How to get a car accident report in San Jose, California
The local steps are quoted from San Jose agency pages and the California rules from state law, each with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
The short answer
San Jose crash reports are sold online through LexisNexis BuyCrash, which lists the San Jose Police Department as its own jurisdiction.
Give it at least 45 days from the date of the crash before you look for the San Jose report online.
A copy of a San Jose crash report costs $16.00, paid by check or money order made out to the City of San Jose.
Online
The portal San Jose uses
San Jose crash reports are sold online through LexisNexis BuyCrash, which lists the San Jose Police Department as its own jurisdiction.
“Jurisdiction: San Jose Police Department”
What it costs
A copy of a San Jose crash report costs $16.00, paid by check or money order made out to the City of San Jose.
“return it with a $16.00 check or money order payable to the City of San Jose to:”
When it is ready
Give it at least 45 days from the date of the crash before you look for the San Jose report online.
“Please allow a minimum of 45 days from the date of the collision to inquire online.”
In person or by mail
The records office
You can pick up a San Jose crash report at the Report Counter in the police building at 201 West Mission Street, open 8 am to 3 pm Monday through Thursday, or mail the request instead.
“8 am to 3 pm, Monday to Thursday”
If no officer came to your crash
Filing it yourself
When no officer comes out, San Jose lets you file the report yourself online, and that report is meant for your records and your insurer rather than for an investigation.
“Online reports are primarily intended for documentation and insurance purposes.”
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 San Jose Area works crashes on the freeways and state highways through San Jose, and you request its report online or with a CHP 190 form at the Area office.
“our office patrols U.S. Route 101, Interstate 280, Interstate 680, Interstate 880, State Route 17, State Route 85, State Route 87, State Route 130, and State Route 237.”
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.
- LexisNexis BuyCrash, Search for A Report
- San Jose Police Department, Vehicle Accident Reports
- San Jose Police Department, Operations Support Services Division
- San Jose Police Department, Report Crimes / Incidents Online
- California Highway Patrol, (340) San Jose
- San Jose Police Department, Communications - Dispatch
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.