How long does it take to get an Accident Report from Fresno Police Department?

If you have involved in a car crash or any other car accident, you are legally required to file a report with the police. You can do this by calling 911 or your local police department, though which agency will respond depends on the location of your accident. The officer who comes out to the scene will take down many important details from you, the other driver, any all the involved parties, including eye witnesses. This information will be compiled into a traffic accident report, which you will need in order to file a claim bodily injuries and/or property damage.

If your accident report was filed by an officer with the Fresno Police Department, you may be curious about the amount of time it takes before you can ask for a copy of the report. You may also be wondering about the ordering process and whether you will have to pay for a copy of your accident report.

How long does it take to get an Accident Report from Fresno Police Department?

If you were involved in an auto or truck accident, a copy of your report should be available after 48 hours from the incident. The fastest way to obtain your report is to order a copy online. To place an order, you’ll need to go to the Fresno Police Department website and click the “Order Collision Report” link. This will take you to the Lexix Nexis Buy Crash system, where you can locate your report by name, report number, location, and date of accident.

If you’d rather obtain a copy of your accident report in person, you can visit the Fresno Police Department Records Lobby. Keep in mind, however, that wait times can be quite long. Unlike some other departments, Fresno PD does not have text alerts to let you know when your report is ready for pickup, so you must be prepared to wait in the Lobby until your report is ready.

The final option is to request a copy of your report by mail, which you can do by sending a letter with your case number, name, date and time of the accident, the type of accident, and why you are requesting the report. You will also need to provide a copy of your driver’s license as proof of identification.

If your report is not available after 48 hours, it may still be under investigation. This is common for accidents with serious injuries, fatalities, or suspicious circumstances. In such cases, it may take several months before an accident report can be released. However, the vast majority of traffic accidents are fairly straightforward, so a copy of your report should be in the system within a few days of your accident.

If you believe you’ve waited long enough and your report has not been finalized, it may be time to contact an attorney. The Fresno PD is usually fast and efficient when it comes to collision reports, but they are prone to errors, just like any other government agency. Our lawyers can usually locate a copy of your accident report within a few days, or find out as much as information as possible in order to support your injury claim.

What if I need a copy of a Pedestrian Accident Report?

If a driver hits a pedestrian instead of another driver, the reporting procedures are the same as any other car accident. Police must be called, and a traffic collision report will be generated with details of the accident. If the driver hit you and did not stop, you must still call the police and file a hit and run report. This is a more complicated situation than a standard car accident, as hit and runs are criminal offenses. In California, a hit and run with no bodily injury is charged as a misdemeanor. If the accident caused bodily injury or death, the driver will be charged with a felony. As this is a criminal matter, the investigation may take several weeks to several months, maybe more, depending on the complexity of the accident.

A criminal investigation does not take away your right to sue for damages if you were involved in a pedestrian accident. Being hit by a car often results in serious injuries that require long-term medical treatment. A lawsuit against the driver can cover your medical expenses and compensate you for damages like lost wages and emotional distress. Our lawyers will be happy to advise you of your rights during a free consultation.

Do I Need to Pay for a Copy of my Accident Report?

Reports that are ordered using the online system will cost $12 per copy. However, collision reports that are 10 pages or less are free if you visit the Fresno PD Records Lobby or send a written request through the mail. If your report is more than 10 pages, you will be charged 20 cents per page for a copy of the report. For most people, mailing in a report request or going to the records department would be the cheapest option, even if they have to pay 20 cents per page. However, there’s no denying that the online option is much faster and more convenient.

How can I Change a Mistake on my Accident Report?

Mistakes on a police report are frustrating to deal with, as they can hold up your claim or cause it to be denied by the insurance company. If the error can be easily proven, like the make and model of your car, then you shouldn’t have any problems asking for it to be changed on your report. But some things are not so easy to prove, and you are likely to face resistance from the responding officer when you point out the mistake.

If you are in this situation, please contact us right away so that we can start the process of gathering evidence to support your claim. For example, there may be surveillance footage of your accident from a traffic light or a dash cam in one of the involved vehicles. We may also be able to locate witnesses that were not questioned by the responding officer. The available evidence will vary depending on the circumstances of your accident, but you can be sure that it will be uncovered by our experienced attorneys. However, this information will be harder to locate as time goes on, so please don’t delay in giving us a call.
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Why is my Lawyer not Helping me with my Accident Report?

It’s hard enough when you’re struggling to get a copy of your accident report, or need to have something changed on your report. If you have a lawyer already, it’s their duty to assist you with these issues and ensure that there are no unnecessary delays in your case. Unfortunately, some lawyers fail to provide the level of service their clients deserve, leaving many of them to wonder if they can switch to another lawyer.

The answer is yes, but you should speak with another attorney to ensure that you are making the right choice. One of our attorneys can evaluate your case and advise you of your options during a free second opinion consultation. During this time, we can go over the issues you have your lawyer and see if there are serious problems with the way they’re handling your case. We can also go over the terms for ending your contact with your current law firm so that you’re aware of the consequences. As for transferring your case to our firm, you won’t have to worry about a thing since we’ll take care of the whole process for you.

To learn more about what Normandie can do for you, contact our office and schedule a free second opinion.

Contact Normandie Law Firm

Can accidents may be an everyday occurrence in California, but that doesn’t make them any less traumatic for the victims. With our decades of experience recovering settlements for injury victims, we know the pain, emotional anguish, and financial insecurity that you may be going through as a result of your accident. Monetary compensation is essential to resolving these problems, but there are many obstacles that can stand in the way between you and the damages you’re entitled to.

The lawyers of Normandie can defeat these obstacles and ensure that you are fairly compensated by the responsible party. We will take immediate action on problems like errors in your police report or stall tactics by insurance companies to avoid paying your claim. As for our legal fees, that will never be your responsibility when you choose our law firm. Our fees are paid by the defendant as a part of your settlement award, so the only way we get paid if we win your case. That’s a promise under our Zero fee guarantee, whether you’re starting the claims process or you’re coming to us from another law firm.

Don’t delay in giving us a call and scheduling a time to speak with one of our attorneys. Legal options are available, but you must act right away to recover your losses and provide the best quality of life for you and your loved ones.