How to obtain your crash report or a more detailed accident report in Pennsylvania

Quick answer: In Pennsylvania you can usually get a copy of the police crash report from the law enforcement agency that responded, from PennDOT/Pennsylvania crash-data services, or by asking your insurer (often with your signed authorization). If the local agency refuses, you can pursue a Right-to-Know Law request or, if you are in active litigation, request documents through discovery or a subpoena. Certain parts of a report can be redacted for privacy or investigatory reasons.

Detailed answer — what you need to know

1) Who creates the crash report?

The responding police agency (municipal police, county sheriff, Pennsylvania State Police) generally completes the police crash/accident report after a motor vehicle collision. That document is the primary official report insurers and attorneys use.

2) Where to request the report

• Contact the police agency that responded. The records or communications/records division usually handles crash-report copies. Many police departments post instructions and fee schedules online.
• If the Pennsylvania State Police responded, check the PSP website or contact the PSP records division.
• PennDOT collects crash data for statistical purposes (the MV-104 form is the standard crash-report form). PennDOT’s crash-data pages and guidance can help if you need statewide records or historical crash data.
• Your insurance company can often get the report for you if you sign an authorization. Insurers routinely obtain reports for claims handling.

3) What you will get and what may be withheld

Typical contents: date/time/location, parties and vehicle info, driver statements, apparent damage, diagram, citations, and officer narrative. What you might not get: sensitive personal identifiers, witness contact details, or investigatory notes that agencies consider exempt. Some fields may be redacted or omitted.

4) Fees, timing, and format

• Fees: Agencies commonly charge a modest fee for copies. Fees vary by department.
• Timing: Some agencies provide a copy same day or within a few business days. Others can take longer, especially for busy departments or if the report is categorized as an active investigation.
• Format: You may receive a printed copy, a PDF, or an online-access link, depending on the agency.

5) If the agency refuses or delays — Right-to-Know Law (RTKL)

Under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know framework, many government records are presumptively public. If a local agency refuses to release a crash report, you can file a RTKL request through the agency’s open-records officer, and then appeal to the Office of Open Records if needed. For general information about the RTKL and how to file, see the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records: https://www.openrecords.pa.gov. You can also review the Right-to-Know statutory provisions through the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s website (Title 65): https://www.legis.state.pa.us.

6) If you need more detail than the police report contains

The police report is an official summary, not a full investigative file in every case. If you need eyewitness statements, photos, body-cam/video, tow records, or other documents, ask the responding agency specifically for those items. Some of these items may be available through a records request or RTKL request; some may be subject to investigatory exemptions and withheld until an investigation is closed. If you have an active claim or lawsuit, your attorney can obtain additional evidence through discovery or by issuing subpoenas for records (body camera video, 911 recordings, CCTV, etc.).

7) Using authorization to speed things up

If you sign and provide a written authorization (often a form provided by the insurer or agency), records custodians commonly release the report directly to your insurer or attorney. This is usually the fastest route for claims handling.

8) Litigation considerations

Once litigation starts, discovery rules allow parties to compel production of documents and recordings. If an agency still refuses to turn over materials that are discoverable, a court can order production or in-camera review.

Practical step-by-step checklist

1. Identify the responding agency (police department that listed on your crash form or your citation).
2. Call the agency’s records division or check its website for the crash-report request procedure, fees, and forms.
3. If you have a claim number, crash report number, exact date/time/location, bring that information to speed the search.
4. Sign a release if asked (insurance authorization form if insurer will request).
5. If denied, file a formal RTKL request with the agency’s open-records officer (see https://www.openrecords.pa.gov for guidance).
6. If you’re in litigation, instruct your lawyer to request documents through discovery or subpoena if the records are not voluntarily produced.

Helpful Hints

• Always get the crash report number and the name of the responding officer before leaving the scene when possible.
• Take photos and notes at the scene — they can be crucial if some report details are missing or redacted.
• If the responding agency has an online records portal, it may be faster and cheaper than an in-person request.
• When communicating with your insurer, sign an authorization so they can obtain the report and related records directly.
• If the report is delayed because the agency lists the crash as an active investigation, ask when the status is expected to change and set a calendar reminder to follow up.
• Be specific in records requests: ask for the police report, officer narrative, diagrams, photos, 911 audio, and any body-worn camera or dash-cam footage by date/time/location.
• If you run into problems, the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records provides RTKL guidance and appeal procedures: openrecords.pa.gov.

Where to find official Pennsylvania resources

• Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (RTKL guidance): https://www.openrecords.pa.gov
• Pennsylvania General Assembly — Title 65 (Right-to-Know Law statutes): https://www.legis.state.pa.us
• PennDOT / Pennsylvania crash data and forms (MV-104 info and statewide crash data): visit the PennDOT website at https://www.penndot.gov
• Pennsylvania State Police (if PSP responded): https://www.psp.pa.gov

Important disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consider speaking with a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.