Obtaining a police record is one of the most important stages in bringing a lawsuit against the at-fault party if you have been in a vehicle accident in California. It’s not always as straightforward as you would imagine. Continue reading to learn more about the measures to take, or call Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to get help from an auto accident attorney in San Bernardino CA.
Determine which city you need to get a police report from
The police report must be obtained from the police station that issued it. This is generally a police station in a city. You should have received a card from the police officer if you were there when the police report was taken. You will receive the report from the station mentioned there. If you don’t know which station it is, you’ll have to phone around to other alternatives until you discover one that works for you.
Check to see whether it’s possible to request it online
Ideally, you should be able to obtain the police report over the internet. Many police stations, however, do not enable you to acquire a Traffic Collision Report over the internet. You’ll have to either go to the station in person or make a request through the mail. Remember that if you hired an auto accident attorney in San Bernardino CA, they will most likely handle this for you.
Make a call to confirm that the report is complete
Before you rush down to the police station or write them a letter, phone the station to be sure you’ve got the proper address and the report is ready. You may simply ask for the report by calling the station’s main line. They can take many weeks to finish in some situations. It might take months to investigate a death or major injury.
Obtaining the police report at the police station
When you arrive at the station, fill out a form and show your identification. If you were the one who caused the accident, you will be able to obtain the report without difficulty. If you aren’t, such as if your spouse was involved in the accident, you’ll need signed, written permission from them before the report can be released to you.
To obtain the report, you will have to pay a charge. This is usually less than $10.00 and may be paid with cash or check, however it varies each station.
Getting the report by mail
If you want to request it by mail, expect it to take seven to ten days if the report is ready, and longer if it is not. Check with the agency to see what they expect from a postal request. You likely need to copy your ID and send that copy with a signed letter detailing the accident, and a check are likely to be included.
The easiest option is generally to work with an auto accident attorney in San Bernardino CA who can help with your case. Call Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas now at 909-982-0707 to request a free consultation.
