Detailed Answer — How to obtain crash reports and more detailed accident records in Oregon
Short answer: In Oregon you can obtain the basic traffic crash report (the police/OSP crash report) from the law enforcement agency that investigated the collision. Many crash reports are public records under Oregon’s public records law, but some investigative materials (officer notes, witness statements, internal analyses) may be exempt from public release. You can also request crash data from the Oregon Department of Transportation for research or statistical purposes.
Who usually has the crash report?
The agency that responded to and investigated the collision keeps the official crash report. That is commonly:
- A city police department (e.g., Portland Police)
- The county sheriff’s office
- The Oregon State Police (OSP) for state highways or when OSP investigated)
Are crash reports public under Oregon law?
Yes. Oregon’s public records law makes many public records, including many crash reports, available to the public. See Oregon’s public records statutes for the general rule that public records are accessible and for the limited exemptions that may apply: ORS chapter 192 (Public Records).
What exactly is in a typical crash report?
Typical contents include:
- Time, date, and location of the crash
- Names of drivers and vehicles involved (may include registered owner)
- Basic narrative summary of what the officer observed
- Diagram of the crash scene
- Contributing factors coded on the form (e.g., failure to yield, speeding)
- Injury severity codes and whether ambulances responded
Some materials—like raw witness statements, officer investigative notes, or preliminary internal analyses—may be withheld under public-records exemptions if disclosure would interfere with an active investigation or violate privacy or law enforcement confidentiality rules.
How to request a copy (step-by-step)
- Identify the investigating agency. Check where the crash happened (city street, county road, state highway). Contact that city police department, county sheriff, or the Oregon State Police.
- Visit the agency website. Many agencies list a crash report request form or instructions online. For OSP and state resources, start at the Oregon State Police or Oregon Department of Transportation pages: Oregon State Police and ODOT Crash Data.
- Complete any required request form and pay the fee. Agencies usually require a written request (email, web form, or paper) and may charge a copying or processing fee.
- Provide identifying details: date/time/location of crash, names of involved parties (if known), and the report number if you have it.
- Wait for processing. Processing times vary by agency and workload. If the crash is part of an active criminal investigation, release may be delayed or limited.
Can my insurance company or attorney get the report?
Yes. Insurers commonly request crash reports to process claims. Attorneys representing an involved party usually obtain the report as part of claim or litigation preparation. If you authorize your insurer or lawyer in writing, the agency will typically provide a copy.
What if I need more than the basic crash report (photos, witness statements, officer notes)?
Not all supplemental materials are automatically released. You can formally request additional records under Oregon public-records law, but the agency will review exemptions. Typical outcomes:
- Photographs taken by the responding officer: sometimes released, sometimes withheld until an investigation is complete.
- Witness statements and officer notes: often exempt while an investigation or prosecution is pending; may be released later or in redacted form.
- Video (body-cam or dash-cam): policies differ by agency; many agencies release recordings unless exempted for privacy or investigatory reasons.
If the agency refuses or delays, what can I do?
If you believe the agency improperly withholds a public record, you can:
- Ask for a written explanation of the denial and the exact legal exemption relied on.
- Request an internal review or administrative appeal through the agency’s public records officer.
- Consult an attorney experienced in Oregon public records law or in handling motor-vehicle claims. An attorney can sometimes obtain necessary records through discovery if you file a lawsuit related to the crash.
How you can use the crash report for your claim
Use the crash report to:
- Document the official police observations for your insurer
- Verify factual details (time, location, parties involved) and correct errors early
- Support your damage and injury claims when paired with medical records and repair estimates
Quick checklist for your request
- Know the responding agency and the crash date/time/location
- Check agency website for a crash-report request process or form
- Include your name, relationship to the crash, and contact information
- Be prepared to pay reasonable copying/processing fees
- Ask whether photos, video, or supplemental materials exist and whether they can be released
Key legal references and resources:
- General Oregon public records law (access and exemptions): ORS chapter 192 (Public Records)
- Oregon State Police (agency that handles many state-highway crashes): Oregon State Police
- Oregon Department of Transportation — crash data and statistics: ODOT Crash Data
Helpful Hints
- Request the report as soon as possible. Agencies sometimes purge or archive older records.
- If the report contains errors, contact the investigating agency quickly to request correction or an addendum.
- Keep a copy—attach it to your insurance claim, repair estimates, and medical bills to support damages and fault positions.
- If an investigating officer’s narrative seems incomplete, ask whether supplemental reports or diagrams exist and request those specifically.
- If you need records withheld by the agency, an attorney can often obtain them through litigation discovery even when public-access requests fail.
- Use official agency channels. Third-party sites may offer crash reports, but they may be incomplete or charge high fees.
Disclaimer: This article explains general Oregon procedures and public-records principles and is for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not legal advice. For guidance about your particular situation, consult a licensed Oregon attorney.