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How to get a crash report from the San Diego Police Department
The San Diego Police Department sells crash reports through BuyCrash (LexisNexis eCrash) at buycrash.lexisnexisrisk.com. Cost: $12 per report by mail or in person; online: 'A small fee may be charged' (amount not stated by SDPD). Allow three to 10 business days from the date of the accident for the report to be submitted, processed and approved for release.
From the San Diego Police Department's own pages, checked October 2, 2026
Requesting the report
| Covers | collisions inside San Diego city limits worked by SDPD |
|---|---|
| Request online | buycrash.lexisnexisrisk.com |
| Cost | $12 per report by mail or in person; online: 'A small fee may be charged' (amount not stated by SDPD) |
| Usually ready | Allow three to 10 business days from the date of the accident for the report to be submitted, processed and approved for release |
| What you need | Under Vehicle Code 20012 only people subject to civil liability (drivers, injured passengers, insurance companies, employers of the driver) get a copy; not released to arrested individuals or suspects. By mail include a stamped self-addressed envelope and a $12 check or money order payable to the City Treasurer. |
| In person | SDPD Records Division, 1401 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101. Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. $12 processing fee per report. |
| By mail | SDPD Records MS#726, P.O. Box 121431, San Diego, CA 92112, with a stamped self-addressed envelope and a $12 check or money order payable to the City Treasurer. |
| Phone | 866-215-2771 (SDPD lists it for the LexisNexis eCrash phone option, Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. EST); 619-531-2846 (SDPD Records, listed for report pickup status) |
Need a different police report (theft, incident)? Crime, arrest and incident reports: by mail or in person at 1401 Broadway; all reports except arrest reports cost $12 (arrest reports 50 cents, page 1 only); after seven business days email sdpdreportrequests@pd.sandiego.gov or call 619-531-2846 to confirm a report is ready..
Fatal crashes in San Diego
549 people died in 515 crashes in San Diego from 2020 through 2024 (NHTSA FARS), more of them on I-5 than on any other road. In 2024, 109 were killed, 4% more than in 2020.
After you have the report
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Get the crash report
Statewide copies come from California Highway Patrol (CHP), through its Online Crash Report System (Crash Portal) or any CHP Area office, cost CHP 190 by mail or in person: $10.00 for 1-25 pages, $20.00 for 26-50 pages, $30.00 for 51-75 pages, $40.00 for 76-100 pages, with no extra charge for handling or mailing. The online portal fee is not stated on the CHP web pages. and are usually ready typically within eight (8) business days from the date of the crash.
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Know your deadline
California gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). If a city, county or state vehicle was involved: A written claim for death, injury to person or injury to personal property must be presented to the public entity within six months after the cause of action accrues (one year for other claims).
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Who pays
California is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the injuries and damage.
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If you were partly at fault
If you were partly at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and you can still recover even if you were mostly (even 99%) at fault.
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The other driver’s minimum coverage
The legal minimum liability coverage in California is $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per crash and $15,000 for property (30/60/15).
Check your deadline and a rough claim range
A filing date and a rough value range for California. Both take under a minute.
Questions
How much is a crash report from the San Diego Police Department?
$12 per report by mail or in person; online: 'A small fee may be charged' (amount not stated by SDPD).
How long does it take to get a San Diego crash report?
Allow three to 10 business days from the date of the accident for the report to be submitted, processed and approved for release.
Can I get my San Diego crash report online?
Yes, at buycrash.lexisnexisrisk.com. You need: Under Vehicle Code 20012 only people subject to civil liability (drivers, injured passengers, insurance companies, employers of the driver) get a copy; not released to arrested individuals or suspects. By mail include a stamped self-addressed envelope and a $12 check or money order payable to the City Treasurer.
Sources
- San Diego Police Department crash reports: www.sandiego.gov/police/services/get-police-report
SDPD 'Get a Police Report': "Before attempting to obtain a copy of the traffic collision report, please allow three to 10 business days from the date of the accident so the report can be submitted, processed and approved for release." "Here are the ways to obtain a traffic collision report: Online: Submit an online request through LexisNexis eCrash. A small fee may be charged to retrieve a report. Phone: 866-215-2771 Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. (EST). Mail: Mail request to: SDPD Records MS#726 P.O. Box 121431 San Diego, CA 92112 Include: a stamped, self-addressed envelope; check or mone…
- Request portal: buycrash.lexisnexisrisk.com/ (LexisNexis eCrash / BuyCrash, linked from sandiego
- Other police reports: www.sandiego.gov/police/services/get-police-report
Read October 2, 2026. Laws and fees change; the linked page is the authority.