Detailed Answer

Short answer: Yes — in Massachusetts you can generally obtain a copy of the official crash (police) report and other records related to an accident, but how you get them, what is included, and how quickly you receive them depends on which agency investigated the crash, whether the report is part of an ongoing criminal investigation, and what other materials (bodycam, dashcam, officer notes, 911/audio, CAD logs) you request.

Disclaimer: This information is educational only and is not legal advice. If you need legal advice for your specific situation, contact a qualified Massachusetts attorney.

What are the different reports and records?

• Police crash report (officer’s report): The written report created by the responding police agency. It typically lists parties, vehicles, witnesses, a short narrative, diagram, and usually a crash-report number. This is the most commonly requested document for claims.
• Operator’s report to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV): In certain situations drivers must report accidents to the RMV/insurer — the RMV maintains crash data and reporting requirements. See the RMV for details: Massachusetts RMV.
• Raw materials and multimedia: Officer notes, body-worn camera and dashcam video, in-car audio, photographs, 911 call recordings, and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) logs. These are not always included in the written crash report and often must be requested separately.
• Accident reconstruction reports: These come from specialists (private or sometimes a police collision analysis unit). They are separate from the standard police crash report and may be available only if one was prepared.

How to request a copy (step-by-step)

1. Identify the responding agency. The crash report is held by the police department or Massachusetts State Police troop that handled the scene. If you are unsure, check any paperwork you received at the scene or ask your insurer which agency filed the report.
2. Contact the records division. Call or visit the police department’s records unit or the State Police Records Unit. Many departments publish instructions for obtaining accident reports online. Mass.gov has a basic guide: How to get a police accident report.
3. Provide key info. Give the report number (if you have it), date/time/location of the crash, and names of parties or vehicles involved. Be ready to show ID and your role in the crash (driver, passenger, owner, insurer representative, attorney).
4. Pay any fee. Departments commonly charge a small fee for printed copies or certified copies. Online portals (if available) may have card payments.
5. Request additional records separately. Ask specifically for officer notes, photos, dashcam/bodycam footage, 911 recordings, and CAD logs. These often require a formal public records request and may have separate costs or processing times.
6. Follow up if you don’t receive the report. If the department says the report is pending (common if a crash involves serious injury or death), check back periodically. If necessary, submit a written public records request under Massachusetts public records procedures (see below).

Timing and when a report may be withheld

Police reports involving serious injury, death, ongoing criminal investigations, or unsolved hit-and-runs may be placed on hold while detectives investigate. Departments generally release finished reports once they clear active investigative needs. Expect simple reports to be available within days to a few weeks. Requests for multimedia or underlying notes often take longer.

Public records requests and appeals

Crash reports and many related materials are public records in Massachusetts. If a department refuses or delays producing a record you believe is public, you can file a written public records request with the department. For general guidance on public records procedures, see Mass.gov’s public records information: Public records (Massachusetts).

If an agency denies access, you may seek review or guidance from the Supervisor of Records at the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The Secretary’s office handles appeals and provides direction on exemptions and redactions.

What can be redacted or withheld?

• Information that would compromise an ongoing criminal investigation.
• Personal data protected by state privacy or safety rules (in limited situations).
• Law enforcement personnel information where disclosure would create safety or privacy concerns.

Using the report for an insurance claim or lawsuit

Insurers commonly use the police report as evidence of the facts known to the responding officer (statements, diagram, cited violations). However, a police report is not an automatic determination of legal fault for civil claims. Insurance companies will combine the report with witness statements, photos, repair estimates, medical bills, and other evidence.

If you plan to sue or defend a claim and need more detailed materials (officer notes, raw video, scene measurements), you can request them directly or obtain them through discovery once litigation starts. If access is limited, counsel can file motions or subpoenas to obtain protected items when appropriate.

If the report contains inaccurate information

1. Contact the issuing agency’s records division and explain the error. Ask how to file an amendment request or supplementary statement.
2. Provide proof of the correct facts (photos, witness statements, repair bills, medical records) to support the requested correction.
3. If the agency refuses to correct a factual error that matters to a claim, preserve evidence, notify your insurer, and consider speaking with an attorney about steps to challenge the inaccuracy during claims handling or litigation.

When you’ll need something more than the police report

The standard crash report is often enough for an ordinary insurance claim. Consider additional steps if:

• Serious injuries or disputed fault exist — get medical records, an independent reconstruction, or an attorney.
• Dashcam/bodycam video likely shows key evidence — request it early because agencies sometimes retain footage for limited periods.
• Witnesses or detailed scene measurement are crucial — collect witness contact information quickly and preserve scene photos.

Where to go for help

• Contact the police records division that handled your crash (local police or Massachusetts State Police). Many local departments publish instructions on Mass.gov or their own websites.
• For RMV reporting requirements and guidance: Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
• For public-records procedure and appeals: see Mass.gov’s public records pages and the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s resources on public records.
• If you have legal questions about obtaining evidence for a claim, consider consulting a Massachusetts attorney experienced in motor vehicle claims.

Helpful Hints

• Act quickly. Request multimedia (dashcam, bodycam, 911 audio) as soon as possible — agencies may record over or dispose of these materials after set retention periods.
• Get the crash report number at the scene if possible. That number speeds up requests for copies.
• Keep a file with photos, medical records, repair estimates, witness contact information, and any correspondence with the police or insurer.
• When calling a records office, ask specifically whether officer notes, photos, and video are available and whether they require a written public records request.
• Expect fees for copies and certified copies; have a credit card or check ready if the department accepts payment online or in person.
• If a department delays or refuses release, submit a written public records request and, if denied, ask about the appeal process through the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office.
• Remember: A police report helps your claim, but it does not replace medical documentation or independent evidence. Preserve all precursory evidence by taking photos and collecting witness information at the scene.
• If the crash is complex (serious injury, disputed facts), an attorney can advise on subpoenas, accident reconstruction, and strategies to obtain otherwise withheld records.

For practical next steps: identify the investigating agency, call or visit its records unit, request the report number and a copy, and ask what additional materials exist and how to request them. If you run into difficulty, the public records process and the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s public records resources can guide your appeal.