How do I get a copy of a car accident report?

Request it from the police department that responded or your state DMV, depending on the state. Many offer online, mail, or in-person access, often for a small fee, and you'll typically need the report number, crash date, and parties involved. Some states route all crash reports through a central state portal rather than the local department.

How long does it take to get a police report after a car accident?

Most reports become available within several days to a couple of weeks once the officer files them. Minor-damage reports come faster; crashes with injuries, disputed fault, or an open investigation can take several weeks or longer. Timelines vary widely by agency. Some states publish reports through a central portal weeks after the crash.

Why is a car accident report important for my claim?

It's the authoritative, independent account of the collision (who was involved, what happened, the officer's diagram, and any citations) which heavily influences how insurers assign fault. For any claim beyond minor damage, the report is central evidence, so obtaining it and keeping your own copy protects your position.

What information is in a car accident report?

It records the date and location, the drivers and vehicles involved (with plates or VINs), insurance details, any injuries, citations issued, and the officer's diagram and narrative of how the crash occurred. The report number is the key field for retrieving it and referencing it on insurance claims or in legal proceedings.

How long should I keep a car accident report?

Keep it until the claim closes and the statute of limitations passes, commonly two to six years depending on your state, and longer if injuries are involved. Auto and injury claims can take years and sometimes reopen, and the report is the definitive record of fault, so retaining it preserves your evidence throughout that window.

Legal

Car Accident Report

A car accident report (traffic crash report) is the official document police complete after a vehicle collision. It records the date, location, drivers and vehicles involved, insurance information, a diagram and narrative of the crash, and any citations issued. Insurers and courts rely on it to assign fault and process claims.

California allows two years to file a personal injury lawsuit and three years for property damage after a crash, one example of why crash reports should be kept for years, not months.

Source: FindLaw: Time Limits to Bring a Case: The Statute of Limitations

Written & maintained by the Granite team · Last updated September 2026

Overview

A responding officer files a crash report, identified by a report number used to retrieve it. It captures the facts of the collision (who, where, how) plus the officer's diagram and any citations, which heavily influence how insurers assign fault.

For any claim beyond minor damage, the crash report is central evidence. Getting a copy means requesting it from the police department or state DMV. Most reports are available within several days to a few weeks, longer when injuries or a disputed investigation are involved. Keeping it, along with photos and the other driver's details, protects your claim and any later dispute.

When you’ll get your Car Accident Report

You were in a vehicle collision police responded to
You're filing an auto insurance claim for the crash
You need to document fault or damages
An injury claim or lawsuit arises from the accident
You're disputing a citation or the insurer's fault determination

What’s on your Car Accident Report

These are the fields you’ll find on one, and what each one tells you.

Report Number: The agency's identifier for retrieving and referencing the crash report.
Crash Date & Location: When and where the collision occurred.
Drivers & Vehicles: The parties, their vehicles, and VINs or plates involved.
Insurance Information: The insurers and policy details of those involved.
Citations: Any tickets issued, which influence fault.
Diagram & Narrative: The officer's depiction and account of how the crash happened.

How long to keep it

6 years

Keep for 6 years from the date of the accident

Auto claims and injury suits can take years and reopen, and the crash report is the authoritative account of fault. Keeping it with your photos and the other party's details preserves your evidence for the full window in which a claim or dispute can arise.

Figure out your exact shred date

Enter the date of the accident and we'll do the math.

This is general guidance, not legal advice.

How Granite handles your Car Accident Report

Granite reads a car accident report (report number, date, location, drivers, insurance, and citations) and files it with your vehicle and insurance documents. The report number insurers and attorneys ask for is captured and searchable, so when a claim drags on or an injury suit surfaces later, the full account of the crash is one search away.

FAQ

Car Accident Report: common questions

How do I get a copy of a car accident report?: Request it from the police department that responded or your state DMV, depending on the state. Many offer online, mail, or in-person access, often for a small fee, and you'll typically need the report number, crash date, and parties involved. Some states route all crash reports through a central state portal rather than the local department.
How long does it take to get a police report after a car accident?: Most reports become available within several days to a couple of weeks once the officer files them. Minor-damage reports come faster; crashes with injuries, disputed fault, or an open investigation can take several weeks or longer. Timelines vary widely by agency. Some states publish reports through a central portal weeks after the crash.
Why is a car accident report important for my claim?: It's the authoritative, independent account of the collision (who was involved, what happened, the officer's diagram, and any citations) which heavily influences how insurers assign fault. For any claim beyond minor damage, the report is central evidence, so obtaining it and keeping your own copy protects your position.
What information is in a car accident report?: It records the date and location, the drivers and vehicles involved (with plates or VINs), insurance details, any injuries, citations issued, and the officer's diagram and narrative of how the crash occurred. The report number is the key field for retrieving it and referencing it on insurance claims or in legal proceedings.
How long should I keep a car accident report?: Keep it until the claim closes and the statute of limitations passes, commonly two to six years depending on your state, and longer if injuries are involved. Auto and injury claims can take years and sometimes reopen, and the report is the definitive record of fault, so retaining it preserves your evidence throughout that window.

Sources

This page is checked against primary and authoritative sources:

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