If you are filing an insurance claim, buying a used car or dealing with legal disputes you might need car accident history report. If you need this information in California for any reason there are a few steps to follow. This guide walks you through the process and explains how Fresno car accident lawyer can assist if complications arise.
Why People Look Up Their Car Accident History?
Each car has its story, often with chapters that dealers try to hide. In California, checking the history of an accident becomes a necessary step for many vehicle owners and buyers. People check accident history for various reasons, including:
✅ Buying a used car
✅ Legal actions and claims for damages
✅ Determining the actual cash value of the car
✅ Resolving disputes with insurance companies
Ways to Check Your Car Accident History in California
1. Online Requests – California DMV (Your Own Record Only)
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) allows individuals to request their own driving record online. However, accident history for other individuals cannot be accessed online.
Steps to Request Online
✅ Visit the California DMV website – DMV Online Record Request
✅ Log in or create an account
✅ Pay the $2 fee
✅ Download the record instantly
🛑 Limitations: Only your own records can be accessed online. To request someone else’s accident history, you must submit a mail-in request.
2. Requesting by Mail – Form INF 1125 (Your Own Record)
If you need a detailed driving record, vehicle history, or accident reports, the DMV allows you to request these records by mail.
For Your Own Car Accident History
✅ Complete DMV Form INF 1125 – Download Form INF 1125 (PDF)
✅ Include a check/money order for $5
✅ Mail to:
📍 DMV Information Release Unit
MS G199
PO Box 944247
Sacramento, CA 94244-2470
3. Requesting Accident Reports from Law Enforcement (If Police Were Involved)
If a law enforcement agency responded to the accident, you can request the official accident report from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or the local police department that handled the crash.
How to Request a Police Accident Report
✅ Identify the agency that filed the report (CHP, LAPD, or local police)
✅ Visit their website or office
✅ Provide accident details (date, location, case number, vehicle details)
✅ Pay the required fee (varies by agency, typically $5–$25)
🔹 CHP Accident Reports – CHP Request Page
🛑 Who Can Request? Only involved parties, attorneys, and insurance companies are allowed access.
4. Checking Car Accident History Before Buying a Used Car
If you’re purchasing a used car, checking its accident history helps avoid buying a vehicle with hidden damage.
Ways to Check a Used Car’s Accident History:
✅ Carfax Report – Carfax Vehicle History Check
✅ AutoCheck Report – AutoCheck VIN Lookup
✅ National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) – Free VIN Check – NICB VINCheck
What You Need:
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- A small fee (Carfax and AutoCheck charge for reports, but NICB is free)
🛑 Warning: Some sellers may hide accident history from buyers. Always verify with official DMV and insurance records.
5. Requesting Archived or Microfilm Records
If you need older accident history records that are not available electronically, you can request microfilm copies from the DMV.
How to Request Microfilm Records:
✅ Submit DMV Form INF 70 – Download Form INF 70 (PDF)
✅ Include $20 per year requested
✅ Mail to the DMV Information Release Unit
💰 Example Cost: Requesting records for 2023 and 2024 will cost $40 total ($20 per year).
Can You Request Another Person’s Car Accident Record in California?
In certain situations, you may need to access someone else’s car accident history—for example, if you’re involved in a legal dispute, settling an insurance claim, or purchasing a used vehicle. Accessing another person’s car accident history in California is subject to strict privacy laws, primarily governed by the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). This federal law restricts the disclosure of personal information from motor vehicle records without the individual’s consent, except for specific permissible purposes.
However, it allows disclosure for specific “permissible purposes,” such as:
How to Check Car Accident History in California 2 - Government Functions
- Courts, law enforcement, or government agencies conducting official business.
- Motor Vehicle Safety
- Investigations into safety recalls, emissions, theft, or advisories.
- Legitimate Business Needs
- Businesses verifying personal information (e.g., banks, employers with driving-related roles).
- Legal Proceedings
- Civil, criminal, or administrative cases requiring accident records as evidence.
- Insurance Purposes
- Insurers handling claims, antifraud efforts, underwriting, or risk assessments.
🛑 If you do not qualify under these categories, you cannot legally access the records. Fines up to $2,500 per violation under the DPPA.
Who Can Legally Access Another Person’s Accident Record
In California, car accident reports are generally not public records. According to California Vehicle Code §20012, all accident reports are for the confidential use of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of the California Highway Patrol. However, certain parties are allowed access to these reports, including:
- Drivers involved in the accident.
- Injured parties or property owners affected by the crash.
- Individuals facing potential liability from the accident.
- Attorneys representing any of the above parties.
If you don’t qualify under these categories, you generally cannot access another person’s accident history without their consent.
Steps to Request Another Person’s Accident Record
- Complete Form INF 70
Download the Request for Record Information (INF 70) form from the California DMV website. This form allows you to request copies of another individual’s driving record, vehicle/vessel registration, or accident history. - Submit by Mail with Payment
- Mail the completed INF 70 form to the address listed on the document.
- Include a check or money order for $5 per request
- Online requests are slightly cheaper at $2 per record, but they’re only available for requests of personal records, not someone else’s.
- Microfilm Document Copies
If you need physical copies of vehicle/vessel documents not available electronically (e.g., pre-digital era records), the DMV charges $20 per year for requested archived records.
Why Consult a Car Accident Attorney?
The history of traffic accidents is a key element in making informed decisions about vehicles. In California, where traffic jams and accidents are common, knowing the history of a car is not just a formality – it is a necessity that protects your financial interests and personal safety. Detailed reports of previous accidents can reveal potential problems that are not visible during a standard vehicle inspection, help with legal proceedings, and ensure a fair assessment of value. An attorney can help you with
✔ Interpreting Accident Reports – A lawyer can analyze the details in a DMV report, police report, or insurance claims record to determine liability, potential defects, or hidden damage.
✔ Disputing Inaccurate Information – If your accident report contains errors or omissions, an attorney can help you challenge and correct the records.
✔ Using Reports as Legal Evidence – In personal injury claims or car accident lawsuits, a history report can serve as evidence to establish fault, support claims for damages, or counter an insurer’s argument.
✔ Negotiating with Insurance Companies – Insurers may use past accident history to deny claims or reduce payouts. A skilled attorney ensures that you receive fair compensation despite previous records.
✔ Protecting You in Vehicle Purchases – If you’re buying a used car, an attorney can help you review the accident history report to detect potential fraud, such as hidden structural damage or rolled-back odometer readings.
The Bojat Law Group recommends that all drivers and car owners regularly check and keep records of their accident history. This practice not only proves useful in current situations but can also be invaluable in unforeseen future circumstances.
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