If the police, sheriffs, or highway patrol arrive at the scene of a collision, or any other government entity, chances are a collision report was made. The agents at the scene of the incident will provide a report number which can be used to request a copy of a report several ways. If a report number was not provided, a search can still be made by providing information regarding the incident, including the date, time, location, and the information regarding the parties and the vehicles involved. In Los Angeles, it takes approximately thirty to sixty days for a report to be made available, absent certain special circumstances that result in expedited reports.
Obtain A Copy Through The Online Portal
Most places, such as the Los Angeles Police Department, Anaheim Police Department, Beverly Hills Police Department, Burbank Police Department, Culver City Police Department, Glendale Police Department, Oceanside Police Department, Orange Police Department, Pasadena Police Department, San Diego Police Department, Santa Barbra Police Department, and Ventura Police Department use an online portal through LexisNexis. The portal can be reached at https://policereports.lexisnexis.com/search/?AGENCY=CA0194200&lang=en. The portal requires the state, jurisdiction, involved party’s information, date of incident, location of incident, and/or the report number.
Obtain A Copy Through Mail
Most departments have a way of requesting the report through mail. Each department has their own form, address, and amount of payment for requesting the report. Make sure to check the proper police department that has jurisdiction over the incident and/or arrived at the incident. Call ahead to ensure the report is ready.
To obtain a copy of a collision report from the Los Angeles Police Department, download and complete the Traffic Collision Report Request form available at http://lapdonline.org/obtain_a_traffic_collision_report and return it with a $33 check or money order payable to the LAPD to:
Los Angeles Police Department
Records and Identification Division
P.O. Box 30158
Los Angeles, CA 90030
What About Reports Made By The Fire Department?
Each fire department has their own forms to fill out and procedures to follow to obtain medical and billing records from the fire department.
To obtain records from the Los Angeles Fire Department, download and fill out the form available at https://www.lafd.org/sites/default/files/pdf_files/LAFD%20PHI%20Authorization%20Form_0.pdf. The form requires information regarding the date, time, location of the incident, and the involved parties. Once the form is filled out, a check must be sent along with the form for $13.00 made payable to the LAFD and mailed to:
Los Angeles Fire Department
Attention EMS Records Custodian
200 North Main Street
Suite #1620
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Can I Get Copies Of The 911 Calls Made Regarding The Car Accident?
Each department has their own forms to fill out and procedures to follow to obtain medical records from the fire department.
To 911 phone call records for calls made in Los Angeles County, the request must be submitted with the Los Angeles Fire Department. The form is available at https://www.lafd.org/sites/default/files/pdf_files/LAFD%20PHI%20Authorization%20Form_0.pdf. The form requires information regarding the date, time, location of the incident, and the involved parties. Once the form is filled out, a check must be sent along with the form for $10.00 made payable to the LAFD and mailed to:
Los Angeles Fire Department
Attention EMS Records Custodian
200 North Main Street
Suite #1620
Los Angeles, CA 90012
What If There Was A Fatality, Where Can I Get The Coroner’s Report?
Coroner’s reports made for victim ins Los Angeles County can be found at http://mec.lacounty.gov/.
A Lawsuit Can Be Filed To Recover Medical Expenses, Time Lost From Work, Pain & Suffering, And Other Damages
California Civil Code § 3281 states in pertinent part, “every person who suffers detriment from Personal Injury, the unlawful act or omission of another, may recover from the person in fault a compensation in money, which is called damages.” California law limits recovery to actual harm caused to the victim. Those damages are divided into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include “objectively verifiable monetary losses” which includes past and future medical expenses, past and future lost earnings, lost earning capacity, and loss of use of real property. California Civil Code § 1431(b)(1). The amount recoverable for medical care and services must be reasonably and attributable to the injuries suffered from the incident. However, when determining future medical costs, the calculation can get difficult, since the medical treatment has not yet occurred. Typically, an attorney will consult with an expert in the field to evaluate your injuries to determine any future medical care and assign a reasonable value to the care.
Contrary to economic damages, non-economic damages include “subjective non-monetary losses” which includes pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, injury to reputation, and humiliation. California Civil Code § 1431(b)(2). Emotional injuries include mental injuries such as fear, insomnia, grief, worry, inconvenience and the loss of enjoyment of life.
California Civil Procedure Code § 335 states that all claims for personal injuries must be brought within two years of the incident.
Consult with an attorney
Lawyers are not experts in math, but they are experts in the law. Following an auto accident, it is important to have an attorney when reporting a claim to make sure all rights are protected and to ensure maximum recovery of the claim. Regardless of whether there are any injuries or damages, if an accident is being reported, seek consultation with an attorney.
Do not wait, never hesitate, and reach out to a professional attorney who is ready to work for you.
