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Find out which agency wrote it
The report belongs to whichever agency responded. Inside a city, that is usually the city police department. On freeways and in many unincorporated areas, it is often the California Highway Patrol. In some areas it is the county sheriff. The officer may have given you a card or slip with a report number. If not, call the agency with the date, time and location.
In the Los Angeles area, city police, the county sheriff and several CHP offices all write collision reports, depending on where the crash happened. If you are not sure, start with the agency whose officers came to the scene, and ask them to point you to the right records office. Keep notes of who you spoke with and when.
Who can get a copy
The agency that prepared the report must release it to anyone with a proper interest. That includes a driver involved, an injured person, a vehicle or property owner, someone who may be liable, and an attorney who declares under penalty of perjury that they represent one of these people. Insurance adjusters often request it too, so expect the other side to read it.
The agency may charge a fee, but no more than its actual cost. Bring photo ID, your report number and proof of your connection to the crash if you go in person. Many agencies also accept requests by mail or online. If you have a lawyer, they can order it and send you a copy, which saves you the trips and phone calls.
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What the report says, and its limits
A collision report usually includes the drivers, vehicles, insurance information, witness names, a diagram and the officer’s notes. Some reports include the officer’s opinion about which driver caused the crash. That opinion carries weight with adjusters, but it can be challenged with photos, witnesses and other evidence. If the report gets facts wrong, ask the agency about adding a supplement.
California uses pure comparative fault, so fault can be split between drivers by percentage (Li v. Yellow Cab Co.). A report that blames you partly does not end your claim, and your share of blame can be argued with evidence. Read who is at fault in a rear-end crash and recovering when you were partly at fault.
The other reports you may need
The police report is one of several. Each driver must file the DMV SR-1 within 10 days when a California crash causes injury, death or more than $1,000 in property damage, whether or not they were at fault (Vehicle Code 16000). The police do not file it for you. For a hit-and-run uninsured motorist claim, the crash must be reported to police within 24 hours (Insurance Code 11580.2).
If no officer came to your crash, see no police report after a car accident for how to build your own record. If an Uber or Lyft was involved, the rideshare company keeps its own records of the trip, and getting them takes different steps: how to get an Uber or Lyft accident report.
What to do now
Write down the report number and the agency name, and request the copy within the first week or two. Keep your photos, witness contacts and medical records with it. Read the report carefully when it arrives and note any mistakes. Report the crash to your insurer and give them the report number, but keep that first call short.
Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer or sign a release before talking to a lawyer. Deadline: you generally have two years to file an injury lawsuit in California (Code of Civil Procedure 335.1). Call Beverly Law at (310) 552-6959 or use the form on this page, and we can request the report for you.
- Get medical care and follow up if symptoms change.
- Take photos of the vehicles, the scene and your injuries.
- Write down witness names and phone numbers.
- Keep every claim number and adjuster name in one place.
- Do not sign a release or give a recorded statement before talking to a lawyer.
- Save receipts for medical care, medicine, rides and car rentals.
Common questions
How long does it take to get a police report after a car accident?
It depends on the agency and how complex the crash was. Simple reports may be ready in a week or two, while reports on serious crashes can take longer. Call the agency with your report number to check. A lawyer can follow up for you so you do not have to keep calling.
How much does a California accident report cost?
The fee depends on the agency. California law limits it to the agency’s actual cost of providing the report. Ask the agency for its current fee when you request a copy. If you have a lawyer, the firm can order the report as part of handling your case.
Can I get the police report online?
Some agencies take requests online, others by mail or in person. Check the website of the agency that responded to the crash. You will usually need the report number, the date and the location, plus proof that you were involved in the crash or were hurt in it.
What if the police report is wrong?
Contact the agency and ask how to request a correction or add a supplemental statement. Factual errors, like a wrong plate or address, are easier to fix than the officer’s opinion. Keep your own evidence, such as photos and witness contacts, because it can show what really happened.
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Related pages
Car accident not my fault: what to do · Car accident not my fault: do I call my insurance? · Do I pay my deductible if the accident wasn’t my fault? · Will my insurance rates go up if I wasn’t at fault? · What to do after a car accident in California · All car and truck accident questions
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Important: This page is general information about California and Washington law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Last reviewed: November 5, 2026.