Attorneys to get Easier Access to Accident Reports

A new state law now allows for attorneys representing clients involved in accidents to receive reports from insurance companies.

The Civil Justice Association of California, which was a sponsor of the bill, applauded Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for signing the law, saying that the move was a simple change that will allow settlements to proceed more quickly and will assist in reducing the number of cases in California’s courts.

“Our association commends Assemblyman Niello for authoring a bill that will, in these difficult economic times, help carve out a piece of lawsuit bureaucracy and facilitate settlements,” said association President John H. Sullivan.

Current law in the Insurance Code allows the insurance company to obtain and share a copy of the report with the insured person — but not the insured’s lawyer.