Getting the Official Crash Report and Detailed Accident Records After a Nebraska Crash
Short answer: You (and your insurer or attorney) can usually get the official police crash report for a Nebraska motor-vehicle collision from the agency that investigated the crash (Nebraska State Patrol, city police, or county sheriff). Supplemental narratives and investigative files may be partially public or withheld while an active criminal investigation is ongoing. If an agency will not release a report, you can request it under Nebraska public-records law or obtain it through subpoenas or civil discovery for a claim.
How to obtain the official crash report
- Identify the responding agency. The report is created by the law enforcement agency that responded (for example, Nebraska State Patrol, local police department, or county sheriff). If you are unsure, check your claim paperwork or ask your insurer — they often note which agency responded.
- Request from that agency. Most agencies publish instructions and provide copies online or by mail. The Nebraska State Patrol posts crash-report information and request instructions here: https://statepatrol.nebraska.gov/traffic/crash-reports. City and county agencies usually have similar pages with request forms and fee schedules.
- Provide the required information. Typical details needed: crash date, crash location (street or nearest intersection), names of drivers involved, report or case number (if available), and your relationship to the crash (involved party, insurer, attorney). Agencies may require ID or a signed authorization if the report contains restricted information.
- Pay any required fees and choose delivery method. Agencies commonly charge a small fee for copies and will offer emailed, mailed, or in-person pickup options. Time to delivery varies — many agencies post reports within a few days but can take longer.
What kinds of crash-related records exist?
- Standard crash report (uniform/summary form). Contains factual data (time, place, weather, vehicles, contributing factors, injuries, diagram). This is the report most insurers use.
- Officer narrative or supplemental reports. These may include the responding officer’s description, witness statements, and preliminary opinions (e.g., fault, citations). Agencies sometimes create separate supplements after follow-up.
- Investigative files and photographs. Serious-crash or fatality investigations may generate a larger file: scene photos, forensic reconstructions, 911 transcripts, dashcam/video, and interview notes.
When an agency will withhold or redact records
Nebraska’s public-records laws govern access to government records. Some materials may be withheld or redacted for privacy, ongoing criminal investigations, juvenile privacy, or other statutory exemptions. See Nebraska public-records law for general rules: Neb. Rev. Stat. ch. 84 (Public Records).
Examples of common restrictions:
- Records tied to an active criminal investigation may be withheld until the investigation is complete.
- Medical or sensitive personal data may be redacted.
- Juvenile-related records typically receive greater protection.
What to do if you can’t get a complete report
- Ask for a written reason. If the agency denies or redacts records, request a written explanation and the statutory basis for the withholding.
- File a public-records request. Use the agency’s public-records request procedure. If denied, you can appeal or seek review under Nebraska law (see Chapter 84 link above).
- Use discovery or a subpoena in a claim or lawsuit. If you are pursuing a civil claim, your attorney can request records through discovery or issue subpoenas for materials not released informally.
- Request assistance from your insurer. Insurers routinely obtain copies for claims and may help secure supplemental materials.
How crash reports help your insurance claim
- Crash reports provide factual details and officer observations that support your claim.
- Officer-noted contributing factors and citations can influence liability evaluations.
- Photos and diagrams help document damage, positions, and scene conditions.
Common timing and preservation tips
- Request the report soon after the crash. Agencies sometimes purge files or archive older items.
- Ask specifically for photos, diagrams, 911 recordings, and dashcam/video if available.
- Keep your own copies of photos, medical records, and witness contact info — these complement the official report.
Sample request checklist (what to include)
- Your full name and contact information
- Crash date and location
- Name(s) of involved drivers or vehicles (if known)
- Agency report or case number (if known)
- Relationship to the crash (involved party, insurance company, attorney)
- Preferred delivery method and willingness to pay copying fees
Helpful Hints
- Contact your insurance company right away. They often obtain the crash report and evidence for you.
- Contact the responding agency directly for the fastest copy — local police or county sheriff for city/county crashes; Nebraska State Patrol for crashes on state highways. See Nebraska State Patrol crash-report info: statepatrol.nebraska.gov/traffic/crash-reports.
- Save your own scene photos and witness contacts immediately; those items remain useful even if parts of the police file are withheld.
- If records are denied, ask the agency for the precise public-records exemption relied on and consider legal help to challenge an improper denial.
- When pursuing a claim, consider involving an attorney early if you expect difficulty getting records or if injuries or complicated liability exist.