How To Get Your Car Accident Report in San Diego

Getting your car accident report in San Diego can be done in a number of ways, including:

1. Getting a report in person at the SDPD Records Division
2. Calling 866-215-2771 to request a report
3. Buying your crash report online through LexisNexis
4. Mailing in your request to SDPD Records MS#726

When you are involved in a car accident in San Diego, recovery can be complex. When you have suffered injuries, experience financial losses, and need compensation, you need as much evidence as possible to help you navigate the specifics of your claim. In these cases, a car accident report can be a crucial part of building a case.

However, you may have already encountered problems or are unsure how to get your car accident report in San Diego. At Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, we focus on helping clients like you pursue your car accident report so that you can use this tool to help your claim succeed. When you need help with your claim, do not hesitate to reach out for help requesting your car accident report and beyond.

Taking the First Steps to Getting Your San Diego Car Accident Report

Following your car accident, you may be ready to take your first steps towards recovery. One of the first pieces of evidence that may come to mind is your car accident report, which should be filed by the presiding officer at the scene of your accident. However, determining where to request your report and how to get it can be more complex.

If you have experienced a car accident in San Diego, your accident report is likely handled by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. However, if you were injured on a state road or highway, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) may have been the ones with jurisdiction over your case.

While each of these establishments may have a separate specific fees, you typically have multiple methods to request your report. You will typically also need to prove that you have reason to have a copy of the report, and you must provide proof via a government-issued photo ID of your identity. Once you have taken these steps, you can request your report.

Pro Tip
If you are unsure about the jurisdiction of your accident, you can always check the report number you may have received at the scene of the accident. If you are struggling to get answers, attorney Kevin Crockett and the rest of our team offer tools to investigate your case and determine where to seek your report.

Car Accident Reports Are Not Released to the Public

Due to the nature of your car accident, especially if a crime was committed during the accident or if there was a fatality, car accident records cannot be accessed by the general public who may not have a reason to have this information. However, according to California Vehicle Code Section 20012, any parties of interest in the accident should be legally able to access their traffic collision report. These parties can include any of the following:

• Involved drivers
• Passengers in the accident
• Bystanders who suffered bodily injuries in the crash
• Bystanders who suffered property damage in the crash
• Insurance companies investigating on behalf of a policyholder
• Attorneys acting on behalf of a client
• Parents, if the involved party was a minor

These parties typically include anyone who was physically present during the collision, but there are other parties who may be indirectly involved but still have a stake in the outcome of any lawsuits. Because of this, if you were involved in any way with the accident, you may have grounds to seek out this report to use as part of your lawsuit. Reach out for help if you are unsure whether you are eligible, or if you have any difficulties getting your copy.

Processing Times for Car Accident Reports Can Vary

When a car accident report is written, the specifics of the report must be processed and approved before being released for use in your car accident lawsuit. This process helps ensure that the information is as accurate as possible, so that it is as useful as possible for your claim. However, that can mean that your report may take some time before it has been processed and is ready for your use.

Once the report is initially submitted, it will then need to be analyzed by investigators. Then, it will go through processing before being finally approved by a supervising officer. Once this process is complete, your report can be released.

According to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), your report should be ready within 3 to 10 business days following the accident. However, you may see longer processing times on the online portal, as it may take more time for your report to be available there. We can help you when your report is ready to use and can make the most use of it.

Note
Traffic report timelines can be variable. If you are still waiting for your accident report, we can begin investigating other opportunities for evidence and taking action on your claim.

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 Text Kevin Accident Attorneys 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.

Pro Tip
If you are unsure we are the right fit for your claim, you can always check out our testimonials page to see what past clients have said about our support. You can see some of the past personal injury claims we have represented and what our clients had to say about our results.

Reach Out for Dedicated, Personalized Legal Aid, from Your Report to the Courtroom

After your car accident, you may have already done your best to get evidence and compensation for your accident claim, but you may still struggle to recover fully. Evidence like your car accident report can be difficult to obtain, especially if you are unsure about how to get your car accident report in San Diego. Fortunately, at Text Kevin Accident attorneys, we work hard to help our clients recover.

We can help get your accident report on your behalf, and we are prepared to guide you through many other parts of your claim that can be difficult to handle alone. We also offer free consultations, so you have the support you need before you sign anything. To learn more about our legal services, sign up for a free consultation by calling or completing our online contact form.