Detailed Answer

If you were involved in a motor vehicle crash in Utah, you can usually obtain a copy of the police crash report that documents the basic facts of the collision. Crash reports are treated as public records under the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), but some parts of a record may be redacted or withheld for privacy or investigative reasons.

Key points you need to know:

• Who has access: Generally anyone can request a copy of a crash report. If you were involved in the crash, you almost always have the right to receive the report. Your insurance company may also request a copy directly if you authorize it.
• Which office to contact: The law enforcement agency that responded to or investigated the crash (city police, county sheriff, or the Utah Highway Patrol) normally prepares and distributes the report. For statewide information and common forms see the Utah Highway Patrol or Utah Department of Public Safety pages: https://highwaypatrol.utah.gov/ and https://dps.utah.gov/.
• What’s in a basic crash report: Typical contents include date, time, and location of the crash; driver and vehicle information; narrative descriptions; contributing factors; diagram; and officer contact information. The report is intended to summarize observable facts at the scene.
• More detailed investigative records: Photographs, recorded witness statements, officer notes, forensic analysis, and other investigatory materials may be part of an investigative file that the agency maintains in addition to the standardized crash report. Those materials may be handled differently under GRAMA and could be withheld or redacted if disclosure would interfere with an ongoing investigation, invade privacy, or reveal confidential techniques.
• Legal basis for public access and limits: Access to public records in Utah is governed by GRAMA (Utah Code Title 63G, Chapter 2). GRAMA establishes public access rules, fee allowances, and categories of records that may be restricted or private. See the GRAMA chapter here: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title63G/Chapter2/63G-2.html.

Typical process to get a copy

1. Identify the investigating agency. Check the crash report number if you have one or note the date, time, and location of the collision so the agency can find the file.
2. Contact the agency’s records division or online portal. Many agencies allow online requests, phone requests, mail-in requests, or in-person pick-up. Example: contact your city or county police records unit or the Utah Highway Patrol: https://highwaypatrol.utah.gov/.
3. Provide requested information. Typical request data: names of involved parties, date/time/location of crash, crash report number (if known), and a copy of your ID if required.
4. Pay any statutory fee. Agencies may charge a copying or processing fee (GRAMA allows reasonable fees). Ask about exact cost before you submit payment.
5. Receive the report. You’ll usually get the standard crash report; responses may be immediate (if available online) or take a few days to weeks depending on the agency’s processing time and whether records must be redacted.

When an agency may deny or redact records

Under GRAMA an agency may withhold or redact records that are private, protected, or that would interfere with an active investigation. Examples include:

• Medical or health information and treatment details;
• Financial account numbers or other highly sensitive personal data;
• Certain witness identities or unrecorded witness statements when disclosure would jeopardize an investigation;
• Ongoing criminal investigative material where disclosure would reasonably interfere with the investigation.

For discussion of GRAMA exemptions and procedures, see: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title63G/Chapter2/63G-2.html.

What to do if you need more than the basic report for a claim

If you need photos, statements, or other supporting material for an insurance claim or lawsuit, you should:

• Ask the investigating agency for the additional items by name (e.g., scene photos, CAD/dispatch logs, officer notes). Be specific so the agency can locate the material;
• If the agency denies access to particular items, request the statutory basis for the denial and whether a redacted version can be provided;
• If denial is based on an ongoing criminal investigation, explain your need and ask whether your insurer can obtain the material via an authorized release or subpoena as part of litigation;
• Consult your insurance adjuster early—insurers commonly have processes for requesting records and can sometimes obtain materials faster; you can also sign a release to allow the insurer to request records on your behalf;
• If you are pursuing litigation, your attorney can issue subpoenas or discovery requests to obtain investigative materials that aren’t voluntarily released by the agency.

Appeals and complaints

If an agency denies your public records request or withholds records, GRAMA provides an internal appeal process. The agency must give you the statutory reason for denial and information about how to appeal. You may also request review by the state records officer. See GRAMA for details: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title63G/Chapter2/63G-2.html.

Timeframe: Response times vary. Some agencies respond the same day; others take longer—especially if records require redaction or review. Ask the records office for an estimated completion time when you submit your request.

Helpful Hints

• Collect the basics before you call: exact crash date, time, location, names of drivers, and crash report number (if available).
• Contact the law enforcement agency that handled the crash first—municipal police, county sheriff, or Utah Highway Patrol. Use the agency’s records division or website to submit a formal request.
• Ask whether the agency posts crash reports online or uses an electronic request system to speed delivery.
• If you are represented by an attorney, let the records office know. Attorneys can use subpoenas or discovery to obtain materials later in a claim or lawsuit.
• If you need photos or witness statements, request those specifically—don’t assume they automatically come with the standard report.
• If an insurer requests records, sign a release so the agency can communicate freely with your insurer.
• Keep copies of everything you get. Screenshots or paper copies help protect against later loss or dispute.
• If you receive a denial, ask for the specific GRAMA exemption relied on and the appeal instructions; consider contacting the agency’s records officer or a lawyer if needed.