How to Get a Crash Report in California
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in California, one of the most important documents you can obtain is your official California crash report (also called a traffic collision report). This report can be critical evidence for your insurance claim or personal injury case. At Tien Law Firm, we help accident victims throughout California navigate this process every day—and in this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to get a crash report in California, step by step.
Why Your California Crash Report Matters
A traffic collision report is often the single most influential piece of documentation in a car accident claim. It typically includes:
- Date, time, and location of the collision
- Names, contact information, and insurance details of all parties
- Vehicle descriptions and damage assessments
- Witness statements and contact information
- The investigating officer’s narrative and diagram of the crash
- Any citations issued
- Preliminary determination of fault (in many cases)
Insurance adjusters and personal injury attorneys rely heavily on this report to establish liability. If you’re pursuing a California car accident claim, getting your report quickly and reviewing it for accuracy should be one of your top priorities.
Step 1: Identify Which Agency Investigated Your Accident
The agency you need to contact depends on where your accident happened:
- California Highway Patrol (CHP)—investigates collisions on state highways, freeways, and unincorporated areas of the state.
- Local police department (LAPD, SFPD, San Diego PD, etc.)—investigates collisions occurring on city surface streets within that city’s jurisdiction.
- County sheriff’s department—handles collisions in unincorporated county areas not covered by CHP.
If you’re not sure which agency responded, check your accident scene paperwork, or call the local police non-emergency line and ask.
Step 2: Confirm You’re an Eligible “Party of Interest”
California law does not make traffic collision reports available to the general public. Under the California Vehicle Code, only specific parties of interest may request a copy, including:
- Drivers involved in the collision
- Passengers involved in the collision
- Pedestrians or bicyclists involved in the collision
- Registered owners of the vehicles involved
- Parents or legal guardians of a minor involved
- Insurance companies representing an involved party
- Attorneys representing an involved party (such as your personal injury lawyer)
If you’re working with Tien Law Firm, our team can request the report directly on your behalf once you’ve signed the appropriate authorization.
Step 3: Requesting a Report from the California Highway Patrol (CHP)
If CHP responded to your collision, you have a few options:
Online — CHP Crash Portal (Fastest Method)
The California Highway Patrol offers an official online crash portal at crashes.chp.ca.gov, where eligible parties can search for and purchase a digital copy of their report. You’ll typically need:
- The date of the collision
- The location or CHP incident/case number
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- A credit or debit card for the processing fee
By Mail or In Person—CHP 190 Form
You can also complete a CHP 190 (Request for Copy of Traffic Collision Report) form and submit it by mail or in person to the nearest CHP Area office. Fees generally range from $10 to $40, depending on the length of the report. If you don’t have a photo ID, your CHP 190 form must be notarized before submission.
Processing time: Most CHP reports are available within 7 to 10 business days after the collision, though reports involving serious injuries or fatalities can take significantly longer — sometimes several months — while the investigation is finalized.
Step 4: Requesting a Report from a Local Police Department
If a city police department handled your accident, the process varies by agency. Many California cities now use third-party digital portals such as LexisNexis BuyCrash to distribute reports online. For example:
- Online request: Search using your report/DR number or the date and location of the crash, along with your last name. A convenience fee (often $10–$15) usually applies.
- Waiting period: Many departments require a mandatory waiting period before a standard report becomes available, to allow time for internal review.
- Mail requests: If your accident involved an arrest, a fatality, or a minor, you may be required to submit a written request by mail rather than online, along with a check or money order for the applicable fee.
Because every city’s records department operates a little differently, it’s a good idea to check your specific city’s police department website or let an experienced California car accident attorney handle the request for you.
Step 5: Gather the Information You’ll Need Before You Request
Before starting your request, have the following ready:
- Report, case, or DR number (if you have it)
- Date and approximate location of the collision
- Names of drivers and vehicle owners involved
- Your driver’s license or another valid photo ID
- Payment method for any applicable fee
If you don’t have a report number, most agencies can look it up using the date, location, and names involved.
Step 6: Review Your Report Carefully
Once you receive your California traffic collision report, review it closely for accuracy. Errors in names, dates, vehicle descriptions, or the officer’s account of how the accident occurred can affect your claim. If you spot a mistake, contact the investigating officer’s division promptly to request a correction or file a supplemental statement.
What Is SWITRS, and Does It Help Me?
You may also come across the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), a CHP-maintained database that compiles statistical collision data from across California. While SWITRS is a valuable resource for researchers, safety analysts, and attorneys studying accident trends at a particular intersection or roadway, it is not a substitute for your official, case-specific crash report—it typically won’t contain the personal details or officer narrative you need for a claim.
How Tien Law Firm Can Help
Requesting a crash report can be straightforward, but it can also become confusing when reports are delayed, denied, or contain errors—especially in serious injury or fatality cases. At Tien Law Firm, our California personal injury attorneys:
- Request and obtain your official crash report on your behalf
- Identify errors or missing information that could hurt your claim
- Use the report as foundational evidence to build your case
- Handle communications with CHP, local police, and insurance companies so you can focus on recovery.
Links to Request California Crash Reports
To request a California crash report, first determine which investigating agency arrived at the scene, whether it was a city’s police department or the California Highway Patrol. Follow the links below to request a California crash report:
Request a LAPD Crash Report – Los Angeles
Request a California Highway Patrol Crash Report
Request an Anaheim Crash Report
Request an Arcadia Crash Report
Request a Bakersfield Crash Report
Request a Beverly Hills Crash Report
Request a Burbank Crash Report
Request a Campbell Crash Report
Request a California State University Fullerton Report
Request a Culver City Crash Report
Request an El Segundo Crash Report
Request a Fullerton Crash Report
Request a Garden Grove Crash Report
Request a Gardena Crash Report
Request a Glendale Crash Report
Request a Glendora Crash Report
Request an Irvine Police Department Crash Report
Request a Manhattan Beach Crash Report
Request a Milpitas Crash Report
Request a Montebello Crash Report
Request an Oakland Crash Report
Request an Ontario Crash Report
Request an Orange Crash Report
Request a Palo Alto Crash Report
Request a Pasadena Crash Report
Request a Placentia Crash Report
Request a Pleasanton Crash Report
Request a Redwood City Crash Report
Request a Riverside Crash Report
Request a Sacramento Crash Report
Request a San Diego Crash Report
Request a San Francisco Crash Report
Request a San Gabriel Crash Report
Request a San Jose Crash Report
Request a San Leandro Crash Report
Request a San Mateo Crash Report
Request a San Ramon Crash Report
Request a Santa Ana Crash Report
Request a Santa Barbara Crash Report
Request a Santa Clara Crash Report
Request a Santa Monica Crash Report
Request a Seal Beach Police Department Crash Report
Request a Simi Valley Crash Report
Request a South Pasadena Crash Report
Request a Stockton Crash Report
Request a Sunnyvale Crash Report
Request a Torrance Crash Report
Request an Upland Crash Report
Request an Union City Crash Report
Request a Ventura Crash Report
Request a West Covina Crash Report
Request a Westminster Crash Report
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a crash report in California? CHP reports are typically available within 7–10 business days, though fatality investigations can take months. Many local police departments require a waiting period of around 45 days before releasing standard reports online.
How much does a California crash report cost? CHP reports generally range from $10 to $40 depending on length. Local police reports obtained through online portals often carry a convenience fee of around $10–$15.
Who can request a copy of a California accident report? Only “parties of interest”—drivers, passengers, pedestrians, vehicle owners, their legal guardians, insurers, or attorneys representing them—may request a copy.
What if I don’t have a report number? You can still request your report using the date, location, and names of the parties involved; the agency can look up the case number for you.
Can my attorney get the crash report for me? Yes. As your legal representative, a personal injury attorney such as Tien Law Firm can request the report directly on your behalf once authorized.
Get Help After Your California Car Accident
If you’ve been injured in a car accident anywhere in California, don’t navigate the claims process alone. Contact Tien Law Firm today for a free consultation—we’ll help you request your crash report, protect your rights, and pursue full and fair compensation for you.