Getting a Car Accident Report in Sacramento

When you’ve been injured in a car accident in Sacramento, California, you’ll have the right to seek compensation from a negligent party (or their insurance company). You’ll need evidence to support your legal claim. One of the most important pieces of evidence you can have is your car accident report.

What’s In a Car Accident Report?

When you call 911 and report a crash in Sacramento, an officer will be sent to the scene to conduct a preliminary investigation, interview witnesses, issue citations, and potentially make initial assumptions of liability.

The officer will compile all of the information they gather in a car accident report, including:

• The time, date, and location of the car accident
• The names of parties involved in the wreck
• Details about weather and traffic conditions
• Drawings and/or diagrams of the collision
• Witness statements

In California, an accident report isn’t always admissible when a car accident lawsuit goes to trial. However, the report is still a critically valuable document you’ll need to have as you pursue compensation. Your Sacramento car accident lawyer will use the report as the foundation of their investigation into your crash and rely on the details to guide them throughout the claims process.

How Do I Get a Copy of My Car Accident Report in Sacramento?

File a claim with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or Sacramento Police Department, whichever agency responded to your car accident.

California Highway Patrol

You can request a copy of your accident report by bringing completed Form CHP 190 to a California Highway Patrol office in person or submitting it by mail. Your request must include a copy of your driver’s license or photo ID and a check to cover the fee for the car accident report.

Sacramento Police Department

Sacramento Police Department accident reports are available online. You can request a copy on the agency’s online portal between 5 and 10 days after you were involved in a collision. Online crash reports are $5.

Alternatively, you can request a copy of your accident report by mail. In your request, provide detailed information about the collision, including the report number, date and location, and vehicle license numbers, if available. Submit your request to the Sacramento Police Department at 5770 Freeport Blvd, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95822 ATTN: Records Report Request.

You can also ask your insurance company to get a copy of an accident report on your behalf.

Get a Copy of Your Sacramento Car Accident Report to Your Attorney

Your car accident report, along with other important pieces of evidence, will be instrumental in getting you compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and suffering. At Singleton Schreiber, our Sacramento car accident attorneys will carefully evaluate the report's details and use them to guide our investigation into your wreck. 

Don’t hesitate to call our Sacramento law office to discuss your car accident report or other aspects of your car accident lawsuit today. Members of our award-winning legal team are always available to take your call.