CHP 555 Traffic Collision Report: How to Get Yours and What It Means
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This page was written and reviewed by Michael J. Cefali, Esq. Attorney Cefali is a founding partner of Cefali & Cefali, APC, based in San Juan Capistrano, CA. He holds a Juris Doctor from Chapman University Fowler School of Law and a B.A. in Global Studies & Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy. Widely recognized for his advocacy in personal injury law, he has secured multi-hundred-thousand-dollar settlements in motorcycle accidents, hit-and-runs, and red-light collision cases. He maintains a perfect 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo.
Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Cefali actively supports his community through the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributes to housing and meal programs for those in need, and enjoys fishing and spending time with his rescue dogs.
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CHP 555 Traffic Collision Report: How to Get Yours and What It Means
The CHP 555 Traffic Collision Report is the official accident report created by California Highway Patrol officers when they respond to a traffic collision. It documents the parties involved, the vehicles, the scene, witness statements, a diagram of what happened, and the officer's determination of the primary collision factor. If your accident happened on a state highway, freeway, or in an unincorporated area of California, the responding officer almost certainly created a CHP 555 (or the CHP 556 for property-damage-only cases). You can request a copy through the CHP Crash Portal online or by mailing a CHP 190 form to the local CHP Area office. This guide covers exactly what the CHP 555 is, how to get yours, how to read it, and what to do if it contains errors.
If you were injured in a California collision, call Cefali & Cefali at (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation. We request the CHP 555 for our clients as part of every case. Available 24/7. No fee unless we recover for you.
What Is the CHP 555 Traffic Collision Report?
The CHP 555 is the standardized traffic collision report form used by the California Highway Patrol under the CHP Collision Investigation Manual. It is a multi-page document that captures every detail an officer determines while investigating a crash: the parties, the vehicles, the location, damage assessment, statements from drivers and witnesses, weather and roadway conditions, a scene diagram, and a narrative describing what the officer concluded happened.
The report includes a critical determination called the "Primary Collision Factor," which is the officer's opinion of the single most important act or omission that caused the collision. That determination often carries significant weight with insurance companies and can shape settlement negotiations.
The CHP 555 is not a legal finding of fault, and it does not automatically bind insurance companies or courts. However, in practice it is one of the most influential documents in most California car accident cases. Understanding what it says, how to correct it if wrong, and how to use it strategically matters.
When Does CHP Create a CHP 555?
CHP officers create a CHP 555 when they respond to a traffic collision within their jurisdiction. That includes:
State highways and freeways (I-5, I-405, US-101, all state routes)
Unincorporated county areas without their own police department
Cities that contract with CHP for traffic enforcement
If your accident happened on a city street inside an incorporated city, the responding local police department (LAPD, San Diego Police, Orange County Sheriff, or your local force) typically creates their own report using a similar but distinct format. If CHP did not respond to your accident, there is no CHP 555 to request.
CHP 555 vs. Local Police Report vs. SR-1: Three Different Documents
Confusion about California accident reporting is common. There are three separate documents, each serving a different purpose, and completing one does not satisfy the others.
CHP 555 Traffic Collision Report. Created by CHP officers. Documents the collision from law enforcement's perspective. Available on request from CHP.
Local police accident report. Created by city or county police (LAPD, Orange County Sheriff, San Diego Police, or any local agency). Same purpose as the CHP 555, but produced by a different agency for collisions on non-highway roads. Available through the specific agency that responded. See our guide on how to get a police report for a car accident.
DMV SR-1 Form. A self-reported form drivers file with the DMV under California Vehicle Code section 16000 within 10 days of any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. Filed by drivers, not police. Reports of law enforcement do NOT satisfy the SR-1 requirement. See our guide on the SR-1 form for the DMV filing process.
If you were in an accident CHP investigated, you generally need all three: the CHP 555 (to know what the officer wrote), the SR-1 filing (a legal obligation to the DMV within 10 days), and often an insurance claim report separate from all of it.
Who Can Request a CHP 555 Report?
Only a "Party of Interest" can request a copy of a CHP 555. Per CHP policy, the qualifying parties are:
Drivers involved in the collision
Bicyclists involved in the collision
Pedestrians involved in the collision
Passengers involved in the collision
Parents or legal guardians of a minor involved
Vehicle owners or damaged property owners
Legal representatives of any of the above (your attorney)
Manufacturer representatives (in product-liability cases)
Insurance companies with a valid claim or policy number
If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact the CHP Area office where the accident occurred, or ask your attorney. In practice, injured parties and their families almost always qualify.
How to Request Your CHP 555 Report
You have three ways to request a copy of your CHP 555 report.
Online through the CHP Crash Portal. The fastest route. The Crash Portal at chp.ca.gov lets you submit a request without visiting a CHP office in person. You verify your identity as a Party of Interest, provide the accident details, pay the fee electronically, and receive the report by email or mail once processing is complete. Turnaround times are typically shorter than mail requests.
By mail using CHP Form 190. Download the CHP 190 Collision Request form from chp.ca.gov, complete it fully (accident date, location, driver or owner name, party of interest checkbox, applicant information), attach a copy of your photo ID, include the applicable fee, and mail to the CHP Area office that responded to your accident. If you do not know which office responded, call CHP Headquarters at (916) 843-3000 to find out.
In person at a CHP Area office. Bring a completed CHP 190, photo ID, and the applicable fee to the CHP Area office that responded to your accident. You can submit and pay on the spot, but the report itself may still be mailed rather than provided immediately.
If you have an attorney, we typically handle the CHP 555 request as part of case intake. Attorneys can request the report on your behalf as your legal representative, and we often use the Crash Portal or direct communication with the CHP Area office to expedite processing.
CHP 555 Request Fees and Processing Time
CHP 555 report fees vary by Area office because each office sets its own copy fee schedule. A typical fee is $10 for a standard report up to a certain page count, with additional fees for longer reports. Fees for supplemental materials like photos or video also vary.
Before submitting your request, contact the specific CHP Area office that responded to your collision (or use the Crash Portal, which displays current fees for online requests) to confirm the exact amount. Include the correct fee with your CHP 190 to avoid processing delays.
Processing time for CHP 555 requests varies widely by office and by whether the collision investigation is still open. In practice:
Reports on completed investigations typically arrive within 2 to 6 weeks of a mail or Crash Portal request.
Reports on open investigations (particularly serious injury or fatality cases) may not be released until the investigation is closed, which can take months.
The Crash Portal is generally faster than mail requests.
What Information Is on the CHP 555 Report?
A complete CHP 555 typically runs several pages. Each page captures different information.
Page 1: Face Page. The core identifying information about the collision:
Report number and reporting officer
Date, time, and location of the collision (including city, county, and CHP district)
Weather and roadway conditions
Special conditions checkboxes (hit-and-run indicator, injuries, tow-away)
Party numbering (Party 1, Party 2, etc.) with driver names, addresses, license numbers, and vehicle information
Insurance information for each party
Damage estimates
Injuries sustained by each party
Factual Diagram Page. A drawn diagram showing the position of the vehicles at the point of collision, direction of travel, points of impact, and any relevant roadway features. This diagram is often central in disputed cases.
Narrative Pages. The officer's written description of what happened, including statements from drivers and witnesses, physical evidence at the scene, and the officer's determination of the primary collision factor (with an accompanying Vehicle Code section, if applicable).
Supplemental Pages. Additional detail such as party statements, witness lists with contact information, additional vehicle information, or photographs referenced by the report. In DUI-related cases, supplemental documentation about blood alcohol testing may be included.
Understanding "Primary Collision Factor" and Party Numbering
Two elements of the CHP 555 carry the most weight in insurance and injury claims: the Primary Collision Factor and the Party numbering.
Primary Collision Factor (PCF). This is the officer's determination of the single most important cause of the collision. It is usually stated as a specific California Vehicle Code violation ("driving under the influence, 23152 VC" or "unsafe speed for conditions, 22350 VC") or as a general category. This designation heavily influences how insurance companies evaluate liability. It is not a legal finding, but it functions as one in most settlement negotiations.
Party numbering. The party listed first (Party 1) is typically the party the officer considers most responsible for the collision. Party 2 is the next most involved, and so on. Party numbering is not the same as legal fault determination, but it usually correlates with the officer's opinion of fault. Being listed as Party 1 puts you in a weaker starting position for settlement negotiations.
Understanding both is critical for evaluating your case. A CHP 555 that lists you as Party 2 with the other driver's Vehicle Code violation as the Primary Collision Factor is strong for your claim. The reverse is a serious challenge that will require careful work to overcome.
How to Read Your CHP 555 Report
When you receive your CHP 555, review it methodically:
Start with the face page (Page 1). Verify the basic facts. Is your name spelled correctly? Are the date, time, and location accurate? Is the insurance information current? Are your injuries accurately captured?
Check your Party number. Note whether you are listed as Party 1, Party 2, or another number, and consider whether that placement makes sense.
Read the Primary Collision Factor. Note the Vehicle Code section cited and the officer's stated reason. This is the single most important line in the report for insurance purposes.
Study the factual diagram. Compare the officer's diagram to your memory of what happened. Note discrepancies, especially about which direction each vehicle was traveling and where impact occurred.
Read the narrative carefully. Look at how the officer characterized your statement and the other party's statement. Note witness statements.
Note witnesses. The witness list is often the most valuable page for building your case. Contact information for independent witnesses is sometimes the difference between a strong claim and a weak one.
Look for factual errors and misstatements. These can and should be addressed.
What to Do If Your CHP 555 Contains Errors
CHP 555 reports contain errors more often than most people expect. If you find factual mistakes in your report, you have options.
Factual errors (name spelling, address, insurance information, license plate number). Contact the reporting officer's CHP Area office and request a supplemental report to correct the mistake. Provide documentation supporting the correction. Simple factual errors are usually addressed through a supplemental page attached to the original report.
Disputed conclusions about how the accident happened. CHP officers rarely change their conclusions after the report is filed. However, you can submit a written statement of your own version of events, which is typically added as a supplement without altering the officer's original narrative. More importantly, insurance companies and, if needed, a jury are not bound by the officer's conclusions. Independent evidence (surveillance video, additional witnesses, accident reconstruction analysis) can rebut a CHP officer's finding.
Missing witnesses. If a witness spoke to you at the scene but is not in the report, provide their contact information to your attorney. Additional witnesses can be located independently through investigation, canvassing, or surveillance video from nearby businesses.
An experienced personal injury attorney knows how to challenge an unfavorable CHP 555 finding through a combination of supplemental reporting, independent investigation, expert analysis, and, when necessary, litigation.
Using the CHP 555 in an Insurance Claim or Injury Lawsuit
The CHP 555 shapes the trajectory of nearly every California car accident case. Here is how it factors in.
Insurance claim evaluation. The at-fault driver's insurance company evaluates the CHP 555 first. If the report clearly assigns fault to their insured driver, the claim is straightforward. If the report is ambiguous or points to the injured party, expect a fight. The report affects both liability determination and settlement value.
Comparative negligence analysis. California follows pure comparative negligence. The CHP 555 often becomes the starting point for the fault percentage discussion. A finding that assigns primary responsibility to the other driver but notes conduct by you (following too closely, exceeding a safe speed) can support a reduced fault percentage even if you were partly involved.
Litigation posture. In a filed lawsuit, the CHP 555 is admissible evidence in most circumstances (though the officer's conclusions may be subject to hearsay objections in some contexts). It is a document the jury will likely see. Its shape shapes the case's shape.
Your own strategy. If the CHP 555 helps you, use it. If it hurts you, know exactly what you are up against and prepare countering evidence early.
CHP 555 vs. CHP 556: Property Damage Only
The CHP 556 is a shorter report used for collisions with no injuries and only property damage. CHP officers use CHP 556 (rather than CHP 555) when responding to minor collisions where nobody was hurt.
The request process for a CHP 556 is the same as for a CHP 555: use the Crash Portal, submit a CHP 190 by mail, or request in person at the CHP Area office. The Party of Interest rules are the same.
Whether your accident produced a CHP 555 or a CHP 556 depends on injury status, not on damage severity. If any party (driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist) reported injury at the scene, the collision typically gets a CHP 555.
Frequently Asked Questions About the CHP 555 Report
What is a CHP 555 report?
The CHP 555 is the standardized Traffic Collision Report used by the California Highway Patrol when officers respond to a collision. It documents the parties, vehicles, location, damage, injuries, statements, a scene diagram, and the officer's determination of the primary collision factor.
How do I get a copy of my CHP 555 report?
You can request a copy through the CHP Crash Portal online at chp.ca.gov, by mailing a completed CHP 190 form to the CHP Area office that responded to your accident, or in person at that CHP Area office. You must qualify as a Party of Interest and pay the applicable fee.
How long does it take to get a CHP 555?
Completed reports typically arrive within 2 to 6 weeks of a request through the Crash Portal or by mail. Reports on open investigations (particularly serious injury or fatality cases) may not be released until the investigation is closed, which can take longer.
How much does a CHP 555 report cost?
Fees vary by CHP Area office. A typical fee is $10 for a standard report up to a certain page count. Contact the specific CHP Area office where the accident occurred, or check the Crash Portal, for the current fee before submitting.
What is a CHP 190 form?
The CHP 190 is the Collision Request form used to request a copy of your CHP 555 (or CHP 556) traffic collision report. You complete the form with the accident details, indicate your Party of Interest status, attach a photo ID and the applicable fee, and submit it by mail or in person to the CHP Area office. It can also be uploaded through the online Crash Portal.
Who can request a CHP 555 report?
Only a Party of Interest can request the report. This includes drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, passengers involved in the accident, parents or legal guardians of a minor involved, vehicle or property owners, legal representatives, manufacturer representatives, and insurance companies with a valid claim or policy number.
What is the difference between a CHP 555 and a local police report?
Both document a traffic collision from law enforcement's perspective. The difference is which agency responded. CHP creates a CHP 555 for accidents on state highways, freeways, and unincorporated areas. City police (LAPD, San Diego PD, Anaheim PD, and so on) or county sheriff's offices create their own reports for accidents in their jurisdictions.
Does the CHP 555 satisfy my SR-1 filing requirement?
No. Even if CHP created a CHP 555 for your accident, you still must file the DMV SR-1 form within 10 days under California Vehicle Code section 16000 if the accident involved injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. The SR-1 is a separate filing to a separate agency.
What does "Primary Collision Factor" mean on a CHP 555?
The Primary Collision Factor is the CHP officer's determination of the single most important act or omission that caused the collision. It is typically stated as a specific California Vehicle Code violation or as a general category. This determination heavily influences insurance evaluations of the case, even though it is not a legal finding of fault.
Can I change or correct the CHP 555 if it contains errors?
You can request a supplemental report to correct factual errors (name spelling, addresses, vehicle information, insurance details) by contacting the CHP Area office. Disputed conclusions about how the accident happened are rarely changed after filing, but you can submit a written statement that becomes part of the record, and independent evidence can rebut the officer's findings for insurance and litigation purposes.
Is the CHP 555 admissible in court?
The CHP 555 is generally admissible in court in California injury cases, though some portions (particularly the officer's conclusions about fault) may be subject to hearsay objections depending on the situation. In practice, juries usually see the CHP 555 or its key contents through witness testimony from the responding officer.
Do I need an attorney to get my CHP 555?
No. Any Party of Interest can request the report directly. However, if you have hired a personal injury attorney, we typically handle the request as part of case intake, which saves you time and ensures the report is reviewed properly against the rest of the case file.
We Get and Review the CHP 555 for Our Clients
If you were injured in a California accident that CHP investigated, requesting and understanding the CHP 555 is one of the first tasks in your claim, and getting it right matters. Cefali & Cefali requests the CHP 555 for our clients as part of every case, reviews it line by line, and builds our case strategy around what it says and what it does not say.
Michael Cefali is a dedicated accident attorney based in San Juan Capistrano, California, committed to securing justice and fair compensation for accident victims.
A graduate of Newport Harbor High School, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy, followed by his Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law.
Deeply invested in his community, Michael is an active member of the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributing to efforts that provide meals, housing, and support to those in need. Outside of his legal work and volunteer service, he enjoys fishing in Dana Point and spending time with his three rescue dogs—a Chihuahua, a Spaniel mix, and a Shepherd mix.
Driven by his strong belief in justice and fairness, Michael remains steadfast in advocating for individuals harmed by the negligence or inaction of others.
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