How to Get a Copy of Your Police Report After an Accident

The police report is one of the most important documents in your accident claim. Insurance companies rely on it to determine fault, assess damages, and decide how much to pay. Your lawyer uses it to build your case. Getting a copy should be one of the first things you do after an accident.

Here's how to get it, what it costs, what to look for inside, and what to do if it contains errors.

When Is the Report Available?

Police reports are typically available 3–10 business days after the accident. The timeline depends on:

• The police department's workload
• Whether the accident involved injuries or fatalities (more complex = longer)
• Whether the accident is still under investigation
• The department's processing and digitization speed

The officer at the scene should give you a report number (also called an incident number or case number). Write this down — you'll need it to request the report.

3 Ways to Get Your Report

1. Online (Fastest)

Many police departments now offer online report portals where you can search by report number, date, or your name.

Common online report services:

• LexisNexis Accident Reports: lexisnexis.com/en-us/risk/auto-claims/consumer-disclosure.page — covers thousands of jurisdictions
• BuyCrash.com: buycrash.com — many state and local departments use this system
• Your state DOT or highway patrol website — most state police agencies have online report ordering

Search for "[your city] police accident report online" to find your specific department's portal.

2. In Person

Visit the police department that responded to your accident. Bring:

• Your photo ID (driver's license)
• The report number (if you have it)
• The date, time, and location of the accident (if you don't have the report number)

Ask for the records department or front desk. Processing usually takes 15–30 minutes. Some departments give you the report on the spot; others mail it.

3. By Mail

Write a letter to the police department's records division including:

• Your full name and contact information
• The report number
• Date and location of the accident
• A copy of your driver's license
• The fee (check or money order — call the department first for the amount)
• A self-addressed stamped envelope

Mail processing typically takes 2–4 weeks.

What Does It Cost?

| Method | Typical Cost | |---|---| | Online | $5–$20 | | In person | $5–$25 | | By mail | $5–$25 plus postage |

Some jurisdictions provide the first copy free to parties involved in the accident. Ask when you request it.

What's in the Police Report

A typical accident report contains:

Basic Information

• Date, time, and location of the accident
• Weather and road conditions
• Names, addresses, and contact info for all drivers and passengers
• Insurance information for all parties
• Vehicle descriptions (make, model, year, license plate)

The Officer's Findings

• Narrative: the officer's written description of what happened based on their investigation, driver statements, and witness interviews
• Diagram: a hand-drawn or computer-generated diagram showing vehicle positions, direction of travel, and point of impact
• Contributing factors: speed, distraction, failure to yield, DUI, running a red light, etc.
• Citations issued: if any driver was cited for a traffic violation, this is recorded

Witness Information

• Names and contact information for witnesses who spoke to the officer
• Summaries of witness statements

Injury Information

• Whether injuries were reported
• Whether anyone was transported by ambulance
• Which hospital they were taken to

What to Look For

When you get your report, review it carefully for:

Who was cited? If the other driver received a traffic citation (running a red light, failure to yield, DUI), this strongly supports your claim. A citation isn't a formal finding of fault, but insurance companies and juries treat it as powerful evidence.

The officer's narrative. Does it accurately describe what happened from your perspective? Does the narrative favor one driver over another?

Contributing factors. Did the officer note distracted driving, speeding, or impairment? These factors strengthen your case if they apply to the other driver.

Your statements. Check what the report says you told the officer at the scene. If you said something under stress that doesn't accurately reflect what happened, note the discrepancy for your lawyer.

Accuracy of basic facts. Verify that names, addresses, vehicle descriptions, and insurance information are correct. Errors in basic facts can cause delays with insurance.

What If the Report Has Errors?

Errors are more common than you'd think — officers write reports from handwritten notes hours after the accident, sometimes after handling multiple calls that shift.

Factual errors (wrong street name, incorrect vehicle color, misspelled name): Contact the police department's records division and request a correction. Most departments have a formal amendment process. Bring supporting evidence (your photos, the other driver's insurance card).

Narrative disagreements (you disagree with how the officer described the accident): You generally cannot change the officer's narrative or opinion. However, you can submit a supplemental statement that is attached to the report. Your lawyer can help draft this.

Missing information (a witness was at the scene but not listed): Contact the records division and provide the witness's information for inclusion in a supplemental report.

What If There Is No Police Report?

In some situations — very minor accidents, non-response from police, or accidents on private property — there may be no police report. This doesn't mean you can't file a claim, but it does mean:

• Your own documentation (photos, witness statements) becomes even more critical
• You can file a self-report at the nearest police station
• Some states require you to file a state DMV accident report within a certain number of days for accidents above a damage threshold

Next Steps

Once you have your police report, share it with your lawyer as part of your case evaluation. The report, combined with your medical records, photos, and other evidence, forms the foundation of your claim.

Don't have a lawyer yet? Get a free case evaluation — our AI reviews your case in 2 minutes and matches you with an experienced injury lawyer. No fees unless you win.