How To Get Your Car Accident Report in San Diego

You Have Delivery Options for Your Traffic Collision Report

When seeking out police reports obtained through the San Diego Police Department, you have a few options to get your copy of the report. Fortunately, the SDPD makes it as easy as possible to get your copy for use in your claim. We can also help you navigate any of the delivery options below.

Request It by Phone

One of the easiest ways to request a copy of your police report is over the phone. You can call 866-215-2771 to speak with a staff member and begin this process. This line is open and ready for your call Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Online Options for Car Accident Reports

Rather than seeking out a car accident report in person or other options, you can save time by pursuing an online report through the LexisNexis portal. You simply need to search for your report, provide necessary information, and pay the convenience fee for your report. This tool can help you get the report as soon as possible, so you can get started on your claim.

You Can Make Your Accident Report Request in Person

If you would prefer to get your accident report in person, you can simply bring your documentation, ID, and fees to this address:

SDPD Records Division

1401 Broadway

San Diego, CA 92101

The records division is open from Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding federal holidays. Be sure as well that you bring your $12 processing fee per report.

You Can Mail in Your Car Accident Report Request

If you prefer to mail in your car accident report request, you can also send the appropriate materials to the following address:

SDPD Records MS#726

P.O. Box 121431

San Diego, CA, 92112

You will need to mail your $12 processing fee and a stamped, self-addressed envelope in addition to your other documentation. Make sure that any checks or money orders are made payable to the City Treasurer.

Obstacles May Complicate Your Path to a Car Accident Report

When navigating a car accident report, you may face complications and setbacks that can leave you unsure whether you are handling your car accident report correctly. For example, you may be unable to request your report right away. Because of this, watch out for the following situations, costs, and delays and be aware that a personal injury attorney can guide you through them.

You May Have Fees to Pay for Your Accident Report

When you request your accident report, you may be unable to get this report for free. The San Diego Police Department typically charges a $12 processing fee per report. You may also face fees if your report was handled by the California Highway Patrol, and you will need to pay a $10 convenience fee if you get an online report from LexisNexis.

While these fees can add up over time if you need multiple copies of your car accident report, the information in that report can be valuable to your lawsuit. When pursuing a lawsuit against the at-fault party for your car accident, you need as much information as possible to help you navigate the situation. Your car accident report provides a detailed picture of the specifics of your crash at the accident scene.

You also may be compensated for these fees through your lawsuit. Any costs that arise from pursuing a car accident lawsuit may be included in the economic damages for your lawsuit. We can help you identify these damages and seek compensation for them in the courtroom.

You May Need to Wait for Processing

One of the longest obstacles you may face as you pursue a collision report are the delays in receiving your report due to processing. The SDPD requests that any parties of interest who plan to get a copy of their traffic collision report wait 3 to 5 business days from the date of the accident because of processing. Each police report will need to be submitted, processed, finalized, and approved before being released for your use.

Remember that certain situations can a lengthen the processing time for your claim. For example, cases where a fatality occurred maybe more complex, and you may have to take other steps to get a copy of your police report. Likewise, if there have been a high volume of accident reports recently, it may take longer for the police department to process all of these reports.

Fortunately, there are many steps you can take in the meantime. We can provide support to help you begin taking action to gather evidence and complete documentation needed for your personal injury claim. We are here to represent you throughout your claim, not just for your accident report request.

Our Team Is Here to Help Your Case Succeed

When seeking out a traffic collision report, you may already feel overwhelmed by the other steps that can come after you get that report. You may be unsure how best to seek the compensation you need in the wake of an accident. We at Crockett Law Group offer aid beyond the initial report, so check out the list of steps we can take to help your claim succeed:

• Request your accident report
• Use the information in your report to craft a strong case
• Calculate the value of your damages
• Negotiate with the insurance company
• Represent you in the courtroom
• Answer your questions about the specifics of your case

While getting your car accident report has many avenues towards success and clear information about your options to request your report, not every step of your car accident claim will be so clear. In these situations, you may need legal guidance to help you avoid mistakes that can cost you part or all the compensation you need. Car accident attorneys like our team can guide you through this process, represent you in the courtroom, and help you secure your compensation.