How To Get A Copy Of Your Car Accident Report In Los Angeles

After a car accident, obtaining a copy of the car accident report can make it easier for you to establish who caused the accident. You may also need to review the report for any inaccuracies that could interfere with your accident claim. Do you know how to get a copy of your car accident report in Los Angeles?

Types of Car Accidents

Los Angeles car accidents can occur with little warning. Common collisions may include:

• T-bone collisions
• Rear-end collisions
• Sideswipe accidents
• Rollover accidents
• Head-on collisions
• All too frequently, Los Angeles car accidents may also include multi-car accidents due to the heavy traffic often moving through the city.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents throughout Los Angeles often occur as a result of driver error. Car accident causes may include:

• Driver distraction
• Driver inebriation
• Speeding
• Reckless driving behaviors
• Ignoring the rules of the road
• Failure to yield right of way
• Merging accidents

Care and attention on the road can help many drivers avoid dangerous accidents. Unfortunately, not all drivers exercise the care needed to help reduce the risk of a damaging accident.

What Happens After a Car Accident?

After a car accident, you should always summon the police to check out the scene of the accident and create a police report. A car accident report helps establish where and when the accident occurred and what factors likely contributed to the accident. Then, the insurance companies and your lawyer will use the information from the police report and any other evidence from the accident to help determine liability and the compensation you may deserve after your car accident.

If you need medical attention after a Los Angeles car accident, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Emergency medical care can help identify any immediate injuries and make it easier for you to recover from those injuries.

After a car accident, you will need to file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company to pursue compensation for the damage to your vehicle and any injuries you sustained during the accident. Often, in the case of an injury claim, that will mean a considerable negotiation period as you pursue the compensation you expect.

Reporting an Accident to the Los Angeles Police

Sometimes, you may need to call 911 to report an accident immediately. In other cases, however, you may need to file a police report with the Los Angeles police department. You must file a report online as soon as possible after an accident involving significant property damage or any type of injury. Make sure you have all the details from the accident, including:

• When and where it occurred
• The other party involved in the accident
• The vehicles involved in the accident

You may also need the other party’s insurance information. Even in the case of relatively minor vehicle damage, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation for repairs through the other party’s insurance company for the cost of those repairs.

How to Get a Copy of a Car Accident Report in Los Angeles

If you had a car accident in Los Angeles, you might need to get a copy of the police report to help determine who caused the accident or establish proof of what led to the incident. You can obtain a copy of a traffic collision report online. However, it may take up to 45 days after the accident for the police report to be available online. Furthermore, remember that traffic reports involving an arrest, fatality, or underage driver cannot be released online. Instead, you will need to mail a copy of the traffic collision report request form to:

Los Angeles Police Department
Records and Identification Division
Document Processing Unit
P.O. Box 30158
Los Angeles, CA 90030

How a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Whether you need to obtain a copy of a Los Angeles traffic accident report or you need to file a claim for compensation after suffering injuries in a collision in Los Angeles, a lawyer can offer a great deal of assistance. A lawyer can:

• Help you get a copy of the police report. In some cases, a lawyer can also help ensure you get a copy of the report sooner.
• Make sure your police report is accurate, and help you take care of any discrepancies in the report.
• Review your case with you to help you understand the compensation you may deserve following a traffic accident.
• Help you file a claim against the liable driver’s insurance company.

If you suffered injuries in a Los Angeles traffic accident, a lawyer could help you obtain compensation from the liable driver’s insurance company. Contact a traffic accident lawyer as soon after your accident as possible to learn more about your rights.