How to get a car accident report 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.
The short answer
LAPD crash reports are ordered online through a LexisNexis police reports portal that the department links from its own request page.
Allow at least 45 days after the crash before the LAPD report has been reviewed, approved and released.
A copy of an LAPD crash report costs $19.00 by mail, paid by check or money order made out to the LAPD.
Online
The portal Los Angeles uses
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:”
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:”
When it is ready
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.”
In person or by mail
The records office
There is no walk in counter for LAPD crash reports, so the request has to be mailed to the Records and Identification Division.
“The R&I Division is not authorized to release Arrest Reports to Suspect nor does it provide Crime or Traffic Reports at the Public Counter.”
If no officer came to your crash
Filing it yourself
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”
What California requires you to file
A driver must file a written accident report with the DMV within 10 days if the crash caused more than $1,000 in property damage, or any injury or death, using a DMV approved form (commonly called the SR-1).
“damage to the property of any one person in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or in bodily injury, or in the death of any person shall report the accident, within 10 days after the accident”
If the crash was on a highway
A different agency has that report
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”
Requesting a California state police report
California Highway Patrol collision reports are requested by creating an account and logging in to the CHP's Online Crash Report System.
“Log in to the Online Crash Report System”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
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.