How to Request Your Car Accident Report from the Sacramento Police Department
Requirements for Obtaining a Police Report in Sacramento
The driver, any passengers, the owner of the vehicle, or the parent/guardian of someone involved in an auto accident can request a police report from the Sacramento Police Department after it has been filed.
Required Information
Sacramento car accident reports requested from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and the following information will need to be provided:
- Date, time, and location of the car accident
- Names of the driver/vehicle owner
- Reason why the report is needed/being requested
- A signature on the Request for Report form
The CHP will also charge those requesting a report $10 per report up to 25 pages and up to $40 for a car accident report over 25 pages. These reports can be requested in person or through the mail.
It’s important to note that the police report about your car wreck should be requested from the proper office of the officer who wrote the report, as several different types of officers could arrive at an accident scene. Law enforcement officers who can serve as first responders in the event of a roadway collision could be from CHP, Sacramento Police Department, or the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office.
Reports from Sacramento PD are generally available seven to ten days after an accident, cost $5 to obtain, and can be requested online and by mail. However, if a fatality occurred in the car accident, it can take up to 90 days after the crash for a report to be made available.
Car Accident Report by Mail
If a driver is requesting the car accident report by mail, they will need to include the following information:
- The type of report being requested
- The report number/incident number
- The date and location of the accident
- The party/parties involved and their contact information
- The vehicle(s) license plate number(s)
- The insurance policy number if the requestor is an insurance company
- A release from an involved party if the request is being made by an attorney
- Authorizing documentation
Why Should You Obtain a Car Accident Report
Many people don’t know that they need a police report after a car accident or even that one is available. Drivers may not know what to do after a car accident and assume that the fender-bender they got into is no big deal – until they realize they may have an underlying injury resulting from the crash. Obtaining a car accident report from the Sacramento Police Department, no matter how major the damage, can greatly help those injured.
Not every car accident will result in immediate apparent injuries. Often, those involved will go into shock and may feel they are not injured due to the amount of adrenaline being experienced. Symptoms of injuries may not even appear for days or weeks. Not only that, but an impacted motor vehicle may not show signs of significant damage initially, only for the owner or driver to find out later that their car did indeed sustain damage in the car accident. When this happens and a driver does not have a police report, it will affect their ability to bring a successful personal injury claim for damages.
A police report is important to have, even after a seemingly minor incident, as it will help to document that the accident did occur, what happened to cause the accident, and other important details, sometimes even including which party law enforcement found to be at fault. Insurance companies will often require a police report to resolve a car accident claim. In the event your case moves forward into litigation in court, a car accident report will be among the most important documents an attorney will need for your case.
Police reports contain the following information:
- Where and when the accident occurred
- The damage to each vehicle
- Any immediate apparent injuries to those involved
- Any witness statements from the scene
- Statements from the drivers involved
- Any findings of traffic violations or fault
Once a car accident report has been written, the police officer will file it with the appropriate law enforcement office. It’s important to note that the police report will not be readily available immediately after it has been filed. It can take up to 10 days before a driver can get a copy of their car accident report.
No matter the severity, the time immediately after a car accident can be incredibly scary, confusing, and painful. Because we often become overwhelmed in these situations, those involved may be unaware they have suffered injuries or that their car has been damaged. Regardless, a police report should always be obtained after a Sacramento car accident to help prove the facts of your claim and to get those impacted the financial compensation for the car accident they need to heal and move forward.
The Sacramento car accident attorneys at Curtis Legal Group know just how upsetting the aftermath of a car accident can be. When a reckless driver injures you or someone you love, our legal team will make sure to hold the responsible parties accountable. If you or a loved one has been involved in a Sacramento car accident, contact us to begin your case investigation today.