How to Get a Copy of Your Missouri Crash Report or a More Detailed Accident Report

Short answer: Yes — in Missouri most police crash reports are public records and you can obtain a copy. Which report you get, how quickly you get it, and whether parts are redacted depend on the agency that investigated the crash and whether any records are exempt under Missouri’s public‑records law. This article explains where to request reports, what types of records you can ask for, how to request supplemental materials (photos, diagrams, video), and practical tips to support an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Disclaimer

This is general information and not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. If you need advice about a particular case or about using records in a claim, consult a licensed attorney.

Detailed answer — what to expect and how to get it

1. Identify the investigating agency

Start by identifying who investigated the crash. Common investigators in Missouri are:

• City police department or municipal police (crashes inside city limits).
• County sheriff’s office (crashes in unincorporated areas).
• Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) (crashes on state highways or when MSHP was the primary responder).

The investigating agency’s records division or records custodian maintains the crash report and related materials.

2. What records you can request

Common items you can request include:

• The uniform crash report / collision report completed by the responding officer (often a one‑ to two‑page summary with diagram, contributing factors, and unit info).
• Supplemental reports or follow‑up reports prepared later.
• Crash scene photos and diagrams.
• Tow records, witness statements taken by the agency, and citations issued.
• Dash‑cam, body‑cam, or traffic‑camera video, if the agency retains it.

Note: Some investigative notes or unfiled drafts may be exempt from disclosure if they are part of an active investigation or fall under other statutory exemptions.

3. Public‑records law in Missouri

Missouri’s public‑records law makes many government records available for inspection and copying. Agencies must respond to public‑records requests and may withhold or redact information only under specific exceptions set by law. For the public‑records statute, see Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 610: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=610.

4. How to request the crash report — step by step

1. Get basic identifying information: date and approximate time of crash, precise location (street or mile marker), names of drivers involved, and the agency case or report number if you have it.
2. Contact the records division of the investigating agency. Many agencies list records request instructions and fees on their websites. For state highway crashes, start at the Missouri State Highway Patrol site: https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/.
3. Submit a written request if required. Include the incident details and specify exactly which items you want (e.g., “Crash report, photos, and any dash‑cam footage”). Ask whether the copy can be certified and whether there are fees.
4. Pay any copying or retrieval fees. Agencies commonly charge for copies and for time spent retrieving records. Fees must generally be reasonable.
5. If the agency denies part or all of your request, ask for a written explanation and the records custodian’s name and contact information. You can appeal denials under the public‑records process or consult an attorney about next steps.

5. What if you want more than the basic crash report?

If you need more detail than the one‑page crash form provides — for example, witness statements, officer notes, high‑resolution photos, or video — specifically request those items. Agencies may withhold certain investigative materials; however, many items such as photographs or recorded statements become public once they are filed unless a statute or court order makes them exempt. If the agency refuses to release particular materials, an attorney can help by requesting the records formally, negotiating with the agency, or, if litigation exists, using a subpoena to compel production.

6. Copies from other sources

You can also obtain useful documents from:

• Your insurance company — ask for any claim notes, photos, or accident reports they collected.
• Other parties — you may ask the at‑fault driver or their insurer for their statement or photos.
• Private vendors — some companies sell unredacted crash reports and data, but verify legality and accuracy before relying on them.

7. How crash reports help (and their limits)

Crash reports help claims because they document officer observations, diagram positions, vehicle damage, safety equipment use, and whether a citation issued. But crash reports are not final legal determinations of fault. Courts and insurers weigh multiple sources of evidence. Treat the report as an important but not definitive piece of proof.

8. What to do if you cannot get records or the agency delays

If an agency fails to respond or denies access improperly under Chapter 610, you can:

• File an administrative appeal with the agency, if available.
• Request assistance from the agency’s records custodian or legal counsel.
• Consult an attorney about filing a lawsuit or obtaining a subpoena in pending litigation to compel production.

Helpful Hints

• Request the report quickly. Agencies may retain video or dash‑cam footage only for a limited time.
• Collect identifying information at the scene: officer name and badge number, report number, and responding unit. That speeds retrieval.
• Ask for a certified copy if you need the report for court or formal claims — certified copies carry an official stamp and are often accepted by insurers and courts.
• Be specific in your request: name files (crash report, supplements, photos, video) and include date/time/location to avoid delays and additional fees for broad searches.
• Expect redactions of personal information (e.g., Social Security numbers) or, in rare cases, withheld investigative material. Ask for a written denial explaining any exemptions claimed.
• If you face resistance, consider reaching out to the Missouri State Highway Patrol for state highway crashes or the city/county legal office for local crashes before consulting an attorney.
• Preserve your own evidence: take photos, write down witness names and contact info, and record your recollection while it’s fresh.
• Keep communications professional and document your requests (save emails, obtain receipts for fees, and note the date of each contact).
• If you plan to sue or already have a case, your attorney can issue subpoenas to compel production of otherwise withheld materials.

Where to start right now

1. Identify the investigating agency (city police, county sheriff, or MSHP).
2. Visit the agency’s website or call their records division for instructions and fees.
3. Submit a written request with incident details and ask about supplemental materials (photos, video, witness statements).

Useful link: Missouri public‑records law — Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 610: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=610

If you need help drafting a records request, locating the correct office, or understanding a denial, consider consulting an attorney experienced in Missouri accident and records law.