{"id":6293,"date":"2026-11-05T02:37:25","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T02:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/report-fatal-crash-police-chp-california\/"},"modified":"2026-11-08T07:35:44","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T07:35:44","slug":"report-fatal-crash-police-chp-california","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/wrongful-death-lawyer\/report-fatal-crash-police-chp-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Fatal Crash Police Report in Bakersfield: How to Get One"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Fatal Crash Guidance | Bakersfield, CA<\/p>

Fatal Crash Police Report in Bakersfield: Talk to Colvin Accident Lawyers<\/h1>

After a fatal crash, the official report can be hard to obtain and harder to understand. Colvin Accident Lawyers helps families in Kern County and nearby communities make sense of it and decide what comes next.<\/p>

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By Donald Norman Colvin \u00b7 Published November 4, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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How do I get a police report after a fatal crash in Bakersfield? First, find out which agency responded. Then request the report from that agency online, by mail, or in person. The steps are simple, but the paperwork can be hard to sort out while you are grieving.<\/p>\n

This guide covers the reporting duties, the agencies involved, what to have ready, how long requests take, and what the report contains. Each section answers one part of the question.<\/p>\n

Do I Need to Report a Fatal Crash to the Police or CHP in California?<\/h2>\n

Yes. The driver involved in a fatal crash has duties at the scene and afterward. Under Cal. Veh. Code \u00a7 20001<\/a>, a driver involved in a crash that injures or kills someone else must immediately stop at the scene and fulfill the requirements of Sections 20003 and 20004. If a driver fails to stop, the penalties are higher when the crash causes a death or permanent, serious injury.<\/p>\n

A separate written report is also required. Under Cal. Veh. Code \u00a7 16000<\/a>, a driver involved in an accident that has resulted in damage to the property of any one person in excess of $1,000, bodily injury, or death must report the accident to the DMV within 10 days, personally or through an insurance agent, broker, or legal representative. No report is required if the vehicle was owned or leased by, or under the direction of, the United States, this state, another state, or a local agency. The California DMV<\/a> explains that this filing, the SR-1, is separate from reports made to police, the CHP, or an insurer.<\/p>\n

These duties fall on the driver, not on family members. Relatives still benefit from knowing these steps. Families often hear about them for the first time after a loss, so it helps to learn them early. A police or CHP report creates an official record of what happened, which matters if the family later pursues a claim.<\/p>\n\n

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If you're sorting out a crash report after losing someone, we're glad to talk through your next steps with you, at your own pace. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

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Which Agency Responded: CHP, City Police, or the Sheriff?<\/h2>\n

Three agencies may respond to a fatal crash in the Bakersfield area: the California Highway Patrol (CHP), city police, or the county sheriff. CHP typically handles crashes on state highways, such as Highway 99 and Highway 58. City police typically handle city streets. The sheriff typically handles unincorporated parts of Kern County.<\/p>\n

Confirm the agency before you request anything. Check the officer’s business card, the incident or case number, the scene paperwork, tow receipts, and any insurance letters. Crashes near a city boundary may need a call to confirm which agency handled the scene. Write down the agency name, the case number, and the crash date before you start. The case number is a useful starting point, since it helps the agency find the file. Identifying the right agency first avoids a wasted request and a second round of paperwork.<\/p>\n

How to Get a Police Report After a Fatal Crash in Bakersfield<\/h2>\n

Requests go to the agency that responded, not to one office for every crash. The CHP explains on its crash report request page<\/a> how to ask for a report online, in person, or by mail.<\/p>\n

Local police and sheriff offices set their own request steps. Ask the agency who may request a copy and what it charges before you send anything. If you mail a request, include the details from the checklist below, the payment the agency requires, and a copy of your own form. If the first agency you contact cannot release the report, ask which agency holds it. Keep every receipt and confirmation.<\/p>\n

What to Have Ready Before You Request the Report<\/h2>\n

Gathering these details first prevents repeat trips and returned forms. Have the following ready:<\/p>\n