Detailed answer — what you need to know under Kansas law

In Kansas, crash reports prepared by law-enforcement agencies are generally public records. The Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) controls access to public records. KORA sets the basic rule that public records must be available on request, but it also lists exceptions for certain law-enforcement or investigatory records. See K.S.A. 45-215 et seq. for the full law and K.S.A. 45-221 for specific exemptions: Kansas Open Records Act (statutes).

1. Who keeps the crash report?

The agency that responded to the crash maintains the official accident report. This may be:

• a city police department,
• the county sheriff’s office, or
• the Kansas Highway Patrol (or another state agency) if they investigated the crash.

2. How to request the standard crash report

1. Identify the investigating agency (look at the report number your insurer gave you, or contact local police/sheriff/KHP).
2. Contact that agency’s records or public information office and ask for a copy of the crash report. Many agencies accept in-person, mail, email, or online requests.
3. Provide basic information: crash date, location, names of drivers (if known), and report number (if available).
4. Pay any reasonable reproduction fees the agency charges. Agencies commonly charge a per-page fee or flat fee for certified copies.

3. Typical timeline and fees

Under KORA, agencies must respond to record requests within the time frames the Act requires (review KORA for details). Many agencies will provide a routine crash report within days to a few weeks, depending on workload. Fees vary by agency; ask in advance for an estimate.

4. What the standard crash report includes

Standard crash reports usually include:

• date, time, and location of the crash;
• names and contact info for drivers and owners (sometimes redacted for privacy);
• vehicle and insurance information;
• basic narrative or diagram prepared by the responding officer;
• citations issued, if any.

5. How to get a more detailed or investigatory report

“More detailed” records may include the officer’s field notes, interviews, photographs, dash-cam or body-cam video, and full investigative files. These records are treated differently under KORA. Law-enforcement investigative records or information that could interfere with an ongoing investigation or reveal personal information may be exempt from public disclosure. See K.S.A. 45-221 for exemptions. If an agency denies a request, they must cite the exemption.

If you need investigatory material for an insurance claim or lawsuit, options include:

• Request the records formally under KORA. If denied, the agency should identify the exemption and whether any non-exempt portions can be released.
• Ask the agency whether video or photos exist and whether they will release them in whole or redacted form.
• Ask your insurer to request the file. Insurers often get more cooperative responses because they are known claimants.
• If you are pursuing litigation, obtain the records through discovery (subpoena or court-ordered production). Courts can order release of withheld records when appropriate.
• Hire an attorney to make formal demands or to challenge a denial in court. An attorney can move to compel release if the agency improperly withholds records.

6. Privacy and redactions

Even when records are released, agencies may redact personal data (Social Security numbers, medical identifiers, certain witness identities) to comply with privacy laws. Agencies must balance public access with privacy and safety interests.

7. If the agency refuses or delays

If your request is denied or delayed, you can:

• Ask for a written denial citing the legal basis (the specific KORA exemption).
• File an appeal or request review as set out in KORA, or consider a freedom-of-information lawsuit to compel release.
• Talk with an attorney about whether litigation or a subpoena is appropriate for your claim.

8. Helpful official resources

• Kansas Open Records Act (statutes): https://www.kslegislature.org/
• Kansas Highway Patrol or local police/sheriff web pages — check the investigating agency’s website for crash report request procedures and forms.

Bottom line: You can almost always obtain the basic crash report from the responding agency. Getting full investigative files, videos, or unredacted records is harder. If those materials matter to your claim, ask the agency what they will release, involve your insurer, and consider asking an attorney to obtain records through litigation or subpoena when the agency refuses.

Helpful Hints

• Request the crash report as soon as possible. Evidence (photos, video) can be preserved more easily early in a claim.
• Record the report number and the name of the person you contact at the agency.
• Provide specific identifiers: crash date, time, location, and names. That speeds retrieval.
• Ask whether dash-cam/body-cam footage, officer notes, or photos exist and whether they will release them or require a formal request.
• If an agency cites a KORA exemption, ask if any portion of the file can be produced after redaction.
• If you plan to sue, discuss discovery with an attorney — courts can compel release of records withheld under KORA.
• Use your insurance company’s request channels. Insurers often get routine copies quickly.
• Keep copies of every request and any written agency responses; these can be important evidence if you must compel production later.