After your Santa Ana crash, reach out for a traffic collision report through the Orange County Police Department. You can reach out via phone at (714) 834 6454, mail your request to PO Box 449, Santa Ana, CA 92702, order your collision report online, or seek answers in person at Santa Ana City Hall.
A car accident in Santa Ana can be a costly, devastating incident. In the aftermath, you may be unsure where to start with your car accident claim. Often, one of the best places to begin is to start with a car accident report, which can provide necessary information about the specifics of your accident.
At Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, we understand how difficult it can be to take action and seek compensation for your injuries. We offer guidance through this process, including requesting your report on your behalf. If you are struggling with how to get your accident report in Santa Ana, do not hesitate to reach out for support.
Getting Your Traffic Collision Report Can Have Complications
When first requesting a traffic collision report in Santa Ana, keep in mind that jurisdiction can change depending on the specifics of your collision. For example, typically, a case is handled by the police department that has jurisdiction over that area, in this instance, the Santa Ana Police Department. However, other situations may lead to other situations.
For example, other officials may handle your case if you are injured on a state road. Typically, this would be the Orange County Sheriff’s Department or the California Highway Patrol (CHP). In these cases, you may need to seek answers directly from these groups rather than through the local police department.
Once you have determined the correct officials to request a traffic report from, you can then seek out this piece of evidence, which can be crucial to your claim. This report can provide specific details of how your accident happened and who may be liable for the accident. If your report includes details on the cause of your accident, we at Text Kevin Accident Attorneys can use that information to maximize your potential compensation.
Car Accident Reports Are Not Available to the General Public
Remember that California does not release traffic collision reports to the general public, though your information can be pursued through the Public Records Act, which allows those related to the car accident to request records about the crash. That gives you and others access to the traffic collision report with the information necessary for your case. However, because this is a limited release, only some people can access it, including the following:
- Drivers in the crash
- Passengers of any involved party
- Responsible parties for any involved drivers, such as employers or parents
- Insurance companies who insure an involved party
- Attorneys representing an involved party
- Anyone who suffered a bodily injury in the accident
- Anyone who suffered property damage because of the accident
Keep in mind that certain situations may lead to further restrictions on your ability to request a copy of the accident report. For example, if your accident was a hit-and-run accident, a crime was committed, or there was a traffic fatality, your case and report may be handled differently. Reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns about the access you have to your report.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible to receive an accident report, reach out to a car accident attorney for advice. We are here to help you determine your options and what you can do to maximize the compensation for your claim.
Car Accident Reports Are Not Available Right Away
As you tackle your accident claim, keep in mind that these reports may take time to produce. That means that, in some cases, your collision report may not be the first piece of evidence you seek. That is because your report can take several days to complete.
Following your collision, investigators and other officials will need to complete an analysis of the crash, and the responding deputy must finalize the report. Your report is processed and transferred to the records bureau at that point.
Because of the many steps to ensure that your traffic accident report is as accurate and useful as possible can take several days or even weeks to finalize this report. A report can take around 10 days to be available in Santa Ana. Fortunately, after this point, you can request your traffic report and get the help you need.
Your Options to Request an Accident Report in Santa Ana
When pursuing a copy of your Santa Ana car accident report, be sure that you have the right materials and information to pursue this report. First, you must be the person who filed the report or someone who was directly involved in the accident. You must also be able to present a valid picture ID, and you will need to pay any related fees.
However, the specific details of how to get your own copy of that police report can vary. Even the fees you may pay will depend on the specific method you choose to get a copy of your police report. Keep in mind that you have multiple avenues to pursue a car accident report, such as below.
Phone Requests
One of the most common ways to get a copy of your police report is to call. The Santa Ana Police Department Records Division can be reached at 714-245-8600 to learn more about our services and what you can expect when you make a report request.
If the Orange County Sheriff’s Department oversaw your case, you may need to contact their records unit at 714-834-6454 to confirm whether they have your report ready and what next steps you can take to make a report request. This unit can provide the information you need and can help you navigate the request process. Remember that phone lines for this department are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Email Report Requests
For those whose cases are handled by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, you may be able to save time and effort by filing an electronic version of the real quest authorization for release of case information form via email. If you choose to make a report request by email, you will need to download and complete this form, save it to your computer, and attach that document to an email to the sheriff’s department. You can then email that form to reportrequest@ocsheriff.gov.
In-Person Accident Report Requests
In some cases, you may instead wish to speak to another person directly, process your payment in person, and provide your photo ID at the records division itself. To do so in person, you can always visit the records division in Santa Ana, which is open between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This department is located here:
320 North Flower Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
Mail-In Car Accident Report Requests
If you would prefer to make your report request through the mail, you can print out the correct forms, make copies of your ID, and send your fee by mail. To do so, you can send your request to:
PO Box 449
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Allow a few extra days for your mail to be processed and delivered to the sheriff’s Department.
You can also send your request via fax. In these cases, you will send the appropriate information to 714-834-5466. Once your request is received, the police department will handle your request accordingly.
It Can Take Time to Process Your Police Report
While many parties may need a copy of the car accident report for your Santa Ana crash, these reports are not available for free and may not be available immediately. While this means that we can spend more time focusing on other evidence in the meantime, knowing what to expect is important to taking action on your claim. Below are a few details you need to know as you pursue a car accident report.
You May Need to Pay for Your Police Report
When pursuing a Santa Ana car accident report, keep in mind that you may have fees to pay before you are given your report. In Santa Ana, each report is $0.15 per page, so the specific value of your report will depend on its length. Once you pay this amount, you will be given your report.
Keep in mind that the specific method of delivery can impact the cost of your report. For example, while requesting a crash report online may be more convenient, you will be charged a $10 convenience fee. This can be done through the LexisNexis portal.
Remember to save any receipts for the cost of your car accident report and other related expenses. Because these expenses were a direct result of your accident, you may be compensated for these costs, providing you reimbursement for any related expenses following your accident. We can help maximize the value of your claim from seemingly small expenses like this to larger expenses for catastrophic injuries like brain trauma, spinal cord damage, and burns.
Car Accident Report Request Processing Times
Remember that your report will not be available right away. On average, it can take 7 to 10 days to complete the finalization process for your report, including finalization by the deputy, approval by the Sergeant, and submission to the information management bureau for processing. If your case was handled by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, you may need to wait 45 days, and other issues can lead to delays.
For example, this typically refers to business days. That means that if your accident happened near a holiday, it may take longer to process your records. Likewise, holidays involving higher traffic can lead to more accidents, leading to a larger workload through the records division.
If your car accident report has not yet been processed, do not panic. We can take other steps to help advance your claim, even if we do not yet have your accident report in hand.
How a Legal Professional Can Provide the Support You Need
Getting your accident report is crucial to the accident claim proceedings in the wake of a Santa Ana car accident. However, you may need more evidence along with other steps to pursue your Santa Ana car accident lawsuit. Fortunately, we are here to help.
Our aid begins with a free consultation, during which we can discuss the specifics of your lawsuit. We may determine whether you have grounds for an accident claim before helping you gather evidence and determining what your compensation should be worth. If you are unsure how to proceed with a car accident claim, we provide the necessary tools to help you recover.
One of the most important benefits we provide for our clients is our representation in the courtroom. In the wake of the Santa Ana car accident, you are already injured and suffering, and without experience, it is easy to make a major mistake. Our team works hard to help our clients by pursuing compensation on their behalf while they focus on healing.
We offer comprehensive legal services for our clients. If you are unsure what services you need or how best to approach your claim, know that our team offers guidance and support for both
Reach Out for the Tools and Resources You Need to Tackle Your Santa Ana Car Accident Claim
As you navigate a Santa Ana car accident, your report can be a key part of the evidence that moves your claim forward. However, if you are unsure how to get your accident report in Santa Ana, you may face difficulties that impact your ability to recover. Fortunately, our team at Text Kevin Accident Attorneys is here to help.
Experienced personal injury lawyers like our team can be crucial to your recovery in the wake of a car accident. When you are ready to take action, we provide free consultations for our clients, providing the support and representation you need when someone else’s negligence injures you. Call or fill out our online contact form to learn more about our services.
