How long does it take to get a Copy of a Car Accident Report?

Most of us have been trained to call the police in the event of a car accident from the moment we get our driver’s license. Many people call 911, but you can also call your local police if no one is seriously injured. This will result in a law enforcement officer coming out to the scene and writing up an accident report. Without an accident report, you won’t be able to file an insurance claim, so it’s essential to be as accurate as possible when answering the officer’s questions. But your job isn’t over once the officer lets you go; you still have to wait for a copy of the report.

That brings up an important question: how long does it take to get a copy of a car accident report?

It all depends on the law enforcement agency that’s responsible for handling your claim. In Los Angeles, the responsible agency may be the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the L.A. County Sheriff’s Office, or the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Each one of these agencies has their own timeline for processing an accident report. This is important to know, as you’ll want to obtain a copy of your report as soon as possible and get started on a claim with the insurance company. However, there may be other questions you have on your mind, such as:

• Do I have to pay for a copy of the accident report?
• What if there’s a mistake or missing information on my police report?
• Can a lawyer help me get a copy of my accident report?

We are happy to provide answers on these topics, but keep in mind that we can only give general information. For questions specific to your own accident, please give us a call and speak with one of our attorneys.
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How long does it take to get a Copy of a Car Accident Report from LAPD?

The amount of time you’ll need to wait for a copy of your car accident report depends on the complexity of your accident. Generally, a preliminary report will be ready within 5 business days. If your accident resulted in little to no injuries and the details are fairly straight forward, this may be all that’s needed. However, accidents with serious injuries, fatalities, and other complicated details need more examination. In that case, the preliminary report cannot be released until there is a thorough investigation. This is why many reports are held up for weeks, sometimes even months.

Currently, the LAPD is advising that it can take up to 45 days before a finalized copy is available. Once the final report is loaded into their system, you can request a copy online or through the mail. However, accidents involving an arrest, juvenile, or fatality cannot be ordered online. To ask for a copy through the mail, you’ll need to download and complete the Traffic Collision Report from the LAPD website and mail it to the department with a check or money order for $16.00.

Frankly, the LAPD is notoriously slow with releasing copies of car accident reports, even if the reports are ready to go. The fastest way to secure a copy of a traffic accident report is to work with a personal injury lawyer. Our attorneys have handled countless accident report requests from victims who were fed up with the LAPD’s delays. We know the right people to contact in order to expedite your request. If the report is still being finalized, we can obtain as much information as possible and immediately get to work on your case.

How long does it take to get a Copy of a Car Accident Report from LA County Sheriff’s Office?

If your car accident report was filed by the LA County Sheriff’s Office, it will take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks before a copy of the report is available. As stated above, complicated accidents will take longer to investigate, and will need to be reviewed by the agency’s upper management before it can be released. In that case, it can take one to several months before the finalized car accident report is released to you.

You can obtain a copy in person by visiting the county’s Public Services Unit from Monday to Thursday. People are helped on a first-come, first serve basis, so it’s best to get there as early as possible. Still, this is a very busy office with many requests, so you should prepare for a long wait. The office does, however, offer a text messaging service to let you know your copy is ready in case you are unable to wait.

If you’d like to request a copy of your accident report by mail, you’ll need to submit a written request to the agency’s Correspondence Unit. There’s a lot of information you’ll need to include with your request, including notarized copies of acceptable identification. This process can be challenging for some victims, and it’s not surprising that many of these requests are denied. Considering it takes up to 2 to 3 weeks just to hear back from the LA County Sheriff’s Office, a denial of your request can be incredibly frustrating.

Our lawyers can take the stress off your shoulders by handling your car accident report request with the LA County Sheriff’s Office. We have methods for expediting mail requests and ensuring that a copy of your report is released as soon as possible. Give us a call and speak to a car accident injury attorney without delay.

How long does it take to get a Copy of a Car Accident Report from CHP?

The California Highway Patrol is fairly quick with reports for minor accidents. As long as there are no fatalities or severe damages, your accident report may be ready in just 3 to 5 days. But if your accident has circumstances that demand a full investigation, the report may not be ready for several weeks or months.

To request a copy of traffic accident report with CHP, you can visit the CHP area office where the report was filed. Or, you can complete the online form (CHP 190) and mail it to the agency with the applicable fee. Each area office charges their own fee, so you’ll need to contact them ahead of time to figure this out. As you can see, the California Highway Patrol does not make it easy for victims to get a copy of their car accident report. Like the LA County Sherriff’s Office, CHP does not offer an online option for ordering accident reports. Additionally, you have to call ahead to figure out the fee and payment method – and that’s after you determine which local office you would need to call.

Accident victims are easily overwhelmed by the process, particularly when their report is tied up for weeks with no explanation. The lawyers of Normandie can take care of this process for you, along with anything else that’s needed for your insurance claim. For car accident attorneys that get results, contact our office and schedule a free consultation.

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

It’s no secret that law enforcement agencies promise one thing and do another. This is sadly the case with car accident reports, which there is no shortage of in Los Angeles County. In spite of the turnaround times stated on agency websites, it can take much longer to finalize a traffic accident report. But those timelines mostly concern accidents with severe injuries or fatalities. If those situations don’t apply to your accident, you may be wondering why it’s taking so long to get a copy of your accident report.

In all honesty, police departments are like any other government agency. There are bureaucratic holdups, apathetic workers, and careless mistakes. It’s not unheard of for an accident report to slip through the cracks or sit on a supervisor’s desk for weeks at a time. And it’s common for frustrated motorists to call day after day to inquire about their report, only to be told “We’ll look into it.”

Most people waiting on accident reports only get results once they hire an attorney. A case that’s being handled by a lawyer is more likely to be taken seriously by the authorities. Having handled car accident lawsuits for many years, we know how to cut through the red tape and acquire the necessary information. To learn more about the actions we can take on your behalf, don’t hesitate to contact our office.

Can I ask for a Correction if there’s a Mistake in my Accident Report?

It’s frustrating to find errors or false information in your police report, but the best thing you can do is calm yourself down and contact the responding officer that filed the report. Unfortunately, police officers are generally reluctant to make changes on a finalized report without concrete evidence. That’s easy to prove in cases like wrong insurance policy numbers or make and model of car. But false witness statements, misquoting how fast you were driving, and other details are not so easy to prove.

This is an extremely stressful situation, as you are unable to submit an erroneous accident report to the insurance company. So what can you do if the police refuse to alter your car accident report?

Can a Lawyer Help me with a False Accident Report?

If you’re getting nowhere with the police, make sure to contact an experienced car accident attorney right away. We’ve dealt with many of these cases here at Normandie and know the kind of evidence law enforcement agents are looking for. Depending on the details of your accident, we may be able to recover:

• Statements from witnesses who were not included in your report.
• Footage from surveillance cameras.
• A timeline of your accident with new details to support your claim.

These types of evidence are difficult for the average person to obtain. Even if you manage to find them, getting ahold of the right official who will take you seriously can be challenging. Our lawyers know who to speak with and the methods for resolving the errors in your accident report. All you have to do is contact our office and schedule a free consultation.

Speak with a Car Accident Injury Attorney

Car accidents are all too common in the state of California, and it’s crucial for insurance claims to be processed as soon as possible. The laws are straight forward on the process victims will need to follow in order to obtain compensation. But many factors are beyond the motorist’s control, like the amount of time it takes to release a copy of a car accident report. Many claimants struggle to get answers for the most basic questions, like why it’s taking so long to finish the investigation or why a copy of the report is still unavailable in their system.

By the time these victims come to us, they’re defeated and terrified that they will not be able to receive the funds that are so vital to their recovery. Our lawyers will take immediate action on your behalf and obtain a copy of the accident report in the most efficient manner. That way, you can build a case for the full value of your damages. Best of all, our services are free from the moment you walk through our doors. We offer a Zero fee guarantee, where all our fees are deferred until you are compensated for your injuries. In short, you pay nothing upfront, no matter how much work is needed on your case.

Don’t struggle alone when law enforcement agencies are denying you the information you’re entitled to. Contact Normandie Law Firm and let us fight for your rights as an auto accident injury victim.