Help with Car Accident Reports
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Car Accident Reports in California
Car accident reports are particularly important in personal injury cases and insurance claims. They help establish liability, clarify the circumstances of the collision, and document the damages caused by the accident.
Additionally, California law may require car accident reports if the collision involved injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage.
Understanding the California laws regarding your obligations, such as reporting the crash, can help you make sure you meet all legal requirements.
CA Laws Regarding the Reporting of Car Accidents
The state of California has four primary laws in place regarding the reporting of car accidents:
CVC § 20008: This is the main reporting requirement law. If an accident results in injury or death, the driver must report it and file a written report to the CHP or local police within 24 hours. If a police officer responds to the accident, they will file the report.
CVC § 20010: If the driver is unable to make a report, the responsibility falls on any passengers who are in the vehicle at the time.
CVC § 16000: Any accident that results in injury, death, or damage to property over $1,000 must be reported to the DMV within 10 days.
CVC § 16002: If the driver was in a company vehicle when the accident occurred, the relevant employee must report it within five days.
How Can a Car Accident Report Help?
- Help prove who was at fault
- Show critical information about the crash, including details about the accident
- Help support legal action
- Facilitate a smooth process with insurance companies
- Reveals grounds for financial compensation
- CHP accident report properly filed can help your case
- Car accident on the freeway has more personal injury damages
- CHP accident report can detail witness testimonies
- CHP incident reports by date establishes timeline
- Crash report on freeway to show fault, eliminate liability
Note: If your injuries are likely to cause detrimental effects in the future that result in physical pain and suffering, you should be compensated for this future damage as well as any harm you have already endured.
How is Pain and Suffering Calculated?
Did You Have a Car Accident in California?
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is responsible for keeping California’s highway system safe and for dealing with any accidents that occur on one of those highways. If you had a vehicle accident on a California highway (like I-5 or SR-74) you will need to speak with the CHP to get a copy of your accident report.
It is one of the essential documents that your insurance provider will require following a car accident.
Getting a California Highway Patrol Accident Report
CHP reports are not available online, but you can start the process by downloading and submitting the CHP 190 form in person or by mail.
Only authorized individuals (like the victim or their legal representative) can request a report, and fees depend on the number of pages.
Reports can be obtained from any CHP office statewide.
A car accident lawyer can help you request the report and use it to support insurance claims or legal action.
Whenever a car accident happens on a highway in California as opposed to a residential street, it is the California Highway Patrol’s responsibility to send a comprehensive accident report, filled out by the officer at the scene of the accident, to the state.
The car accident report is often a tool that car accident attorneys use to prove the defendant was guilty of an accident so monetary compensation can be reached by the plaintiff. For this reason, it is important for you to file a car accident report after a car accident in California, even if you were driving without insurance.
Whether you experience serious injuries or not, it is always helpful to have a car accident report in the event of future damages arising from the car accident.
The report can help prevent an insurance company from trying to put the blame you. Having the information contained in a well prepared traffic accident report allows you to feel confident that you will not be blamed for the mishap.
How to Request a Crash Report from CHP
A proper Party of Interest (i.e., Drivers, Bicyclists, Pedestrians, Passengers, Parents of Minors, Legal Guardians, Vehicle or Property Owners, Legal representatives, or Insurance Companies with a valid claim or policy number) may request a copy of a CHP crash report/investigation, without having to go to the CHP Area office.
Collision Report CHP 190
Do you need a Collision Report from the CHP? You can complete the CHP 190 to release the information the CHP has collected about a particular incident.
The following instructions will help you complete the CHP 190:
- Crash/Incident Date: If you do not know the exact date, provide an approximate date.
- Crash/Incident Location: If you do not know the exact location, list as much information as possible.
- Driver or Owner: List the driver or owner of the vehicle. If only your property was damaged, please list your name and address.
- Party of Interest: PLEASE CHECK ONLY ONE BOX. If you are not sure you are entitled to a copy of the report/investigation, please contact any CHP Area office to verify whether you are a proper Party of Interest.
- Applicant: Print your name in this box.
- Number and Street, City, State, and Zip Code
Agency/Company: Applies to government entities or insurance companies. - Signature
- Submit applicable fees
Note: The CHP charges a fee to cover reproduction costs. To determine the cost of your report, please contact the CHP office where the report was filed.
Submit Your Completed CHP 190 Form
Print and complete form CHP 190 and submit in person or mail to your nearest Area CHP Office. Photocopy your driver license or picture identification card and attach it to your request for a collision report. If you do not have either of these forms of identification, then, the CHP 190 form must be certified by a notary.
Once the CHP has your request and verified you are a proper party of interest, a copy of the report will be mailed to your address upon receipt of payment.
Find the Area CHP Office Address:
Our Practice Areas
Personal injury and accident cases cover a wide range of situations, and no two are exactly alike. Here are some of the most common types of cases we handle:
- Car Accidents: From fender benders to major collisions, we’ll help you navigate insurance claims and fight for fair compensation.
- Truck Accidents: Accidents involving commercial trucks can cause devastating injuries. Our team understands the complexities of these cases and will hold responsible parties accountable.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists face unique risks on the road. We’re here to protect your rights if you’ve been hurt in a crash.
- Rideshare Accidents: Whether you’re a passenger or another driver, dealing with rideshare companies can be challenging. Let us handle it for you.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Property owners must keep their premises safe. If negligence caused your fall, we’ll help you seek justice.
- Dog Bite Accidents: If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog we can help you seek compensation and justice for your pain and suffering.
- Workers’ Compensation: If you were injured on the job, we can help you secure the benefits you’re entitled to.
These are just a few examples. No matter how your injury occurred, we’re ready to listen and help.
“Our experienced injury lawyers and dedicated team will fight for your legal rights. We fight with you to recover all sources of compensation and get you everything you deserve.”
– Frank Fasel, Founding Partner
Reasons to Hire Us
Choosing the right attorney is a big decision, and we’re confident that Chris and Frank Accident Attorneys is your best choice. Here’s why:
- Proven Results: We know how to win with a 99% success rate and over $100 million recovered for our clients.
- Top-Rated Team: Our 5-star Google reviews speak for themselves. Clients consistently praise our dedication, expertise, and results.
- VIP Concierge Services: We go above and beyond for our clients. Need a rental car? Help with medical treatment? Cash advances to cover lost income? We’ve got you covered.
- No Fees Until We Win: You shouldn’t have to worry about legal fees in addition to everything else. That’s why we only get paid if you win.
- Bilingual Services: Se habla español. Our Spanish-speaking team is here to help.
- Convenient Locations: With offices throughout America, we’re always nearby when you need us.
- Personalized Attention: At Chris and Frank, we treat every client like family. We understand that no two cases are the same, so we take the time to understand your unique situation and craft a tailored strategy.
Hiring an attorney can feel overwhelming, especially if this is your first time dealing with a legal issue. But at Chris and Frank, we make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
From the moment you call us for a free consultation to the day you receive your settlement check, we’re with you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is critical to have all injuries checked by medical professionals immediately after an accident. Whether by ambulance, emergency room, urgent care facility or family doctor it is important to have all injuries examined immediately after an accident. We can help you find medical treatment near you.
It is important to remember that some state laws impose a time limit on your accident case. Accident victims must use the appropriate timetable to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, vocational rehabilitation, physical pain, and emotional suffering. This is called the “statute of limitations.” This limit can be as brief as 180 days, or as long as 2 years. So don’t wait to talk to our attorneys.
Our free personal injury and accident settlement calculator offers potential estimated amounts you might offer to settle a personal injury, or pain and suffering like related to a car accident. If you have been injured, you may be eligible to file a legal claim to recover medical costs and lost wages. See our Free Accident Settlement Calculator
Not every accident requires an attorney to navigate the process to getting to a cash settlement quickly. But anyone who has been injured in an accident would be wise to speak with an experienced accident attorney. Call us for a Free Consultation. We have helped thousands of people like you improve their case as a direct result of our Free Consultation.
Contingency fees are used most often in accidents and personal injury lawsuits or worker’s compensation cases where money is being claimed. According to the American Bar Association, a client pays contingency fees to an accident attorney only if the attorney handles the case successfully. With Chris and Frank: No Fees Until We Win Your Case.
We know how to win cases. Our success rate is better than 99%. We have the best 5-Star Google reviews. While our compassionate team of experts focuses on getting the best settlement for you, you can focus on recovery and getting better.
We are Ready to Help You with Your Accident Case Now! Call Chris and Frank For a Free Consultation with an Attorney! Se Habla Español