Requesting a Traffic Collision Report (TCR) Following a Car Accident in San Clemente

Depending on the location of the car accident in San Clemente, the investigating officers are likely to be members of either the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD).  The CHP’s process for investigating a car accident and preparing a TCR report is very different from the process employed by the OCSD for investigating car accidents and preparing a TCR report.  Below you will find a brief outline on requesting a TCR from these two organizations following a car accident within the City of San Clemente.  

(For a complete outline of the process for getting your Traffic Collision Report from the CHP go here .  And a complete outline of the process for getting your Traffic Collision Report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department can be found here .)

NOTE:  In order to request a traffic collision report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department or the CHP, you will need to make sure you are entitled to request a copy of the report.  Under California Law, Traffic Collision Reports can be released to any of the following people: (A) Drivers involved in the collision; (B) Registered owners of vehicles involved; (C) Parents of a minor driver involved; (D) Passengers involved AND listed in the report; (E) Insurance companies; (F) Those incurring property damage as a result of the accident; (G) Those who may incur civil liability as a result of the accident; or (H) Any attorney who declares under penalty of perjury that he or she represents any of the above persons.

• California Highway Patrol Traffic Collision Report Request Process

If the CHP responded to the car accident in San Clemente, the easiest way to obtain a Traffic Collision Report is to visit the CHP Capistrano Office at 32951 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 .  If you have questions regarding the availability of your car accident report, the CHP Capistrano Office can be reached on its general information line at (949) 487-4000 .

Prior to receiving a traffic collision report from the California Highway Patrol,  you will need to complete the CHP 190 – Collision Request Form (found HERE in PDF Format).  Once the form is completed, you will want to photocopy your driver license or picture identification card and attach it to your request for a collision report.

For more information on obtaining a California Highway Patrol Traffic Collision Report, visit the CHP website ( here ).

• Orange County Sheriff’s Department-San Clemente Office

The San Clemente Office for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is located at 100 Avenida Presidio, San Clemente, CA 92672 .  When requesting the status of a car accident investigation and report within San Clemente, you can call the general information line at (949) 770-6011 .  If you were involved in an accident or witnessed an accident and want to provide a statement, you can ask for the name and contact for the investigating officer.  Typically, investigators want to gather as much information as possible and will be very welcoming of your call to help.  For more information on the San Clemente Sheriff’s Office, you can visit the City of San Clemente website ( here ) or the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website ( here ).

When requesting a traffic accident report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, it is important to follow the following steps:

1. Once you confirm that you are entitled to the TCR (see above), make sure you have the information related to your accident ready.  They may ask you for:  date, name, relationship to the accident, location of accident, and the report/investigation number (often found on the print-out or business card that the responding officer gave you at the scene.
   
2. Then, contact the OCSD Records department to confirm that the TCR report has been completed and is available.  They can be reached at (714) 834-6454 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). 
3. Download the TCR request form in Word Format HERE (click “Open” or “Save” in pop-up below) or PDF Format HERE (click “Open” or “Save” in pop-up below).
4. Fill out the request form completely.  If filling out PDF form, only use black ink.
   
5. Submit the completed form by email to reportrequest@ocsd.org; in person at 320 N. Flower St., Santa Ana, CA 92703; OR by mail to P.O. Box 449, Santa Ana, CA 92702
   

The cost of a TCR from the OCSD is fifteen cents ($0.15) per page. If your request is approved, you will be contacted to arrange pick-up and payment of the report. If your request is denied, you will receive a written denial.