KTLA 5 News reported on November 8, 2020 that the Los Angeles Police Department in coming months will downsize its specialized units and stop responding in person to traffic collisions.Victims of misdemeanor hit-and-run crashes and collisions with minor injuries will be advised to file a report online.

If you file an insurance claim later on, your insurance company will ask for the police report number. If you don’t file a police report, the details about the accident is essential. Many collision centers and other mechanic shops will include details about the accident once you bring your car in for repair. Your insurance company and the other drivers insurance company will have access to these details.

Insurance companies need these details to settle an insurance claim. They might be able to establish fault as well as gain the names and numbers of witnesses to call.

It will make it easier for them to “see” what happened so they can determine how they want to proceed with closing the claim.

A successful insurance claim could be dependent upon how well you collected information about the accident.

Police reports do NOT include a determination of fault . The insurance companies that insured the drivers who were involved in the accidents are the ones who determine fault. 

The date, time, and place of the accident. This can help you prove when the accident occurred. Contact information and statements from other drivers, their passengers, and witnesses. … You can use this information to help prove your injuries were caused by the crash.

How Do You Prove a Car Accident Was Not Your Fault?
Take pictures. All cellphones now have cameras. …
Exchange contact information. While obtaining contact information from the other driver will not help prove his negligence, you will need it to file a claim.
Contact the police. …
Speak to witnesses. …
Retain an attorney.

Since the new move by the police is to not investigate your accident, it’s up to you to create your own accident report. You’ll need the report to help convince the other driver’s insurance company that their insured, and not you, caused the accident.

Auto accidents can be stressful

You are emotionally shook up, you may be hurt. You do your best to talk to the other driver to get the information you need.

You may not remember everything you were supposed to ask for. You may forget something that you were told at the accident scene.

Your handwriting may be unreadable because you were shaking.

You may make a mistake in the information you obtained.