A traffic accident report is the most important piece of documentation in a claim for auto accident injuries. In fact, “Do you have the police report?” is the first question most insurance representatives ask when you call to report an accident. It’s okay if you don’t have one right at that moment, but you’ll need to have an estimate of when your accident report will be released. The length of time you’ll need to wait depends on the law enforcement agency that processed your accident report. For example, if the officer responding to your accident is with the San Diego Police Department, that’s the agency you’ll need to call for a copy of your report. Of course, the big question is: how soon can you ask for a copy of the report? Furthermore, will the San Diego PD charge me for a copy of my traffic accident report? What if there’s a mistake in the report – what do I do then?
The San Diego Police Department provides various methods for ordering a copy of an accident report, which we will go over in this article. We will also talk about the circumstances that can delay your accident report, and what you can do if you think it’s taking too long for the police to finalize your report.
Obtaining a copy of a police report is just one step in your journey to monetary compensation. The actions that are needed to resolve your claim depend on your injuries and the complexity of your accident. Additionally, figuring out a fair amount of damages to ask for is difficult for the average person. An experienced car accident injury lawyer can protect your rights and take the necessary steps to recover the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact the lawyers of Normandie right away.
How long does it take to get Copy of a Car Accident Report?
In the majority of cases, copies of police reports for a car or truck accident are available within 3 to 10 business days. However, that timeline increases depending on the complexity of your accident. In particular, reports for accidents with fatalities or severe injuries take the longest as they require more investigation. It’s not unheard of for these reports to be held up for several months, though as we’ve stated, this only applies to the most serious car accidents.
According to the San Diego PD, you should wait 7 days before calling or emailing the department to check up on the status of a car accident report. If it’s ready, you can pick it up in person at the San Diego Records Division, or have someone else pick it up for you as long as they have your written authorization. You can also order a copy through the mail or online using the link on the San Diego PD’s website.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$1.5 Million
$1.5 Million
$2 Million
$1.5 Million
$734,851
$600,000
How long does it take to get a Copy of a Pedestrian Accident Report?
A pedestrian accident report may take longer than the advised timeline of 3 to 10 days, depending on the victim’s injuries. The accident may also be a criminal matter if the driver didn’t stop after they hit someone. In that case, the needed investigation can hold up an accident report for months. But if the driver waited for police to arrive and the victim’s injuries are relatively minor, a report should be finalized within 2 to 4 weeks. As with car accidents and truck accidents, you can check up on the status of a report by calling the San Diego Police Department at 619-531-2846.
While these investigations can be lengthy, bureaucratic red tape and careless errors by department personnel can also create delays in the finalization of an accident report. An experienced pedestrian accident lawsuit attorney can cut through the red tape and recover a copy of your report in a timely manner. If you find yourself in this situation, contact our office right away and speak with one of our attorneys.
Will I have to Pay for a copy of my Accident Report?
Yes, there is a $12 fee for a physical copy of your accident report, which must be paid via check or money order. You can obtain an online copy as well, though the exact fees are not listed on the San Diego Police Department website. To order a copy online, you’ll need to submit an online request through LexisNexis eCrash, which is a database used by many other California police departments.
The online ordering process is fairly simple, though claimants can hit a snag if they don’t have a report number. This would have been given to you on by the responding officer, but it’s not unusual for things to get lost in the days following a car accident. Without all the needed information, the system will most likely have trouble locating your report. Accident victims can also run into this problem if they show up in person or ask for a traffic accident report through the mail. If you’re having with the San Diego Police Department over your accident report, just give a call and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Why is it taking so long to get a copy of my Traffic Accident Report?
In an ideal world, police departments deliver on the promises made on their websites regarding timelines for traffic accident reports. In reality, there are far too many victims who wait months for a copy of their accident report, making it that much harder to file an insurance claim. There are, of course, accidents that merit long investigations. Car crashes resulting in significant bodily injuries and accidents involving death should be given more consideration. But less serious accidents should be investigated and resolved within a couple of weeks.
Are you getting the run around from the San Diego Police Department every time you ask about your accident report? If so, don’t delay on giving us a call at our office. We know the right people to contact in these situations and the methods for retrieving the needed information.
Help – There’s a Mistake on my Accident Report!
Unfortunately, the battle may not be over once you receive a copy of your traffic accident report. You may find that there’s a mistake or false information, and it must be changed in order for your claim to be resolved in your favor. However, altering a finalized police report is difficult depending on what you need to have changed. If it’s not something simple, like the make and model of your car, the responding officer will most likely push back against your request.
You’ll need strong evidence to support your claim, which our attorneys can help you with. If you’re accident involved a commercial vehicle, for example, there should be dash cam footage showing exactly what happened. We may also be able to find witnesses that were not included in your original report, who may have information that can support your claim. Other forms of proof may be out there, so it’s important to act right away and collect the information while it’s still available. For assistance in getting a police report changed, reach out to us at our office and schedule a free consultation.
How Normandie can Help
Getting a copy of a traffic accident report seems like the easiest part of an insurance claim. Unfortunately, bureaucratic delays, errors, and missing information can make the process more complicated than it should be. An experienced personal injury lawyer is the best way to solve these issues, but you may be concerned about the cost associated with legal representation.
There’s no need to worry about that when you retain one of our attorneys. We’re on your side every step of the way, and will never ask you to pay upfront for our services. In fact, there is no cost to you at all until we recover your compensation award. And if we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing at all as a promise under our Zero fee guarantee.
Along with obtaining your accident report, we can help you calculate the value of your losses and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. If they refuse to play fair and offer you an adequate amount, we can file a lawsuit and fight for all the financial and emotional damages you’re entitled to. To get started, all you have to do is make that call and schedule a free consultation.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
San Diego International Airport Accident Attorney
San Diego Unified School District Sexual Assault Lawsuit
