What to do after a car accident in San Diego, California
The local steps are quoted from San Diego agency pages and the California rules from state law, each with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
The San Diego Police Department covers crashes on city streets in San Diego, and its non emergency line is 619-531-2000.
San Diego police come out only when someone is hurt or a driver fled the scene. For a damage only crash you exchange information with the other driver yourself and tell your insurance company.
San Diego police crash reports are ordered online through LexisNexis BuyCrash, which the department calls LexisNexis eCrash.
Who comes to a crash in San Diego
The agency that responds
The San Diego Police Department covers crashes on city streets in San Diego, and its non emergency line is 619-531-2000.
“Call the SDPD Non-Emergency Line at 619-531-2000”
When officers actually come out
San Diego police come out only when someone is hurt or a driver fled the scene. For a damage only crash you exchange information with the other driver yourself and tell your insurance company.
“SDPD responds only to injury accidents and hit-and-run collisions where there are injuries or potential suspect or lead information on who may have committed it.”
If no officer comes
When no officer comes out you can file your own SDPD report online for a hit and run with no injuries, or go to the nearest police station and have a report taken there.
“The San Diego Police Department offers online reporting for Hit and Run collisions where there are no injuries, no suspect information, and no leads”
On the interstates and state highways
The California Highway Patrol, not San Diego police, works crashes on the freeways, and you report a freeway crash to the CHP on 800-835-5247.
“Accidents, road rage, road hazards or other issues occurring on a California freeway can be reported to California Highway Patrol”
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 San Diego crash report
Where to get it
San Diego police crash reports are ordered online through LexisNexis BuyCrash, which the department calls LexisNexis eCrash.
“Submit an online request through LexisNexis eCrash.”
How long it takes
Wait three to 10 business days after the crash before you ask for the report, so it can be submitted, processed and approved for release.
“please allow three to 10 business days from the date of the accident so the report can be submitted, processed and approved for release.”
What it costs
A San Diego police crash report costs $12, paid by check or money order made out to the City Treasurer.
“There is a $12 processing fee per report.”
If your car was towed
Where it goes and how to get it back
A car towed by San Diego police goes to a city contracted impound yard, and AutoReturn is who you search or call to find it. The city's own rate schedule puts a standard tow at $196, storage at $45 a day, and adds a $63 city cost recovery fee.
“The City establishes the rates for all services charged by Tow Providers for City-initiated towing and storage.”
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 San Diego
- 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.
- San Diego Police Department, File a Police Report
- San Diego Police Department, Traffic Accidents, Reports, Tickets and Concerns
- San Diego Police Department, Get a Police Report
- City of San Diego, SDPD Managed Towing Operations Manual, Appendix 3 Rates and Fees
- Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, Small Claims
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.