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When you’re hurt in a car accident, you should always call 911 and report the accident to law enforcement. They will arrive on scene to render aid and create a collision report. It’s important to understand how to read the police report, and how it may be utilized in your car accident claim.
In this article, our car accident lawyers give an overview of what you will find in a police report and how it is used when seeking compensation for your injuries and losses.
Reading a California Car Accident Report: An Overview
A collision report follows a standard format known as the CHP 555 – Traffic Collision Report from the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Knowing what each part covers makes it easier to understand your own accident.
The CHP 555 Traffic Collision Report is organized into 4 sections:
Page One: Basic Information on the Crash
The first page states basic information, such as the date of the crash, the location where the accident occurred, the parties involved, their contact information, and the vehicles involved. Here’s a further breakdown of the fields:
- Number Injured/Number Killed: States the number of people hurt or killed in the crash.
- Hit and Run Felony/Misdemeanor: One of these two boxes will be checked if a driver fled from the scene; a hit and run may be a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances of the crash.
- Tow Away: States whether a vehicle was towed from the scene of the crash.
- Location: Location information details exactly where the crash occurred geographically, either by the roads and streets where the crash happened or GPS coordinates may be given.
- MO: The month and the time are entered, typically in military time for when the crash occurred.
- Photographs By: Indicates whether photographs were taken at the scene.
- Party 1, Party 2, and Party 3: Each group or vehicle operator involved in the crash is designated as a party.
Every party’s license number or identification is recorded, along with their driver’s license class. The field also includes their contact information, insurance information, and vehicle description. Damage to each party’s vehicle is shaded in a diagram on the right-hand side of the form. If the vehicle owner is not the same as the driver, this is noted.
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Call Us NowPage Two: Property Damage and Environmental Conditions
The second page documents factors that may have contributed to the crash, as well as property damage and the seating position of each person.
Then, the page lists a variety of factors that may be relevant, including whether airbags were deployed, what weather and roadway conditions were like, whether traffic control devices were operational, cell phone use, and whether alcohol was involved.
Fields on page two include:
- Property Damage: If property was damaged, a description is entered, and the owner is identified; “notified” is an indicator of whether the owner of the property has been notified of the damage.
- Safety Equipment: States whether seat belts, child restraints, and helmets were used.
- Airbag: The officer will indicate if the airbags deployed.
- Inattention Codes: This field refers to any distractions that may have contributed to the crash, which may include cellphones as well as the radio, eating, children, reading, or tending to personal hygiene. This information may be repeated in the Special Information section.
- Weather: Indicates weather conditions at the time of the crash.
- Sobriety – Drug Physical: Designates whether a driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or otherwise impaired.
Keep in mind that page two asks the investigating officer to summarize their observations by checking boxes. These boxes do not allow for a narrative, and they do not allow the officer to explain in detail. You may need to investigate the accident further to better understand the situation.
Page Three: Victims, Witnesses, and Passengers
On page three, the officer will list injury victims, witnesses, and passengers. The extent of injury is noted and whether the person was transported for emergency medical treatment at the closest appropriate hospital. The information is repeated for each person. A person may be listed in this section as a witness even if they do not have injuries.
If you’re the victim of an accident, you are likely to be listed in this section of the accident report. Remember that the information may be incorrect or incomplete, since the officer is only reporting their observations at the time the report is made.
Page Four: Diagram of the Accident Scene
Finally, page four is devoted to creating a diagram of how the investigating officer believes the accident occurred. In some instances, it may be easier to explain the accident with a diagram than by writing a narrative. The officer should not give their opinion of who is at fault. Rather, they should limit the drawing to the facts as they found them, including the respective positions of vehicles and the roadway.
At the bottom of the page, the officer writes their name, ID number, and the date the report was generated.
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Schedule a Free ConsultationQuestions About California Car Accident Reports
Beyond knowing how to read the report, there are a few practical details every driver should understand about accessing and using it.
How Do You Get a Copy of the Accident Report?
Depending on the law enforcement agency that responded to the accident, getting a copy of the police report can vary. For any accident investigated by CHP, you may get a copy of the accident report in person at your local CHP office or by mail. You will need to complete the CHP 190 – Collision Request Form and submit it along with a photocopy of your ID and the application fee.
Are Car Accident Reports Public Information in California?
No. Generally, car accident reports are not public information in California. Under VEH § 20012, accident reports are confidential. They are available only to interested parties. An interested party isn’t limited to the drivers involved in the accident. You may be a passenger, family member, insurance company representative, or legal representative.
Is a California Accident Report Admissible in Court?
No. Accident reports are generally considered hearsay, so they are typically not admissible as evidence in court. However, in limited circumstances, a report may be used to impeach a witness.
How Do You Use a California Car Accident Report?
When it comes to using your California car accident report, it’s important to remember that the report is the observations and opinions of the investigating officer. It does not determine who is at fault for the accident. The officer may have an opinion, but only the judge or jury in a court hearing can decide fault.
The report should be seen as a starting point for an investigation into your case. The report may not be complete. It may be incorrect. It doesn’t conclusively determine fault or comparative fault. It can be a tool to gather admissible evidence and build your case.
How Do You Correct a Mistake on the Accident Report?
Contact the agency that filed the report and explain the error. Some agencies allow corrections through a supplemental report or a formal written request, while others require the officer who prepared the original report to make the change.
Want Help Understanding Your Car Accident Report?
If you have been in a car accident, Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers can help you get a copy of the police report, evaluate its contents, and investigate every dimension of your case.
Contact us for more information.
