Get Police Blotter Vehicular Accident

Home » Glossary » Accident Report: Legal Definition. An accident report is a document that includes details about an accident including the type and how it happened.

Collisions. Collisions will be reported for 3 years from the collisions date. If a collision was reported by law enforcement and the record contains a commercial vehicle or hazardous materials indicator, the collision will be reported for 10 years from the collision date.

Insurance companies pay close attention to the code entered here by the investigating officer. The codes include 1 for "Fatal Injury," 2 for "Incapacitating Injury," 3 for "Non-Incapacitating Injury," 4 for "Possible Injury," 5 for "No Injury" and 99 for "Unknown."

Car accident reports are not generally a matter of public record in California. A copy of the report can be obtained from law enforcement. If you were involved in a car accident and sustained injuries, it's essential to get a copy as soon as possible to ensure all the information is correct.

You can obtain a copy of your California Highway Patrol accident report either through the mail or in person at your local Highway Patrol office. There is a $10 charge for reports up to 25 pages in length.

Print and complete form CHP 190 and submit in person or mail to your nearest Area office.

Police Departments: State and local law enforcement agencies may also be able to provide basic information about auto accidents. If you call a local police department, they may be able to tell you if an official crash report listed a person's name as having been involved in an accident in recent days/hours.

Police Departments: State and local law enforcement agencies may also be able to provide basic information about auto accidents. If you call a local police department, they may be able to tell you if an official crash report listed a person's name as having been involved in an accident in recent days/hours.