How to Get Your Car Accident Report in Orange, CA

By the Sky Law Group Editorial Team · Reviewed by Shakeal Masoud, Esq. (California State Bar No. 246309) · Reviewed November 3, 2026

Short answer: After a crash in Orange, you can usually get the collision report from the agency that responded: the Orange Police Department on city streets, the California Highway Patrol on freeways such as the 57, 55, 22 and 5, or the Orange County Sheriff in unincorporated areas. California law limits who can obtain the report to people with a proper interest, including drivers, injured people, insurers and attorneys (Cal. Vehicle Code §20012). Questions? Call Sky Law Group at (844) 475-9529 — Hablamos Español.

1. Find out which agency wrote your report

The report belongs to whoever responded. Look at the card or slip the officer gave you; it should show the agency name and a report number. If you did not get one, call the non-emergency line of the agency you believe responded and give the date, time and location. Crashes on Chapman Avenue, Katella Avenue or Tustin Street inside city limits are usually handled by city police, while crashes on a freeway are usually handled by the CHP. Each agency has its own request form, fee and wait time, so check that agency’s own website or call before you go.

2. Who can get a copy

Under Vehicle Code §20012, collision reports are not open to the general public. Drivers, passengers, injured people, owners of damaged property, their insurers and their attorneys can generally request one. Expect to give the report number, date, location and your name.

3. What the report does and does not do

The report is useful evidence: it lists the drivers, insurance information, witnesses, road conditions and the officer’s diagram. It is not the final word on fault. Insurance companies make their own decisions, and an officer’s opinion about who caused a crash may not be allowed as evidence in court. If the report has a mistake, such as a wrong plate number or a missing witness, ask the agency how to request a correction and keep your own photos and notes.

4. Do not wait on the paperwork

Separate from the police report, California drivers must report a crash to the DMV within 10 days if anyone was hurt or killed, or if property damage was more than $1,000 (Vehicle Code §16000). Deadlines for an injury claim are also short: two years for most claims (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1), and as little as six months for a claim against a city or other public entity (Government Code §911.2). If you are hurt, see a doctor first; UCI Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital are both in Orange.

5. Common questions

Do I need the report to file an injury claim?

It helps but is not always required. Insurers can open a claim from your own account of the crash, and your photos, medical records and witness details also matter.

What if the other driver left the scene?

Report it right away and call us. Your own uninsured motorist coverage (Insurance Code §11580.2) may apply.

Can the report be changed if it is wrong?

The officer’s observations usually stay, but factual errors such as a plate number or insurance detail can often be corrected through the agency. Ask the records unit how.

What if I was hit while walking or riding a bike?

The same agencies write those reports and the same rules apply. Ask for the report number at the scene if you can.

Can you help in Spanish?

Yes. Our attorneys speak Spanish themselves. Hablamos Español.

What does it cost to talk to a lawyer?

The consultation is free and we work on contingency, so there is no fee unless we recover for you.

Free tool: text CHECKLIST to (844) 475-9529 for our bilingual 48-hour after-crash checklist. Also read our guide to car accident lawyers in Orange County, the California statute of limitations, and whether you must give a recorded statement.

Attorney advertising. This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.