A frightening side-swipe accident on Highway 101, or a rear-end collision suffered on State Street, may leave you in need of a copy of an accident report. An accident report filed by an investigating officer can help you prove who was at fault and who should be responsible for recovery costs.
In Santa Barbara, you can obtain a police collision report online, by phone, or by email for a small per-page fee.
Getting Your Hands on a Santa Barbara Police Accident Report
Before we jump into the directions for getting your accident report, remember that if you have Quick Accident & Injury Lawyers handling your case, your attorney will secure this document for you. You will want to consider seeking a Santa Barbara car accident lawyer’s protection if you or a loved one were seriously hurt in a Santa Barbara traffic accident.
If the Santa Barbara Police handle your accident, an officer will prepare an accident report detailing what happened in your accident and their opinion on who caused the collision. It’s always a good idea to wait at least a week before inquiring about your report. This gives the officer time to complete the report and file it.
Online Request:
Victims can secure an accident report by visiting the public records portal. They should have this and other information ready.
- The date of the accident
- The location of the accident
- The names of the drivers involved
- The responding officer’s name and the police report number if possible
By Phone: Accident victims can make a request over the phone by calling 805-897-2358.
https://santabarbaraca.gov/government/departments/police-department/records-bureau
By Email: Victims can also email the Public Records Act Manager to make a request.
phalverson@sbpd.com
You can find further instructions on the Santa Barbara Police Department website.
What Does My Santa Barbara Accident Report Cost?
Your public records will cost you 20 cents a page. You can pay with cash, check, or credit card for charges under $10. If your costs are $10 or over, you must pay with a VISA, MasterCard, or Discover credit card.
How Do I Get an Accident Report from the California Highway Patrol?
The California Highway Patrol may respond to your accident, especially along a major highway like Route 101 or 154.
You can seek a copy of your crash report online by filling out a web form here.