You can get a copy of your Richmond police report at AccidentReports.com, or you can go through the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Records and ID Unit. The Richmond Police Department no longer distributes in-person or online reports. Instead, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Records and ID Unit handles all accident report requests for the local law enforcement agencies in that county. The Sheriff’s Department offers two ways to get a copy of your collision report.

In-Person

You can visit the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Records and ID Unit in person and fill out a Records Request Form, pay the appropriate fee, and show a valid ID to obtain a copy of your report. The department is located at: 2530 Arnold Drive, Suite 170 Martinez, CA94553

By Mail

You can send a written request to the department, along with a copy of a valid photo ID, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and payment and mail your request to: 2530 Arnold Drive, Suite 170 Martinez, CA94553

A traffic accident report may cost $5 to $23 per copy.

The report process can depend on the complexity of the accident. Crashes in Richmond City that involved a fatality, crime, or significant bodily injuries can delay the report process for several months. For simple accidents, your accident report should be available within ten business days.

An accident report is a legal document that’s filled out by a police officer who responded to the scene of a car crash. In this document, you’ll find the names and contact details for all parties involved, in addition to driver’s license numbers, insurance information, a description of bodily injuries sustained in the accident, a description of vehicle damage, a diagram of the crash site, any arrests made, any citations issued for the violation of traffic laws, road and weather conditions, the time, date, and location of the accident, and any contributing factors to the accident such as road work, potholes, inclement weather, and more.

In most cases, an unredacted traffic accident report will only be available to the parties involved in the collision, the parent or legal guardian of a minor that was involved in the accident, the owner of a vehicle that was involved in the crash, insurance companies, legal representatives, and law enforcement agencies.

If you were injured in an auto accident that was not your fault you may be entitled to compensation to cover the cost of all accident-related damages. A Richmond accident report can be used as evidence and can help your personal injury lawyer build a strong claim against the other driver. Information in the traffic accident report that can help strengthen your claim can include the police officer’s accident investigation findings which detail how the accident occurred, why it took place, and which driver they believe was negligent. Other information such as citations issued for traffic violations, a diagram of the accident scene, a description of your injuries and vehicle damage, and witness statements, can all help strengthen your claim for compensation and allow your accident attorney to effectively negotiate a fair settlement.