accident can be serious, often resulting in heavy burns, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, or even death. No matter what you experienced in your crash, you can seek compensation from the driver responsible. We at Crockett Law Group can help with a number of services:

Requesting your accident report
Helping to understand the laws that impact your claim
Calculate the full value of your damages
Negotiate with insurance providers on your behalf
Keeping you in the loop on your case
Help you with peace of mind

You do not have to take our word for it when you can simply peruse our testimonials page. We have helped our clients receive millions of dollars and will do all we can to get you the maximum possible settlement. If you need help with any car accident-related matters, do not hesitate to reach out for help.

Reach Out to Crockett Law Group For Help

Your car accident report is invaluable, especially in the hands of professionals like us who know how to use it. We can help you establish liability and pursue the highest possible compensation, getting your life back on track after your accident. We are a well-respected, experienced firm with an excellent team of lawyers here to help you.We at Crockett Law Group will do all we can to bring the responsible party to justice. If you are dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, do not hesitate to contact us. You can do so either by phone or through our online contact form.

AUTHOR

Kevin received both his bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of California, Irvine. He is the managing partner of Crockett Law Group and is recognized as a standout in plaintiffs’ litigation for personal injury law by Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected legal peer-review publisher. Kevin has written for several law magazines and is an award-winning car accident lawyer in California.

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