Retrieving a copy of the police report following a car collision is pivotal to understanding your accident and any potential issues with your insurance claim. Typically available within 1-2 weeks, the police report holds crucial information we’ll explore in this guide.
Once you have the report in hand, you might turn your focus to the process of seeking damages from the responsible party’s insurance. Unfortunately, the insurance company likely has a number of tactics to avoid paying your claim or undervalue it, and many people experience difficulties accessing the damages they deserve.
In these difficult situations, an experienced car accident attorney can help you fight for your right to compensation.
At Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law, our team of legal experts is ready to assist you in pursuing rightful compensation for your injuries and property damage. If you or someone you care about is recuperating from a car accident, please reach out to us for a complimentary consultation.
We’ll assess your case, address your concerns, and explore potential avenues to secure the damages you deserve.
Request Your Kerman Police Department Car Accident Report in Person
The Kerman Police Department accepts requests for traffic collision reports during business hours, 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. These must be turned in to the Records Office at:
Kerman City Hall
850 S Madera Avenue
Kerman, CA 93630
You can save time by downloading a copy of the form here and filling it out before you head to the police station. The Kerman PD also encourages you to make an appointment by calling (559) 846-6634.
Once your request has been filed, it will be processed in the order received, so the waiting time can vary depending on how busy the department is. In most cases, it should take 7-10 business days to receive your report.
What Do You Need to Bring to Place Your Report Request?
When you submit your request, you’ll be asked for a photo ID and charged a $15 fee for the report. If you want copies of photos from the report, these are available on a CD for an additional $210.
Does That Mean You Don’t Need to Take Photos at the Collision Scene?
No, you should always take your own photos after a car accident. The responding officers may take photos for their report, but they are often busy and have limited time to spend on each accident.
By taking your own photos, you can ensure a wide variety of shots, and you will have your own pictures in case the police photos are lost, damaged, or don’t cover everything.
We recommend photographing your vehicle from all angles and taking care to get close-up shots of any damage. You should also capture the other vehicles involved and their damage. Additionally, please take pictures of the area where the collision occurred, especially the road—tire marks can be very helpful in understanding how a car crash happened.
Who Can Request a Kerman Police Department Car Accident Report?
Under the California Public Records Act, police reports can be released to those who have a “right to know” or “need to know.” In the case of traffic collision reports, the following people can usually access a report:
- A driver in the collision
- Another involved party, such as a passenger or a pedestrian
- Anyone who was injured or suffered property damage in the car accident
- A witness or the reporting party
- A parent or legal guardian of a minor involved in the accident
- Anyone mentioned in the report
- A representative (like an attorney) for one of the above parties
Does the Police Report Say Who Is at Fault?
The police report will note any driver errors, like speeding or distracted driving, that contributed to the crash. When the insurance company reviews your claim, they will scour the police report for any sign that you were at fault.
However, an accident is not necessarily 100 percent the fault of any one party. California law allows for shared fault in personal injury situations like a car accident, and it’s possible that both you and the other driver made errors that contributed to the collision.
Even if you have some responsibility, you can collect damages under the state’s pure comparative negligence statutes, but you’ll lose your own percentage of fault. So, if you are 10 percent at fault, you could lose 10 percent of your recovery.
Sometimes, an insurance adjuster may overestimate your portion of responsibility, causing you to lose much more of your settlement than you should. It’s also difficult to calculate exactly how much fault you have based solely on your own perspective, so many people simply accept the insurance company’s decision.
We advise you to discuss your police report with a Fresno car accident attorney who can accurately calculate how much fault each party has and fight for a fair settlement.
Where Can You Get Help From a Kerman Car Accident Lawyer?
At Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys At Law, our seasoned legal team is readily available to offer a complimentary review of your car accident case. We’re here to address any queries you may have regarding your police report, assist you in accurately assessing the value of your claim, and vigorously advocate for the optimal settlement.
There is no obligation, but if you want to move forward with our support, we won’t charge any fees until we win or settle your case. We’ll also take charge of negotiations so you never have to deal with the stress of arguing with an insurance adjuster.
Deepak Ahluwalia, the founder and managing partner of Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law, recently earned recognition as one of the American Bar Association’s Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers. His accomplishments have garnered attention from various national media outlets, including NPR, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, BBC, and CNN.
His goal has always been to provide high-quality legal representation to those who need it most, and he continues to fight for his clients. Work with him today when you call (559) 878-4958.
