What You Should Know About Traffic Collision Reports

California State Law DOES NOT require a report be taken for NON-INJURY traffic collision. The law only requires that the participants in the collision exchange identification and insurance information. It is THEIR responsibility to exchange information.

The California Vehicle Code (CVC) states:

16025 (a) CVC -Every driver involved in a collision shall unless rendered incapable, exchange with the other driver(s) or property owner(s) at the time of the collision the following information: 16025(a)(1) CVC- Driver's name and current residence address, driver's license number, vehicle identification number, and current residence address of the registered owner. 16025(a)(2) CVC- -Evidence of financial responsibility. If that responsibility is insurance, the name and address of the Insurance Company will be provided.

The Anaheim Police Department will provide a report for anyone involved in a collision. In the event the collision results in injury or death, an Officer will file the collision report. Officers do NOT respond to SOME types of collisions such as non-injury collisions on private property or hit and run collisions in which there is no workable evidence or information. The parties may call the Anaheim Police Communication Center and they will advise the parties if the circumstances of the collision will result in the response of an Officer to the collision. In the event an Officer is not sent to the collision, the drivers are still required to exchange identifying information with each other. They are also invited to file a collision report at the front counter of the Police Department. Although it is recommended that all parties to the collision are present, a single party to the collision may file the report at the front counter. When a report is filed, the parties will be given a report number. The report number, called a "DR" should be reported to the parties insurance company.

The Officer will conduct an investigation of the collision. In most cases the Officer will NOT inform the parties as to the findings. In some cases, if the Officer determines that there was a violation of the vehicle code that caused the accident, a citation MAY be issued at the scene. The Officer also has the option of having a citation issued to the violator by mail at a later time. In extreme cases, criminal charges may be filed by the District Attorney or the Anaheim City Attorney, against violators.

AFTER THE ACCIDENT

After the accident do not call the Police Department to try and get information from the report. No information can be given over the phone. The parties involved in the collision are entitled to obtain a copy of the report from the Police Department. The report will be ready in about 10 working days. The Officer must complete the report and turn it in. It is then reviewed and inserted into the main record keeping process at the Anaheim Police Department. It is then available for retrieval and distribution to involved parties, and/or insurance companies. Please call 714-765-1860 prior to coming to the Police Station to make sure that the report is ready to be obtained.

HIT & RUN TRAFFIC COLLISIONS

For Hit & Run cases, do not expect any information regarding the incident for several weeks, possibly longer. When there is identifying information available on the suspect vehicle (ie: the license plate number) a letter is sent to the registered owner of the suspect vehicle requesting that they contact the Police in regards to the collision. There is then a period of time waiting for a response.

There are over 1500 hit & run cases every year, and the process to locate the suspect drivers is long. DO NOT call investigators for an update, they will contact you if and when there is any progress in the case. You may come in after the 10 days and ask for a copy of the report and any supplemental reports detailing any progress. This may have the information of the registered owner of the suspect vehicle. This DOES NOT mean that the suspect driver has been identified.

If you are contacted by the suspect or the suspect's insurance company and you have resolved the incident, please call 714-765-1860 and talk to an investigator.

If you need to talk to a Traffic Investigator please call ONLY Tuesday through Friday between 900 AM and 3 PM. DO NOT call on Mondays. When calling please give detailed messages including name, return phone number and report number. Investigators will return your call as soon as their work load permits. This may be a matter of days. Be patient, we will respond as soon as possible.

If you have Auto Insurance, remember that they are there to assist you in ALL aspects of the situation when you have a collision. Cooperate with them and let them handle the situation. Between the Police and the Insurance companies, they have most everything covered. You should not have to do much. Relax - Accidents happen.