As of January 1, new California laws regulating artificial intelligence (AI) are taking effect. These laws impact technology, health care, workplaces, and government transparency—and they have direct consequences for personal injury cases in San Diego, California.

For victims, one issue is especially important: the use of AI in police reports and the requirement that AI involvement be disclosed. Police reports provide critical information in nearly every personal injury claim. When AI tools are used without transparency, the accuracy and reliability of that information may be affected.

Why Police Reports Matter in San Diego Personal Injury Claims

In California personal injury cases, police reports are often relied upon by:

• Insurance companies evaluating fault
• Personal injury attorneys building liability arguments
• Judges and juries assessing credibility
• Crash reconstruction experts

A police report may influence whether an injured person receives full compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Future medical care

Because of their importance, how police reports are created—and whether AI played a role—matters significantly.

California AI Law: AB 489 (Bonta)

Assembly Bill 489 (AB 489), authored by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, prohibits AI systems and chatbots from presenting themselves as licensed professionals, including doctors, nurses, and attorneys.

The purpose of AB 489 is to:

• Increase transparency in AI use
• Prevent misrepresentation by automated systems
• Protect the public from relying on AI as a substitute for licensed judgment
  
  

While the statute focuses on consumer-facing AI, its underlying principle—disclosure and accountability—is highly relevant to law enforcement records, including police reports.

AI Use in Police Reports and Law Enforcement

Modern law enforcement agencies may use AI-assisted tools to:

• Draft or auto-complete police report narratives

• Analyze crash data or vehicle telemetry

• Summarize body camera footage

• Assist with accident reconstruction or diagrams
  
  

If AI contributes to any part of a police report, failure to disclose that use can raise serious legal concerns.

Why AI Disclosure Is Critical in Personal Injury Cases

1. Accuracy and Reliability of Information

AI-generated or AI-assisted content may rely on:

• • Incomplete data inputs

  • Pre-programmed assumptions

  • Statistical probabilities rather than firsthand observations

Without disclosure, injured parties may assume a police report reflects only an officer’s independent judgment.

2. Insurance and Liability Decisions

Insurance adjusters frequently rely on police reports to deny or reduce claims. If an AI tool influenced fault determinations, speed calculations, or causation analysis, that information must be evaluated carefully.

3. Litigation and Trial Strategy

From a legal standpoint, undisclosed AI use affects:

• • Discovery requests

  • Cross-examination of officers

  • Expert witness testimony

  • Challenges to admissibility or evidentiary weight

Knowing whether AI was used allows a San Diego personal injury lawyer to properly challenge conclusions that may otherwise appear authoritative.

How AI Transparency Protects San Diego Injury Victims

Transparency in AI use helps ensure:

• Fair insurance evaluations

• Accurate fault determinations

• Accountability in government records

• Equal footing for injured individuals

California’s AI laws reflect a broader effort to ensure that technology does not override human responsibility—especially when legal rights are at stake.

How Nahama Law Helps San Diego Personal Injury Clients

At Nahama Law, we understand how critical police reports are in personal injury cases. Our firm carefully reviews police reports for:

• Errors or inconsistencies

• Overly templated or automated language

• Unsupported conclusions regarding fault

• Signs that AI tools may have been used without disclosure

When necessary, we pursue additional investigation to protect our clients and ensure that liability determinations are based on verifiable facts—not undisclosed algorithms.

Speak With a San Diego Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were in a car crash, injured as a pedestrian, involved in a motorcycle crash, or other personal injury incident in San Diego, California, the details in the police report can make or break your case.

With new AI laws taking effect, understanding how technology may have influenced your police report is more important than ever.

Contact Nahama Law today to speak with a San Diego personal injury attorney and learn how we can protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.