What to do after a car accident in Los Angeles, California
The local steps are quoted from Los Angeles agency pages and the California rules from state law, each with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
The Los Angeles Police Department responds to crashes on city streets in Los Angeles, and its non emergency line is 1-877-ASK-LAPD, or 1-877-275-5273.
If nobody is hurt and every driver has a license, the LAPD writes no report and the drivers just exchange information at the scene.
LAPD crash reports are ordered online through a LexisNexis police reports portal that the department links from its own request page.
Who comes to a crash in Los Angeles
The agency that responds
The Los Angeles Police Department responds to crashes on city streets in Los Angeles, and its non emergency line is 1-877-ASK-LAPD, or 1-877-275-5273.
“If there are not injuries, but a hit and run occurred, or any driver is unlicensed, call 1-877-ASK-LAPD or (1-877-275-5273) to report the accident.”
When officers actually come out
If nobody is hurt and every driver has a license, the LAPD writes no report and the drivers just exchange information at the scene.
“No report will be completed by the LAPD for this type of collision.”
If no officer comes
When no officer comes out, you can file your own LAPD report through the Community Online Reporting Service, which takes minor traffic collisions and hit and run.
“Minor Traffic Collisions: Minor injuries and you have exchanged information”
On the interstates and state highways
The California Highway Patrol handles crashes on the freeways and state highways in Los Angeles, and you request its report online or with a CHP 190 form at a CHP Area office.
“A proper Party of Interest may also submit a request for a copy of a CHP crash report/investigation in person or via mail to the nearest CHP Area office”
What California law requires you to report
A driver must make a written report of a crash to the CHP or local police within 24 hours, unless it involves a common carrier vehicle, which follows a monthly reporting schedule instead.
“within 24 hours after the accident make or cause to be made a written report of the accident”
Getting your Los Angeles crash report
Where to get it
LAPD crash reports are ordered online through a LexisNexis police reports portal that the department links from its own request page.
“If you would like to obtain your Traffic Collision Report online, please click on the link below:”
How long it takes
Allow at least 45 days after the crash before the LAPD report has been reviewed, approved and released.
“please allow a minimum of 45 days from the date of the collision to allow the report to be reviewed and approved for release.”
What it costs
A copy of an LAPD crash report costs $19.00 by mail, paid by check or money order made out to the LAPD.
“return it with a $19.00 check or money order payable to the LAPD (do not send cash) to:”
If your car was towed
Where it goes and how to get it back
A car towed after a crash in Los Angeles goes to one of the city's Official Police Garages. Paying by card it is $220.00 for the first hour of towing, $68.00 a day of storage and a $115.00 city release fee, and the charges must be paid before you get the car back.
“The towing and storage charges must be paid before the release of a vehicle.”
Storage is charged by the day in most cities, so the bill grows while a claim is still open. Tell your insurer where the car is as soon as you know.
California deadlines that apply in Los Angeles
- 2 years
- to sue for injuriesCal. Code Civ. Proc. 335.1
- 3 years
- to sue for car or property damageCal. Code Civ. Proc. 338(c)
- 2 years
- for a family to sue after a deathCal. Code Civ. Proc. 335.1
- 6 months
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedCal. Gov. Code 911.2
All California rules: fault, insurance minimums and the full deadline list
The California rules behind your claim
Who pays for the damage
California is an at-fault state. Drivers must carry liability insurance that pays for injuries and damage they cause to others.
“not less than thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident”
If you were partly at fault
California uses pure comparative negligence. You can still recover money even if you were mostly at fault for the crash; your payout is just reduced by your own percentage of fault, no matter how high it is.
“the doctrine of comparative negligence should be applied in this state in its so-called 'pure' form under which the assessment of liability in proportion to fault proceeds in spite of the fact that the plaintiff is equally at fault as or more at fault than the defendant”
What insurance every driver must carry
As of January 1, 2025, California's minimum liability limits are $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for injury, and $15,000 for property damage.
“not less than thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident" ... "not less than sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons" ... "not less than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) because of injury to or destruction of property”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- Los Angeles Police Department, Traffic Collision Questions
- Los Angeles Police Department, File A Police Report
- Los Angeles Police Department, Request a Traffic Report
- Los Angeles Police Department, Records and Identification Division
- Official Police Garage Association of Los Angeles, Towing and Storage Rates
- Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Small Claims
- California Highway Patrol, Request a Crash Report
The state law behind these steps
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.