How To Get Your Car Accident Report in Los Angeles

Car Accident Reports Are Only Released To Certain Parties

When a Los Angeles car accident happens, you or others may have suffered catastrophic injuries or even fatalities. When you have suffered physical damage such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, or burns, you may need access to your accident report to seek compensation, but these reports are not free to the public. In fact, California limits the people eligible to request a report to those involved in the accident, such as the following:

• Drivers involved in the accident
• Passengers in the crash
• Bystanders who have suffered bodily injury because of the accident
• Bystanders who suffered property damage in the crash
• Insurance companies of the involved parties
• Attorneys representing anyone involved in the crash
• Parents, if one of the parties was a minor
• Employers, if one of the parties was acting in the scope of their employment

Note that not all parties who are eligible to request a report were actually present at the accident. Involvement may be indirect, but insurance companies, attorneys, and other groups may be involved through representation of the injured parties or because of indirect liability for your accident. Talk to us if you need help determining whether you have the opportunity to pursue a report.

Your Collision Report May Take Time to Be Released

Remember that your traffic accident report will typically not be done and ready immediately. These reports have to be reviewed through a specific process, which can take days before your claim is ready. That means you may have to wait a few extra days before you request your report.

In some cases, your claim may be ready in a prompt time frame. However, for online reports, it can take at least forty-five days before your claim is available. This is because it can take significant time before the report is approved for online publication.

If you are unable to obtain your report right away, We can still pursue other action for your claim to help you recover from the suffering you have experienced. That includes helping you contact and report your claim with the insurance company, determining the severity of your injuries, and beginning the process of identifying the at-fault party. While your accident report may have significant information regarding who is at fault for your accident, we can still begin investigating and gathering evidence for your case.

Your Next Steps to Requesting Your Accident Report

Once you have determined that your car accident report is ready for retrieval, you can begin requesting a copy of your car accident report. That begins by filling out the Traffic Collision Report Request Form, which helps the records department determine which case you are looking for and ensure that you are eligible to receive this report. Once you have the appropriate information, you will need to choose the right contact method and request for you.

Requests via Phone Call

When seeking information about your car accident report in Los Angeles, you may first want to call and speak with them about scheduling an appointment or how best to pick up your copy of the report. The LAPD can be reached by calling (213) 486-8130. When you call, they can direct you to the next steps for your request.

Requests via Email or Internet

Much like your phone call, you can also email the police department. By reaching out to contact.lapdonline@gmail.com, you can connect with police department staff and get in touch about your claim. That can help you take the next steps to retrieving your report.

You can also seek out your accident report online through LexisNexis. This online portal provides online crash reports you can access without ever going to the police department. Keep in mind, however, that you may need to pay a $10 convenience fee as well before you receive your report.

You Can Make Your Request in Person

If you would like to speak directly to the police, you can go to the police department during their business hours. The department is located at:

100 West 1st Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Be sure to bring a government-issued photo ID as well as the car accident information and your fees.

You Can Mail in Your Request

The Los Angeles Police Department Also allows mail-in car accident report requests at:

Los Angeles Police Department

Records and Identification Division

Document Processing Unit

P.O. Box 30158

Los Angeles, CA 90030

Please include your fee via check or money order, not cash. You will also need to include any documentation, including the report request form.

Car Accident Report Fees and Processing Times Can Impact Your Timeline

Getting a copy of your car accident report is not an immediate process. You may have to wait for the report to be finalized, and certain obstacles may stand in the way of that. Below are some of the specifics you can expect When seeking a car accident report.

You May Have Fees for Your Report

Keep in mind that you may also need to pay fees to get copies of your car accident report. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, you may be charged a $25 fee for a collision report. If you have multiple copies, you may be charged nothing for the first ten pages and thirteen cents per page for the eleventh page on.

Other options for getting your police report will vary depending on the method you choose for your process. For example, if you request a report to the United States mail, you will need to pay via an $11 check or money order to the LAPD. You may also have a $10 convenience fee if you choose to obtain your car accident report online. Your car accident report online.

Processing Times Can Vary

In the wake of a car accident, keep in mind that your report may not be ready right away. You may have to wait several days before this report is ready, as it must be reviewed, finalized, and approved before release. That means you may have to wait for at least forty-five days, according to the LAPD, before your report is available.

Keep in mind that certain other factors may impact the speed at which your report is ready. For example, if you were injured on a weekend with heavy traffic and multiple other injury incidents, you may have a more significant wait time ahead of you compared to other situations. However, the Los Angeles Police Department is focused on helping you get your report in a timely manner.

You also do not have to wait without taking action while you seek out your report. In fact, our team is prepared to take other action while we wait for your report, including gathering other evidence, speaking to witnesses, and reporting your accident to the insurance companies. We can help you take advantage of this wait time to stay active in the pursuit of your compensation.