LAPD Traffic Collision Report – How do I get a copy?

You were in a car accident in the City of Los Angeles and the insurance company is now requesting a copy of the traffic collision report (TCR). How do you get one? Further, what does it show?

You can get a traffic collision report from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) by either requesting one online or through the United States Mail.

Online request for LAPD crash report

• To make a request online in English, click here.
• To make a request online in Spanish – Español, click here.

U.S. Mail request for LAPD crash report

1. Download and complete a Traffic Collision Report Request,
2. Obtain a $11.00 check or money order (no cash) made payable to the LAPD (if you want a traffic collision photo, include an additional check or money order for $5.00), and
3. Send your completed report request and payment to:

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

For questions, please contact 1-800-ASK-LAPD (1-877-275-5273) or go to lapdonline.org. TCRs involving an arrest, a juvenile under 18, or a fatality are generally available only through the mail, not online.

Note that a traffic collision report is a document that summarizes all of the details regarding a car accident. The police officer who responds to the incident usually writes the document.

1. Who can request a California traffic accident report?

Per California Vehicle Code 20012, the following people can request an LAPD report:

• a driver involved in the accident,
• a guardian of a driver involved in the accident,
• the parent of a minor driver,
• the authorized representative or conservator of a driver,
• any person injured in the accident (such as a pedestrian, passenger, etc.),
• any person who suffered property damage because of the accident,
• any person that may be found liable for the accident (such as due to a breach of warranty), and
• an attorney for any of the people named above.¹

2. How long does it take to get?

You have to wait 45 days from the collision date before requesting a traffic collision report. This is so that LAPD can review and approve the report for release.²

Per the LAPD’s website, once you make a request, there is currently a minimum of two months for LAPD to process the report request.³

If you want to receive an update on when your request might get processed, you can call (213) 486-8100.

3. Are there accident reports that you cannot get online?

While you can obtain most collision reports online, there are certain types of reports that you can only receive via a request through the U.S. Mail. These reports include:

1. traffic collision reports that involve an arrest, fatality, or juvenile, and
2. traffic collision reports issued prior to February 1, 2016.

4. What information is in an accident report?

A police officer usually responds to the scene of a car accident shortly after the accident occurs. An accident report is the officer’s summary of their investigation of the accident scene.

The report usually includes the following information:

• the date and time of the accident,
• the accident’s location,
• the identity of the involved parties,
• the parties’ insurance information,
• whether a business owned/operated any of the involved vehicles,
• identifying information for everyone involved in the accident (this usually includes names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license information, and possibly license plate numbers),
• the names and contact information of any witnesses,
• a summary of any damage involved in the accident,
• a summary of the conditions that existed at the time of the accident (for example, traffic, weather, and roadway conditions),
• whether or not the accident involved a traffic violation (such as DUI or distracted driving by cell phone use),
• the officer’s opinion of what took place based on the parties’ statements, eyewitness statements, and physical evidence, and
• a diagram of the accident (this might not always be provided).

5. How do I get a CHP accident report?

The quickest way to obtain a California Highway Patrol accident report is through the CHP’s online portal.

Otherwise, fill out the CHP 190 – Collision Request Form and attach a photocopy of your state driver’s license or identification card. Then bring it to a local CHP office or mail it to 601 North 7th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811. It is recommended you call CHP at 1-800-835-5247 to see if they require a fee.

6. Can a car accident lawyer help?

Yes. If you were involved in a traffic collision, you should consult with an accident attorney or personal injury lawyer for help.

An attorney or law firm often assists by:

• getting a copy of the report on your behalf,
• gathering your insurance information and submitting the report to the applicable insurance company,
• filing an injury claim with the applicable insurer,
• negotiating that claim on your behalf,
• gathering evidence of who caused the accident, and
• if necessary, filing a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.

In our experience as auto accident attorneys, injured drivers recover larger payouts from insurance companies when represented by a California auto accident lawyer.

Additional Reading

For more information, see our related articles by our California personal injury attorneys:

• Reportable collision: When must I report it to the DMV? – When in doubt, contact the authorities after a traffic incident.
• California car accident laws: 15 steps to take after a crash – Guide of your obligations following an automobile collision.
• Can my license be suspended for an accident? – Information on when a car crash in California triggers a license suspension.
• How to file a car insurance claim in California – Step-by-step guide.
• Auto accident settlement timeline in California – Overview of the negotiation process following a motor vehicle crash.