Getting a Car Accident Report in San Diego (2026 Guide)
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Statutes of limitations and legal rights can vary based on specific facts and circumstances. You should not rely on this information without consulting a qualified attorney about your particular situation.
Step 1: Who Responded to Your Accident?
Before you file a request, you must know which agency took the report. In San Diego, jurisdiction is strictly divided:
- California Highway Patrol (CHP): If your accident happened on a freeway (I-5, I-805, SR-163, I-8, etc.) or in an unincorporated area of the county.
- San Diego Police Department (SDPD): If your accident happened on surface streets within the city limits (e.g., University Ave, Mira Mesa Blvd, Downtown).
- San Diego County Sheriff: If your accident happened in contracted cities like Santee, Poway, Imperial Beach, or Vista.
How to Request an SDPD Report
If the San Diego Police Department responded, you generally have three options. As of 2026, the fee is $12.00.
- Online (Fastest): SDPD partners with LexisNexis eCrash. You can search for your report using the Report Number (e.g., “26-123456”) or the date and location. Note that LexisNexis charges a small “convenience fee” on top of the $12.
- In-Person: Visit the SDPD Records Division at 1401 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101. Hours are typically Mon-Thu, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Expect long lines.
- By Mail: Send a request with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check payable to “City Treasurer” to:
SDPD Records MS#726 P.O. Box 121431 San Diego, CA 92112
Wait Time: SDPD typically takes 10 business days to process and upload a report.
How to Request a CHP Report
If the Highway Patrol responded, the process is different.
- Online Portal: You can use the CHP Online Crash Report System. You must create an account and verify your identity as a “Party of Interest” (driver, owner, or parent of a minor).
- By Mail (Form CHP 190): You must download and fill out the CHP 190 “Application for Release of Information.”
- Crucial Step: You must attach a photocopy of your Driver’s License. If you don’t, they will reject your request immediately.
- Send it to the specific CHP Area Office that handled your crash (e.g., the San Diego Area office on Pacific Highway).
Wait Time: CHP reports are detailed and often take 8 to 15 business days to become available.
Who Is Allowed to see the Report? (CVC § 20012)
Traffic reports are not public records in California. Under Vehicle Code § 20012, they can only be released to:
- Drivers involved in the crash.
- Registered owners of the vehicles.
- Parents/Guardians of a minor involved.
- Attorneys representing any of the above.
- Insurance companies.
What If the Report Is Wrong?
It is common for officers to make mistakes. They may mix up witness names, list the wrong insurance policy, or incorrectly state that you were “speeding” based on the other driver’s word.
You can request a “Supplemental Report.” You cannot force the police to change their opinion on fault, but you can force them to correct factual errors.
- Action: Write a formal letter to the Records Division of the agency involved. Provide evidence (e.g., “The report says I was driving a Ford, but my registration proves I was driving a Toyota”).
- Strategy: If the officer refuses to change their fault determination, Tan Ngo Law Firm can take witness depositions to prove the officer was wrong in court.
Why We Handle This For You
When you hire Tan Ngo Law Firm, obtaining the accident report is one of the first things we do—at no cost to you.
- We front the fees: You don’t have to write $12 checks to the City Treasurer.
- We decipher the codes: Police reports use complex numerical codes for “Primary Collision Factor” and “Road Conditions.” We translate these to prove the other driver was negligent.
- We find the missing pages: Often, the initial release is missing the “narrative” or witness statements. We know how to demand the full, unredacted file.
