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Calling Police After a Truck Accident in Inglewood
truck-accident · By John K. Mazin, Attorney ·
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California law requires a DMV report after any truck crash causing injury, death, or property damage over $1,000.
Yes. You should always call the police after a commercial truck crash in Inglewood. California law requires a written report to the DMV within ten days of any collision causing injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. A police report creates an independent record, identifies the carrier and driver, and strengthens your injury claim under California's two-year statute of limitations.
Yes. You should always call the police after a commercial truck crash in Inglewood. California law requires a written report to the DMV within ten days of any collision causing injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. A police report creates an independent record, identifies the carrier and driver, and strengthens your injury claim under California's two-year statute of limitations.
Key takeaways
- Inglewood truck crashes on the 405, 105, or Century Boulevard require immediate police notification if anyone is injured.
- Claims file at Inglewood Courthouse, One Regent Street, within two years under CCP §335.1.
- Severe injuries go to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a Level I trauma center in Torrance.
- You must report any crash with injury or over $1,000 damage to the DMV within ten days.
Commercial truck collisions in Inglewood often occur where Interstate 405 meets the Century Freeway or along congested corridors like La Brea Avenue. These crashes cause catastrophic injuries because tractor-trailers outweigh passenger vehicles by 20 times or more. A police report creates the foundation for every serious truck injury claim.
Calling law enforcement preserves evidence, documents the scene, and identifies the carrier, driver, and insurer before the trucking company's safety team arrives. Without an official report, proving fault becomes far more difficult. The choices you make in the first minutes after impact shape the outcome of your case.
When California law requires a police report
California Vehicle Code requires that any driver involved in a collision causing injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 must file a written Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR-1 form) with the DMV within ten days. If the crash involves a commercial motor carrier, police documentation is critical because federal regulations govern driver hours, cargo securement, and maintenance records.
Even if the truck driver says no one is hurt or suggests exchanging information privately, call 911. Serious injuries such as internal bleeding, spinal trauma, or traumatic brain injury may not produce immediate symptoms. Harbor-UCLA Medical Center treats many Inglewood truck crash victims because it is the nearest Level I trauma center, located at 1000 West Carson Street in Torrance.
How a police report protects your claim
A police report identifies the trucking company, the federal motor carrier number, the driver's commercial license status, and the insurer. Officers document skid marks, debris fields, traffic-control devices, and witness statements before the scene is cleared. Trucking companies dispatch investigators within hours to photograph damage, interview their driver, and download electronic control module data from the truck's black box.
Insurance adjusters rely heavily on the police narrative to assign fault. If no report exists, the carrier's insurer may deny the collision happened or claim the truck driver had a green light at Manchester and La Brea. The report becomes sworn evidence if your case proceeds to trial at Inglewood Courthouse. You have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under CCP §335.1, but only six months if the truck was operated by a government entity under Gov. Code §911.2.
What to do if police will not come to the scene
California Highway Patrol and local police prioritize injury collisions. If the crash occurred on Interstate 405, State Route 90, or Interstate 105, CHP has jurisdiction and typically responds. If the collision is on a surface street such as Century Boulevard or Manchester Boulevard and appears minor, officers may tell you to exchange information and file an online report later.
In that situation, photograph everything: the truck's DOT placard, license plates, driver's CDL and medical card, the damage to all vehicles, skid marks, traffic signals, and the final resting positions. Record the name, phone number, and statement of every witness. Then file an SR-1 form with the DMV within ten days and obtain a copy of the California Highway Patrol online traffic collision report as soon as it becomes available. Notify your own insurer immediately, because most policies require prompt reporting.
Local details
Inglewood is located in Los Angeles County, served by the Southwest District of the Los Angeles Superior Court. If your truck accident claim goes to trial, it will be heard at Inglewood Courthouse, One Regent Street, Inglewood, CA 90301. You must file within two years of the collision date under CCP §335.1, or six months if the truck was government-owned under Gov. Code §911.2.
Interstate 405 carries heavy truck traffic between the ports and inland warehouses. Interstate 105 and State Route 90 funnel delivery trucks to and from LAX. Century Boulevard is a major commercial corridor where semis merge with dense airport traffic. La Brea Avenue and Manchester Boulevard see frequent truck-versus-car collisions during rush hour. Severe injuries are treated at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, a Level I trauma center that treats complex polytrauma and burn cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will calling the police make my insurance rates go up?
Your rates depend on fault, not whether you called police. California is an at-fault state, and insurers review the collision report and claims history. If the truck driver is found at fault, your own carrier will not surcharge you. Failing to document the crash, however, may leave you unable to prove the trucking company caused your injuries.
What if the truck driver leaves the scene before police arrive?
A commercial driver who leaves an injury collision commits a felony hit-and-run. Note the truck's license plate, DOT number, and company name if visible. Give that information to the responding officer and to your attorney immediately. Your uninsured motorist coverage may apply, and investigators can trace the carrier through federal FMCSA databases.
Can I file a claim if I did not call police at the scene?
Yes, but proving liability becomes much harder. You can still file an SR-1 with the DMV and pursue a claim, but the trucking company will argue there is no independent evidence. Obtain medical records, witness statements, and photographs as quickly as possible. Courts admit other evidence, but a police report carries significant weight with juries and insurers.
How long does it take to get a copy of the police report?
California Highway Patrol and local agencies typically release collision reports within ten to fourteen business days. You can request a copy from the investigating agency by providing the report number, date, and location. Your attorney can expedite the request and obtain the full investigative file, including photographs and officer notes not included in the public report.
Related reading
- Truck Accident Practice Area
- Inglewood Truck Accident Page
- Common Truck Accident Injuries in Los Angeles: Symptoms, Care, and Claims
- Why Truck 'Black Box' Data Disappears in Long Beach Cases
- Who Is Liable for a Woodland Hills Truck Accident Besides the Driver?
Sources
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Attorney advertising. This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.