How long does it take to get a Car Accident Report from Long Beach Police Department?

When it comes to car accidents, there is no document more important that the police report. That’s why most of us trained from an early age to call the police if we’re ever involved in a car crash. The report will establish the facts of your accident, which are necessary for the processing of an insurance claim. That way, you can be compensated for your physical and mental injuries, as well as the damage to your car. Many people assume that it will be easy to get a copy of their accident report. Just wait a few days for the report to be filed, then ask the police department for a copy, right?

Unfortunately, the timeline for the processing of a police report varies greatly from city to city. Each department also has their own procedures for how to request a copy of the report and how much it will cost. But finding this information isn’t always easy, nor is every police department eager to assist when you call with questions about a car accident report.

Below is some information on the process of obtaining an accident report from Long Beach PD. However, this article is for general purposes only, and it’s very likely that you have further questions regarding your rights and legal options. In that case, please give us a call and speak to an experienced car accident lawsuit attorney.

How long will it take to get my Accident Report from Long Beach PD?

According to the Long Beach Police Department website, it takes 3 weeks on average before a traffic accident report is ready for release. A copy of the report may be ready sooner if your accident is straight-forward with minimal injuries. However, accidents involving death, severe injuries, or damage to government property can take much longer, as they will need to be reviewed by the department’s Accident Investigation Detail unit.

To get a copy of your report, you’ll need to download and complete the Application for Release of Traffic Collision Report from the Long Beach PD website. You can deliver the completed form in person or mail it to the police department’s Records Division. Unfortunately, there is no option to retrieve a copy online, so you will have to call and check up on the status of your report after submitting the request form.
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Will Long Beach PD Charge me for a Copy of my Accident Report?

Yes, you will have to pay a fee of $25.10 for a copy of your traffic accident report, which will need to be paid at the time you submit the Application for Release. If you’re submitting the application in person, you can make a check or cash payment with the clerk at the Public Safety Building. For mailed applications, only checks will be accepted.

Why is it taking so long to Release a Copy of my Accident Report?

Three weeks is long enough to wait for an accident report, but what if it’s been a month or more and you still can’t obtain a copy of your accident report? It’s frustrating to know that this important document is holding up your accident claim. Yet, there’s not much you can do besides calling the police on a daily basis and asking if your accident report is ready.

The car accident injury lawyers of Normandie are ready to help you if you are dealing with this situation. Frankly, it’s a constant battle for the Long Beach PD to review and process car accident reports in a timely manner. Even when the reports are ready, it’s not unusual for them to sit on a supervisor’s desk for several weeks. With our many years of experience, our lawyers can cut through the red tape and retrieve a copy of your accident report. If the report is not finalized, there’s still information we can obtain from the preliminary report in order to build your case.

If you feel that the Long Beach PD is taking too long with your accident report, please reach out to us at our office.

What if there’s a Mistake on my Accident Report?

This happens more often than you think, and it’s not always the responding officer’s fault. Accident scenes are chaotic, with everyone trying to talk and get their points across at the same time. It’s the officer’s duty to work through people’s emotions and try to obtain clear, accurate answers. But it’s not surprising that an officer can write down the wrong information, or misquote the driver or witnesses. In some cases, a driver may try to evade liability by giving false information or asking a witness to lie for them. This isn’t a mistake by the officer, but it’s false information that can affect your right to damages.

So what can you do if there are mistakes or inaccuracies in your police report? The first step is to contact the responding officer and see if they’ll correct the errors. They’ll need proof to back up your request, which can be easily supplied in cases like wrong birthdate or license plate number. But other details are much harder to prove, and you are certain to face resistance from the police department.

If you are struggling to have an accident report amended, give us a call as soon as possible. Our attorneys have worked with many clients in this situation and know the type of evidence that the Long Beach PD is looking for. Evidence can include new witness statements, surveillance footage from dash cams, and testimony from highway safety experts. To learn more about the ways we can help you with a false or incorrect accident report, contact our office and schedule a free consultation.

Free Second Opinion

Some clients find their way to us after they’ve filed a lawsuit. They have an attorney, but they’re not getting the level of work or attention that they deserve. Perhaps you’re unable to get in touch with your lawyer, and even when you do, their answers are vague or you don’t understand what they’re saying. You may also be concerned about the lack of progress in your case month after month. If you are facing difficulties with your current attorney, please schedule a free second opinion with the lawyers of Normandie.

Changing attorneys is completely up to you in the state of California, even with an active lawsuit. However, there are consequences to switching lawyers, depending on how far along you are in your case. We can explain these terms to you and make sure that making the change is in your best interest.

By the way, you won’t have to worry about the awkwardness of firing your attorney when you choose to work with us. We’ll contact your current law firm as well as the court, and take care of the transfer process from start to finish. For a free second opinion with one of our attorneys, contact our office at your earliest convenience.

The California Car Accident Lawyers of Normandie

Many victims start the injury claims process thinking that they can figure things out on their own. However, there’s a good chance you’ll run into problems, even with something as simple as a copy of your accident report. Are you frustrated over the lack of progress with your accident report by the Long Beach Police Department? Are there inaccuracies in your report that the responding officer is refusing to change? If so, contact the car accident injury lawyers of Normandie right away. We will take immediate action on your case and make sure the necessary documents are released in a timely manner. Then, we will fight aggressively for your damages and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your losses.

Best of all, there is absolutely no risk to your finances when you choose our law firm, since we offer a Zero fee guarantee. We get paid only if you receive your settlement award, so there are no upfront costs for any of our services. If we don’t win your case, we eat the costs and you will have zero responsibility for our legal fees. To learn more about what the lawyers of Normandie can do for you, contact our office and schedule a free consultation.