Are Accident Reports Public Record?

Accident reports are essential reports that are typically created after a public or private accident, and most typically after car accidents. This piece of documentation can be incredibly helpful when it comes to documenting an accident you were involved in or witnessed, and you may even need a copy of an accident report to take advantage of certain compensation benefits or insurance payouts. Our article tells you more about accident reports and whether or not these documents are considered public record.

What Is an Accident Report?

An accident report is any formal document that details an incident. These documents establish the facts of the case, list witnesses, and overall serve as a report that an incident occurred. In general, accident reports are collected when a vehicle collision occurs, but they could also be created after a workplace accident or due to an injury or accident in any public or private area.

Most of the time, a police officer will create an accident report, but these reports could also be created by managers in the workplace or individuals in charge of overseeing a public or private space.

How Do I File an Accident Report?

Accident reports are not filed. Rather, they are created by law enforcement officials or another authority figure following an accident. For example, if you had a minor car accident and no one was injured, you may call the non-emergency police phone number in your county or state and request that an officer is present to document that accident and create a report.

If you call the police after an accident, injury, break-in, or other incident, they will document the incident in an accident report and tell you how you can obtain a copy of your accident report.

Are Accident Reports Public Record?

Accident reports are considered public record, though there are restrictions on who can access these reports and when they can be accessed. Typically, only the individuals named in the accident report can access it, in addition to their direct family members, law enforcement officers, and legal professionals working on behalf of the individuals in the accident.

It’s important to check with state law to see who may access your report and whether or not there are any time limits on this access. When states list accident reports as totally available to any member of the public, they may be accessed at any time through the county police department or through a public records website.

How Do I Access My Own Accident Report?

If you were recently involved in an accident where an accident report was created, you may be wondering how to access this documentation for your own records and for insurance purposes. Your method for accessing this document can vary depending on your county and state, but, in general, you will be able to request the accident report from the police office in the jurisdiction where the accident occurred.

Most counties and police offices will allow you to request your own accident report at any time through the mail, online, or in person. Research your county’s policies for more situation-specific information.

Do I Need to Pay to Access Accident Reports?

You will usually need to pay a minimal fee to access copies of your accident report, especially if you are requesting multiple copies of the report. If you are trying to access someone else’s accident report, you will also need to pay a fee.

Fortunately, most fees are minimal, and you can expect to pay less than $10, usually around $3.00, for a copy of an accident report in your county.

Searching Public Record for Accident Reports

Accident reports are considered public records, but there may be access restrictions in your county that can make it a little more challenging to access this report. You should take the time to look at the access rules and restrictions in your county, and make sure that you ask law enforcement about how to access an accident report regarding an accident you may have been involved in.

You might also be able to access certain accident reports using public record search tools.