After a scary accident on a busy route like Atlantic Avenue or Florence Avenue, you might need help proving that you weren’t at fault.
This document may be important to your insurance provider or to a claim you’re forced to file against the at-fault driver’s insurer. For an accident in Bell, you’ll likely need to contact the Records Division of the Bell Police Department.
How Do I Request My Accident Report from Bell PD
If the Bell Police Department (BPD) investigated your accident, you’ll contact the department’s Record Division to request a copy of your collision report.
Keep a few things in mind.
- You should wait at least a week after your accident to allow an investigation to be completed and to allow the officer to submit the report.
- If you have a Bell Car Accident Lawyer handling your case, your lawyer will request this report for you
- If your accident only involved property damage, your insurer may be reaching out to secure the collision report
To request an accident report, you’ll first need to contact the Bell Police Department Records Bureau.
They are available Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.
(323) 585-1245
When you call, make sure you have a few pieces of information handy.
- Your accident report number if the officer provided it
- The date and location of your accident
- Your driver’s license information
- Your insurance information
Getting a CHP Accident Report
If you’re on a major route like I-710, it may be a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer showing up at the scene of the crash. In this case, you’ll need to request an accident report from the CHP in the days that follow. You can make a request online, in person, or by mail.
Requesting a CHP Collision Report by Mail or In Person
Before you mail off a request or deliver it in person, you’ll be required to print and fill out a CHP 190 document. You can find full instructions on the CHP website.
Then you’ll need to determine the closest Highway Patrol Office to you. You don’t have to go to the CHP office where your accident occurred. If you fill out a CHP 190 form, you can make your request at any office.
You can find the closest CHP office on their website. It will likely be one of two locations for Bell residents. Accident victims can go to the East Los Angeles office or the Central Los Angeles office:
(535) East Los Angeles
1601 Corporate Center Drive
Monterey Park, CA 91754
323-980-4600
(590) Central Los Angeles
777 West Washington Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-744-2331
How Do I Get a CHP Accident Report Online
You can also request a collision report from the CHP online. Fill out this collision report request form on the CHP website.
Your eligibility to have access to the report will be checked. You’ll probably need to be one of these parties to get access:
- Driver
- Motorcyclist
- Passenger
- Other victims involved in the crash, like a pedestrian or cyclist
- The owner of the car
- The parent or legal guardian of a victim involved
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Bell?
For minor accidents involving just car damage, you shouldn’t need a lawyer to get a settlement to pay to fix your car or replace it. For an accident that results in just some scrapes and cuts, you probably won’t require the help of a lawyer. But when accidents involve serious injuries, like a bone fracture, to you or a loved one, it’s important to go over your case with a skilled attorney.
Your injury could be worth more than you think, especially if your injury will require medical care for weeks or months to come. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t allow you to think this far ahead. They can give you a quick settlement award that leaves you to pay half or more of your own medical bills.
Don’t end up footing the bill for a major injury that you received through no fault of your own. Contact a Bell Car Accident Lawyer serving all victims in Los Angeles County to find out how we can help you during recovery. There’s no obligation, but if you need our help, you won’t need any money to hire us. We don’t get paid unless we win your case. Then our fee comes out of the settlement check that a car insurance company is forced to pay you.
