The crumpled bumper and misaligned wheel of a white car damaged in an accident.A car accident police report is crucial to your insurance claim following a collision. When an officer responds to the scene of your accident, they will prepare a report, usually within 1-2 weeks.

We’ll walk you through the steps of securing a copy of the report and understanding the vital information it contains.

After receiving the report, many people attempt to recover their damages from the at-fault party’s insurance company. Often, they encounter obstacles during this process, such as claim rejections or undervalued damages.

At Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law, our legal specialists are prepared to help you seek compensation for your injuries and property damage. If you or a loved one are recovering from a car accident, please contact us for a complimentary consultation.

We’ll review your claim, answer your questions, and explore viable avenues for seeking compensation.

Can You Get Your Selma Car Accident Report Online, in Person, or by Mail?

The Selma Police Department does not offer police reports online, but you can get one in person or by mail.

To obtain your report in person, you can visit the Selma PD during business hours at:

2055 Third Street

Selma, California.

Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It may be a good idea to call ahead at (559) 891-2231 to ensure they have your report.

These are generally available within 7-10 business days of the accident but may occasionally be delayed, especially if the accident involves an arrest or criminal charges (such as a drunk driving accident).

When you go to pick up your report in person, you will need to fill out a request form and provide identification, then pay for the report. Traffic collision reports are $35, and they accept cash, credit, or debit cards.

You can also print the report request form at home and fill it out ahead of time.

If you want to order by mail, please call the above number to verify your report is available and receive instructions for mailing in your payment.

Who Is Eligible to Obtain a Traffic Collision Report?

These are available to “involved parties,” which may include:

  • An involved driver or pedestrian
  • A reporting party (the person who reported the accident)
  • A party mentioned in the report
  • The registered owner of an involved vehicle or property

Understanding Your Selma Car Accident Report

Car accident reports are often confusing for the layperson, and many people have questions or concerns. The best solution is to discuss your report with a car accident lawyer, who can answer all your queries and advise you of your options for pursuing compensation.

In the meantime, here is a brief overview of a car accident report:

The First Page

The initial page of a police report primarily provides general information about the involved parties: name, address, contact information, driver’s license numbers, insurance policy details, vehicle license plate numbers, and VINs. Check to see if everything is correct and verify the other driver has insurance.

The Second Page

Page two of the report delves into the specifics of the accident and its causes. The responding officer will document details like seatbelt usage, deployment of airbags, the type of the collision, and the vehicles, objects, and individuals in the accident. Additionally, contributing factors like weather or road conditions or driver intoxication might be indicated.

The officer will attempt to understand the sequence of vehicle maneuvers leading up to the collision, including a brief sketch of the crash. This is based on interviews with involved parties, witness statements, and evidence at the scene (like tire marks or property damage).

The Third Page

On the third page, you’ll find comprehensive details concerning any injuries sustained during the collision, if applicable. This section lists the nature of injuries suffered by each person, whether they required a trip to the hospital, and if so, where they were taken.

The Fourth Page

The concluding page of the report includes a factual diagram depicting the collision sequence. Some clients tell us they believe this diagram or other conclusions in the report are incorrect.

Conflicting narratives from involved parties and confusing or insufficient evidence can sometimes make it difficult to determine the facts of an accident. When the client believes the officer’s conclusion is wrong, we’ll review the case, sometimes canvassing the area where the accident occurred for additional witnesses or evidence.

If we find evidence to support a different conclusion, we may be able to challenge the police report.

Does the Police Report Say Who Is at Fault?

Not in so many words. On page two, the officer may note driver actions that caused or contributed to the crash, which often point to fault.

An insurance adjuster will meticulously review the report, looking for fault indicators they can use to reject or reduce your claim settlement.

It’s also essential to understand that in California, fault in a car accident is frequently shared. It’s possible for one party to be 100 percent responsible, but it’s also possible for both drivers to contribute to the crash.

For instance, you might think the other driver is at fault, and you may be mostly right—perhaps they are 80 percent to blame, but you made a small error that contributed 20 percent.

Under California’s pure comparative negligence laws, each party is responsible for their own share of the damages (although their liability insurance will usually pay this share for them). So, if you were 20 percent at fault, you could still recover 80 percent of your damages.

Unfortunately, you can’t assume the insurance adjuster will calculate your contributions correctly or that the police report is entirely accurate, so it’s best to consult a car accident lawyer to protect your interests.

Get a Free Consultation About Your Car Accident Today

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident in Fresno, please contact Singh Ahluwalia Attorneys at Law at (559) 878-4958 for a free consultation. We’ll study the report, clarify any points of confusion, and outline your options for seeking compensation.

If we take your case, you won’t owe us anything until we successfully resolve it, so please don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance.