How to get a car accident report 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.
The short answer
San Diego police crash reports are ordered online through LexisNexis BuyCrash, which the department calls LexisNexis eCrash.
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.
A San Diego police crash report costs $12, paid by check or money order made out to the City Treasurer.
Online
The portal San Diego uses
San Diego police crash reports are ordered online through LexisNexis BuyCrash, which the department calls LexisNexis eCrash.
“Submit an online request through LexisNexis eCrash.”
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.”
When it is ready
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.”
In person or by mail
The records office
You can pick up a San Diego police report at the SDPD Records Division counter downtown, open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., or send the request by mail instead.
“Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.”
If no officer came to your crash
Filing it yourself
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”
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, 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”
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.