How do I get a copy of my traffic collision report?
By Jimin Oh, Founding Attorney, Solution Now Law Firm. Last updated: November 2026.
You request your traffic collision report from the law enforcement agency that responded to the accident, usually the local police department or the California Highway Patrol (CHP). In California, collision reports are not public records, but people with a proper interest in the accident, including the drivers, injured people, their attorneys, and their insurers, can request a copy (Vehicle Code section 20012). Reports often take several weeks to become available.
Which agency has my report?
The agency depends on where the accident happened:
- City streets: Usually the city police department, such as the San Jose Police Department, Fremont Police Department, or Fresno Police Department.
- Freeways and state highways: Usually the CHP, including crashes on Highway 101, Interstate 880, Interstate 680, and Highway 99.
- Unincorporated county areas: The CHP or the county sheriff’s office, depending on the location.
If you are unsure, check the card or paper the officer gave you at the scene. It usually lists the agency and the report number.
What do I need to request it?
Most agencies will ask for:
- The report number, if you have it
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- The names of the drivers involved
- Your photo identification and proof of your connection to the accident
- A fee, which varies by agency
For CHP reports, you submit a request form (CHP 190) to the CHP area office that handled the accident. City police departments have their own records units and request processes, and many accept requests online or by mail.
Examples: requesting a report from four local police departments
Each department has its own process. Here is how four departments in our area handle collision report requests. Procedures change, so check the department’s website before you go.
| Police department | How to request | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose Police Department | Online, by mail, or in person at the SJPD Records Unit, 201 West Mission Street, San Jose | Allow at least 45 days after the collision before checking online |
| Fremont Police Department | Submit an Application for Release of Information in person or by mail to 2000 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont | Processing may take up to 10 days |
| Fresno Police Department | Online, by mail, or in person at the Records Bureau, 2323 Mariposa Mall, Fresno | Available online 48 hours after the incident |
| San Francisco Police Department | Submit a request form by mail or email to the Report Management Section, 1245 3rd Street, San Francisco | Allow 10 business days after your request |
A few details worth knowing:
- San Jose will not release some reports online, including those involving a fatality, a felony hit-and-run, or an emergency vehicle. These must be requested by mail or in person.
- San Francisco prepares traffic collision reports only for hit-and-run, drunk driving, and personal injury cases. If no one was hurt, there may be no report.
- Most departments release reports only to people with a proper interest in the accident, such as the drivers, injured people, vehicle owners, their insurers, and their attorneys. Bring photo ID and, if you have it, the report number.
How long does it take?
It depends on the agency and the complexity of the accident. Simple reports may be available in a week or two. Reports involving serious injuries, deaths, or ongoing investigations can take much longer. Some agencies will not release a report until the investigation is complete.
What if the police didn’t come to the scene?
Police often do not respond to accidents without injuries. In that case, there may be no collision report. You can contact the local police department or CHP office to ask whether you can file a report after the fact. Either way, you still need to file an SR-1 with the DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured or property damage exceeds $1,000.
What does the report include?
A typical traffic collision report includes the drivers’ information, insurance details, witness names, a diagram of the accident, the officer’s observations, statements from the people involved, and sometimes the officer’s opinion about what caused the crash.
What if the report is wrong?
Mistakes in collision reports are common. A report may list the wrong insurance company, misspell a name, misstate what you told the officer, or reach a conclusion about fault that you disagree with.
Not every error matters. Some mistakes, such as a misspelled street name or the wrong vehicle color, have no effect on who was at fault, your injuries, or the value of your claim. Others can hurt your case, for example:
- The report names you as the driver at fault.
- It states that you said you were not injured, when you did not say that.
- It leaves out a witness who saw the other driver cause the crash.
- It lists the wrong direction of travel, lane, or point of impact.
Your attorney should be able to tell you which errors matter and what to do about them. Fixing an error that matters usually means contacting the agency and providing supporting evidence, such as photos, video, witness statements, or vehicle damage records. Departments are often willing to correct a clear factual mistake or add a supplemental report. Officers rarely change their opinion about who caused the accident, but the evidence you gather can still be used to challenge that opinion with the insurance company. Solution Now Law Firm can handle this for you: we review your report, identify the errors that could affect your claim, gather the evidence, and submit it to the police department.
Is the police report evidence of who was at fault?
Not in the way most people think. In California, a traffic collision report generally cannot be used as evidence at trial (Vehicle Code section 20013). There are good reasons for this:
- The officer usually did not see the accident. Most officers arrive after the crash is over.
- The report is based on what other people said. The officer records statements from drivers and witnesses. Those secondhand statements are not the same as testimony given under oath in court.
- The conclusion about fault is an opinion. When an officer writes who caused the accident, that is the officer’s view based on limited information at the scene, not a legal finding.
If your case goes to court, fault is decided by a judge or jury based on the actual evidence: testimony, photos, video, vehicle damage, and sometimes accident reconstruction experts.
That said, the report still matters. Insurance adjusters read it and often rely on it when deciding whether to accept responsibility and how much to offer. An unfavorable report can lead to a denied claim or a low offer, which is why it is worth addressing errors early and building evidence that tells the full story.
Can my attorney get it for me?
Yes. When Solution Now Law Firm represents you, we request the collision report for you and review it for errors that could affect your claim. We also look for other evidence, such as nearby surveillance video, before it is recorded over.
Every case is different
This page is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation. If you were injured in a car accident and need help getting your report, call Solution Now Law Firm for a free consultation.
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