You can get a car accident police report in Los Angeles, CA, by placing a request online or by mail. If you were injured in a collision, you should contact a law enforcement officer. The police can visit the scene of your accident and complete a report about what happened. You may need this report when pursuing compensation for your injuries and other losses after the accident.
Getting a police report and filing a strong claim for damages after a car wreck can be a confusing and stressful process. Fortunately, a Los Angeles car accident lawyer can obtain the necessary documents, negotiate with insurers, and push for a settlement that covers your losses.
How to Get a Car Accident Police Report in Los Angeles, CA, Online
Currently, you can get a car accident police report in Los Angeles by visiting the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) online site. The LAPD refers to these reports as Traffic Collision Reports. If you would like to request your Traffic Collision Report online, you can do so by submitting an English or Spanish application.
Note that the LAPD suggests you wait at least 45 days after your accident to request a Traffic Collision Report online. If you request your report earlier, they may not have it available yet. An attorney can offer further advice on submitting an online request and work hard to gather all the evidence required to file a winning claim.
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How to Get a Los Angeles Car Accident Police Report Through the Mail
If you don’t have access to a computer or the internet, you do not have to request a Traffic Collision Report online. Instead, you can mail a request to the LAPD to get your car accident police report. In order to complete this process, you need to print off a Traffic Collision Report Request and complete it.
You must mail this completed request to the “Los Angeles Police Department, Records and Identification Division, Document Processing Unit, P.O. Box 30158, Los Angeles, CA 90030.
Along with your request, make sure that you include a check for $20.00. Note that your request will need to include the following pieces of information regarding your accident:
- Report number or incident number
- The time, date, and location of your accident
- The registration and license plate numbers of vehicles in the accident
You should expect to wait to get a Los Angeles, CA, car accident police report in the mail, as your request will have to be processed and then mailed back. Reach out to a dedicated car accident lawyer for more information about requesting a report by mail.
Only Some People Can Request a Car Accident Police Report
You should be aware that not everyone can request a car accident police report in Los Angeles, CA. Generally, your request will only be approved if you are the victim of a car accident or the representative for a victim of a car accident.
Additionally, the LAPD will not release all car accident police reports through their online request service. You must use the mail to request reports involving juveniles, arrests, or fatalities. Note that your car accident lawyer can request a copy of your car accident police report.
However, it may take a longer period of time for a legal professional to obtain your Traffic Collision Report. For this reason, you may decide to request the report on your own.
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Uses of a Car Accident Police Report in Los Angeles
You may be wondering if you need to request a car accident police report in Los Angeles. In general, the professionals recommend that you get a copy of your police report. A Traffic Collision Report can contain important information about:
- The driver at fault for the accident
- Injuries you sustained in the wreck
- The names of other involved drivers and witnesses
- Insurance information about other drivers
A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles can use the information contained in your Traffic Collision Report when building your claim. Police reports can serve as evidence in cases involving motor vehicle collisions. Your attorney can use this information when working to bring you compensation for your medical expenses and other losses.
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How an Attorney Can Help You After a Car Accident
In addition to obtaining a car accident report and using it to strengthen your claim, there are many other steps that a lawyer can take to get the compensation you need to recover from the collision. Here’s what a trusted attorney will do to get the results you deserve after a crash:
- Conduct a thorough investigation of the accident
- Gather witness statements, medical records, accident reconstructionist reports, surveillance footage of the crash, and other forms of evidence
- Use evidence to construct a strong insurance claim
- Negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to get a fair settlement
- Take your case to court and fight for the damages you’re owed at trial if a lawsuit is necessary
- Keep you updated throughout your case
- Answer any questions you have about getting a car accident police report in Los Angeles, CA
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Knowledgeable Attorney
If you’re still unsure how to get a car accident police report in Los Angeles, CA, reach out to the team at the Simmrin Law Group. We’ll meet with you for a free consultation, during which we will answer your questions, discuss your accident, and explain what we will do to get the compensation you need to move past this unfortunate incident.
Our team has two decades of legal experience and has served thousands of clients in California. You can count on us to provide the compassionate counsel and seasoned advocacy you need to get the most out of your car accident claim. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Call or text (626) 709-2523 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form