Get the Police Crash Report or a Detailed Accident Report in Maine: What to Expect and How to Request It

Overview

If police responded to a motor vehicle collision in Maine, a written crash report or an investigative file usually exists. You can and should request a copy for an insurance claim, injury treatment, or to protect your legal rights. This article explains where to look, how to ask, what types of reports exist, and why some materials may be withheld or redacted.

Types of reports you may encounter

• Basic crash/accident report: A standard form completed by the responding officer. It lists parties, vehicles, witnesses, a basic diagram, injuries, and a narrative summary.
• Supplemental reports: Follow-up notes from officers adding facts or corrections.
• Collision reconstruction or investigative reports: More detailed technical analyses prepared by crash reconstructionists or investigators. These can contain officer opinions, diagrams, measurements, and analysis.
• Photographs, CAD logs, and 911 calls: Supporting materials collected by law enforcement that may be part of the file.

Who holds the report and where to request it

Start by determining which agency investigated the collision:

• Local police department or sheriff’s office if the crash occurred in a town or county road.
• Maine State Police if they were called (interstate highways, serious crashes, or when local agency asked for assistance). See the Maine Department of Public Safety (Maine State Police) for contact and records information: https://www.maine.gov/dps/.

How to request a copy

1. Identify the incident: date, time, location (street or mile marker), names of drivers, and the responding agency.
2. Contact the agency’s Records or Records Release Unit. Many agencies have an online portal, an email address, or a records request form.
3. Provide your relationship to the crash (involved party, attorney, insurer, or other). Include a claim number if you have one.
4. Ask for specific items: the crash report, supplemental reports, reconstruction reports, photos, and CAD/dispatch logs.
5. Be prepared to pay a small fee for copies or certified copies. Ask about turnaround time.

When you can get the report

Basic crash reports are commonly available soon after the incident. More detailed investigative files or reconstruction reports may be withheld while an active investigation is open, or for court-related reasons. If you need the report quickly for an insurance claim, say so — insurers often have established channels to obtain copies.

Public records and exemptions under Maine law

Maine has public records laws that govern access to government records, including crash reports and investigative files. The State of Maine maintains information about public access policies and exemptions here: https://www.maine.gov/foaa/. If the law enforcement file contains active investigatory material or material required for ongoing prosecution, portions may be exempt from public disclosure. Agencies will generally release basic crash reports while reserving investigative analyses or evidence until the matter is closed or redacted.

What if the agency refuses or redacts part of the file

• Ask for a written explanation or statutory citation for the denial/redaction.
• If you are an involved party, point out your status and the purpose: insurance claim, treatment, or civil case. That sometimes helps secure broader access.
• Consider a formal Freedom of Access request under Maine’s public records laws, or appeal the denial through the agency’s appeal process.
• If you need withheld investigative material for a civil case, your attorney can file discovery requests or a motion to compel production in court once litigation begins.

Using the report for an insurance claim

Insurance companies will accept a copy from you or will obtain a copy directly from law enforcement. The report usually helps establish who was involved, basic facts, and whether citations were issued. Keep a copy of the report for your claim file and for medical providers if requested.

Sample request checklist (what to include when you contact records)

• Your full name and contact information
• Date, time, and location of the collision
• Names of drivers or vehicle plate numbers (if known)
• Your relationship to the crash (party, insurer, attorney)
• Specific items requested: police crash report, supplemental reports, reconstruction report, photos, CAD logs
• Request for estimated fees and turnaround time

Hypothetical example

Imagine you were rear-ended on I‑295 in Portland and an officer from the city police completed a crash report. To get the report you would:

1. Call Portland Police Records or visit their website to find the crash report request procedure.
2. Provide the crash date, location, and your name.
3. Request photos and any supplemental reports if you believe a reconstruction was done.
4. If the police decline to release reconstruction analysis because the investigation is open, note that on your insurance claim and ask your insurer to pursue the file through official channels.

When to consider an attorney

If you are having trouble getting necessary records, if important materials are withheld or redacted, or if you plan to bring a personal injury claim, consult a lawyer. An attorney can make formal records demands, request discovery in litigation, and advise whether withheld reconstruction work can be obtained through the courts.

Helpful hints

• Always get the crash report number and officer name when the officer leaves the scene.
• Ask for certified copies if you will use the report in court.
• Keep copies of photos you took at the scene; they complement the police file.
• If the responding agency is the Maine State Police, contact their Records/Crash Reports unit at the Department of Public Safety: https://www.maine.gov/dps/.
• Review Maine’s public access guidance before filing a formal request: https://www.maine.gov/foaa/.
• If an agency cites an exemption, ask for the exemption citation in writing so you can evaluate next steps.

Disclaimer: This is educational information about obtaining crash and investigative reports in Maine. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about a specific situation, contact a licensed attorney in Maine.