After a car accident, obtaining a copy of your California accident report proves useful if you plan to file a lawsuit for your injuries. If the California Highway Patrol reported to the scene of your accident, it’s more than likely they created an accident report detailing specific facts about the incident.
Read on to learn how to obtain a copy of your California accident report.
What Is a California Accident Report?
A California accident report prepared by the California Highway Patrol is also referred to as the CHP 555 report. The traffic collision report includes the following information:
- Details of the collision,
- Date of the collision,
- Information collected by officers,
- Witness information and statements, and
- Estimated damage from the accident.
The report also provides information if any parties were impaired and driving under the influence. In some situations, a reporting officer may also make designations of fault based on their observations.
Who Can Request a Copy of a California Accident Report?
However, before CHP will release the report, you need to complete the CHP 190 form, Application for Release of Information. In this form, the CHP requests the following information:
- Date and location of the accident,
- The name of the individuals involved,
- Your relationship to the accident,
- Your address, and
- A photocopy of your identification card or driver’s license.
The CHP also requires payment of $10 to obtain a copy of the accident report. The individuals that may request a copy of a California accident report include the following persons:
- Insurance companies for the parties,
- Attorneys for the parties,
- Coroners,
- Family members of the victim,
- Parents of any minor children, and
- Involved parties.
The list of permitted individuals is not limited to the above list. Therefore, contact a personal injury attorney if you have questions about your California accident report.
You may obtain a copy of your accident report from a California Highway Patrol office or the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Getting the Report
You may obtain a copy of your California accident report one of two ways: by mail or in person.
To get your report by mail, you need to fill out a copy of the CHP 190 form and send it with a payment of $10.
It’s important to remember the office where your report was filed. The reporting officer usually files the report in the area where the accident occurred.
In Person
Similarly, an in-person request must be made at the CHP headquarters where the accident occurred. To obtain a copy of the accident report in person, you must also bring a photocopy of your identification card and the completed CHP 190 form.
Be sure to call the CHP headquarters and ensure your accident report is complete and ready for ordering.
Contact Us
The attorneys at Wells Call Injury Lawyers understand how to obtain and read California accident reports.
After an accident, the difficulty of gathering evidence while recovering from your injuries often feels like an overwhelming task. Let us get to work building a strong case entitling you to just compensation after a car accident.
The first step is contacting us! We provide free consultations. The attorneys at Wells Call Injury Lawyers are here to help!