Car accidents can happen on any roadway throughout California, regardless of the size or location. The severity of these accidents vary widely, from minor fender-benders to major collisions with significant consequences.

Given the expansive network of highways and roads in one of the largest states in the country, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) plays a primary role in responding to these accidents. As the law enforcement agency responsible for California highways and state-owned roads, the CHP is often the first responder to such incidents.

Due to the high population density and extensive road infrastructure, the CHP deals with a significant volume of motor vehicle collisions, semi-truck accidents, left turn accidents, rideshare crashes, motorcycle wrecks, and even bicycle accidents, every day.

Their duties encompass assisting, coordinating emergency medical care, and filing California Highway Patrol accident reports for all incidents they respond to.

Following these steps diligently ensures a smoother process for obtaining a CHP police report, facilitating the compensation process for individuals involved in accidents in San Bernardino and beyond.

California Highway Patrol accident reports play a pivotal role in seeking compensation following car accidents in California. These reports contain crucial details and documentation essential for insurance claims and legal proceedings related to injuries or damages sustained in an accident. It is also used when creating a policy limits demand letter. Despite their significance, many accident victims are often unaware of how to obtain a copy of these reports.

Recognizing this challenge, at the Gold Firm, we have compiled the necessary information and resources to assist individuals in obtaining California Highway Patrol accident reports promptly.

By providing information on how to access California Highway Patrol accident reports, we aim to empower accident victims in navigating the complexities of seeking compensation and pursuing justice in the aftermath of a car accident.

How to Get a California Highway Patrol Accident Report Online

To obtain California Highway Patrol accident reports online, follow these step-by-step instructions.

1. Go to California Highway Patrol Website – Begin by visiting the California Highway Patrol website using your preferred web browser.
2. Navigate to the Traffic Section – Look for the menu across the top of the page. Click on the option labeled “Traffic” to proceed.
3. Find the Requesting a Collision Report Section – Within the Traffic section, locate the section labeled “Requesting a Collision Report.”
4. Click on the Crash Portal – Within the “Requesting a Collision Report” section, find the link or option labeled “Crash Portal.” Click on it to proceed.
5. Login or Create a New User Profile – You’ll be directed to a new page. Here, you’ll need to either log in if you already have an account or create a new user profile.
6. Follow the Prompts – Once logged in or after creating a new user profile, follow the prompts provided on the Crash Portal page. You will need to enter relevant information to generate your accident report.
7. Download and Print the Report – After entering the required information and completing the process, you’ll be able to download and print the accident report. Make sure to save it for your records or any further necessary actions.

Obtaining California Highway Patrol accident reports online should be a relatively straightforward process following the outlined steps. If your collision occured on local surface streets, you can learn more about filing a police report online in San Bernardino, and obtaining a copy of the San Bernardino CA accident report by contacting the local Sheriff’s department or accessing their online records portal.

However, if you experience any difficulties or have questions about the process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a California personal injury attorney at the Gold Firm. Our team is here to assist you and provide guidance throughout the process.

How to Get a California Highway Patrol Accident Report by Mail

To obtain a California Highway Patrol (CHP) accident report by mail, a proper Party of Interest can submit a request to the nearest CHP Area office using the CHP 190 form. Here are the instructions for completing the CHP 190:

• Crash/Incident Date – Provide the exact date if known; otherwise, provide an approximate date.
• Crash/Incident Location – Provide as much detail as possible about the location if the exact address is unknown.
• Driver or Owner – Specify the driver or owner of the vehicle involved in the accident. If only the property was damaged, provide your name and address.
• Party of Interest – Check only one box to indicate your status as a Party of Interest. If unsure, contact any CHP Area office for clarification.
• Applicant – Print your name in the designated box.
• Address – Provide your complete address, including number, street, city, state, and zip code.
• Agency/Company – Check this box if you represent a government entity or insurance company.
• Signature – Sign the form to authorize the request.

Once the CHP 190 form is completed, mail it to the nearest CHP Area office to request a copy of the crash report/investigation. Following these instructions to the letter will facilitate the process of obtaining the necessary California Highway Patrol accident report.

How to Get a California Highway Patrol Accident Report by Phone

To obtain a California Highway Patrol (CHP) crash report by phone, individuals can dial the nationwide toll-free telephone number, 1-800-TELL-CHP.

Originally established for reporting vehicle and cargo theft, this number has since been expanded to accommodate non-emergency purposes, including:

• Requests for accident reports
• Tow questions
• CHP office locations
• Vehicle theft tips
• Community outreach programs

By designating 1-800-TELL-CHP as the primary point of contact for accessing the CHP, the department aims to streamline communication with the public and reduce the use of the cellular 9-1-1 system for non-emergency calls.

CHP personnel are available to answer calls to 1-800-TELL-CHP 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring accessibility and assistance whenever needed.

Contacting this toll-free number provides a convenient and reliable means of obtaining essential information and services from the California Highway Patrol.

How to Get a California Highway Patrol Accident Report in Person

To obtain a California Highway Patrol (CHP) accident report in person, individuals must visit the CHP Area office where the crash report was filed.

Typically, the responding CHP officer who attended the scene of the accident will inform the involved parties about the location where the report will be filed. This allows individuals to access the necessary documentation efficiently and from the appropriate office.

By visiting the designated CHP Area office, individuals can request and obtain the accident report directly, ensuring accuracy and completeness in the documentation process. This in-person procedure helps streamline the process of acquiring vital information related to the accident from the California Highway Patrol.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a California Highway Patrol Accident Report?

The cost of obtaining a California Highway Patrol (CHP) accident report varies depending on the method of acquisition.

For mail-in and in-person requests, applicable fees apply, although the exact amount may differ based on the specific CHP office handling the request.

Individuals seeking to obtain the report through these channels should contact the respective CHP office to determine how much it will cost to obtain a copy of a California Highway Patrol police report.

For those opting to access the report through the Crash portal online, there is a separate fee charged by the portal for its services. This fee structure allows individuals to have multiple avenues for accessing accident reports from the California Highway Patrol, each with its associated costs.

Whether obtaining the report through mail, in person, or online, it’s always advisable to inquire about fees beforehand to facilitate a smooth and efficient process.

How Long Does It Take to Get the California Highway Patrol Accident Report?

Typically, a traffic incident report filed by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) takes approximately one to two weeks to be processed. However, the duration may vary depending on the complexity of the accident and the volume of reports being handled.

In instances where a motor vehicle collision involves a fatality or requires extensive investigation, it may take CHP investigators several months to complete the police report.

It’s important to note that requests made by mail will generally take longer to process due to the additional time required for postage and delivery. Therefore, individuals opting for mail-in requests should anticipate a longer wait time compared to those obtaining the report in person or online.

Despite potential delays, the CHP is required to process accident reports promptly to provide essential information to parties involved in the incident.

What Documentation Is Required to Get the California Highway Patrol Accident Report?

When seeking to obtain a California Highway Patrol accident report, adherence to California’s closed records request policy requires specific documentation.

To successfully request a copy of a crash report, individuals must provide:

• A valid photo identification
• Case number associated with the accident report

These primary requirements serve as crucial verification methods in compliance with California’s closed records regulations. Additionally, providing supplementary information pertaining to the crash can significantly help in identifying and pulling the report. It is highly recommended to include details such as:

• The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• The date of the accident
• Any other pertinent information related to the incident

By supplying this additional information, requestors enhance the efficiency and precision of the retrieval process, ensuring that they obtain the specific California Highway Patrol accident report they need.

This process also aligns with the strict documentation standards in place to safeguard the integrity and confidentiality of law enforcement records in California.

What Does the California Highway Patrol Accident Report Include?

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) police accident report, known as the CHP 555 Traffic Collision Report, provides details about various aspects of a car accident.

At the top of the first page, key information includes:

• The date
• Time
• Location of the crash
• Tow away information and photographs were taken at the scene.

Driver and vehicle information is extensively covered on page one, providing details such as:

• The type of parties involved
• Driver’s name, address, and phone number
• License plate number
• Vehicle specifications (year, make, model, and color)
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Insurance carrier
• Policy number
• Estimated damage to each vehicle

Moving to the top of page two, property damage is documented, including the property owner’s name and address. The second section of page two uses number and letter codes to record specifics, such as:

• Seating positions
• Safety equipment usage
• Airbag deployment
• Ejections
• Contributing factors, including weather, lighting, road conditions, traffic control devices…etc.
• Vehicle movements before the incident

A brief sketch of the crash is included in the bottom section of the report.

Page three delves into information about injured parties, witnesses, and passengers. It documents the extent of injuries and who was injured, categorizing injuries as fatal, severe, or other visible injuries. The remainder of page three details information on injured parties, including identifying information and the hospital they were taken to, as well as the responsible party for transportation.

On the fourth page, a factual diagram illustrates how the crash occurred, devoid of personal opinions. The investigating officer’s name and ID number are located at the bottom of this page. This thorough documentation in the CHP accident report aims to capture essential information for legal and insurance purposes, providing a comprehensive account of the incident.

Contact a San Bernadino Accident Lawyer About Your Police Report

If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a car crash recently, we encourage you to seek legal guidance immediately. When accidents occur, the aftermath can be overwhelming.

From the physical pain to the emotional toll and financial strain, the effects can linger for years.

Our experienced team of car accident lawyers near you is dedicated to assisting those who have suffered harm due to another driver’s negligence or misconduct. Their mission is to advocate for fairness and rightful compensation on behalf of all of our clients.

Don’t wait; contact The Gold Firm today to ensure your rights are safeguarded and to take the first step towards securing the justice you deserve, and compensation you are entitled to.