How to Get a Crash Report in Delaware

To obtain a crash report in Delaware, you must submit a request by mail to the Delaware State Police Traffic Operations Section^[1]. Walk-in requests are not available^[1]. Mail your request to: Delaware State Police Traffic Operations Section, P.O. Box 430, Dover, DE 19903^[1]. Include a copy of your Collision Information Exchange Form along with your payment.

The fee for a standard collision report is $25.00^[1]. Fatal collision reports cost $60.00^[1]. Payment must be in the form of a check or money order made payable to the Delaware State Police^[7]. Personal checks are accepted, but credit cards and cash payments are not available for mail-in requests.

If your crash was investigated by a local police department, such as Wilmington, Newark, or Dover police, contact that department's records division directly. Local departments have their own request procedures and fees. Some local agencies may offer in-person pickup or online request options that the Delaware State Police^[7] does not currently provide.

The most important document to include with your request is a copy of your Collision Information Exchange Form^[1]. This form is provided at the scene of the crash by the responding officer and contains the report number and key details about the accident. Including this form helps the Traffic Operations Section^[1] locate your report quickly and accurately.

You should also provide the date and location of the crash, the names of the drivers involved, and your own contact information including a mailing address for the report to be sent to. Make sure your payment is in the correct amount and payable to the Delaware State Police^[7]. Incorrect payment amounts will delay processing.

If you do not have a copy of the Collision Information Exchange Form, provide as much detail as possible about the crash, including the date, time, location, and the names of all parties involved. Having the case or report number is particularly helpful if available. For questions about the request process, contact the Traffic Operations Section at (302) 739-5931 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM^[1].

A Delaware crash report contains detailed documentation of the collision, including the date, time, and exact location of the crash, road and weather conditions, and detailed descriptions of all vehicles involved. The report identifies all parties, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and witnesses, along with their contact and insurance information.

The responding officer provides a narrative of the crash, a diagram of the scene, and notes any contributing factors such as speed, impaired driving, distracted driving, or failure to obey traffic signals. Citations issued at the scene are documented in the report. The report also records injury information and may indicate whether occupants were wearing seatbelts or if airbags deployed.

Delaware follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar^[5]. This means you can recover damages only if your percentage of fault is less than 51%^[5]. If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your fault percentage. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation from the other party^[5]. The crash report's fault assessment is a critical factor in how insurance companies assign responsibility.

Delaware State Police^[7] crash reports are processed through the Traffic Operations Section^[1] by mail only. After submitting your request, allow 2 to 4 weeks for processing and delivery^[1]. The processing time depends on the volume of requests and whether the investigation has been completed.

Reports for crashes involving serious injuries or fatalities may take longer, as these investigations are typically more complex and may remain open for an extended period. In such cases, a preliminary report may be available sooner, but the complete investigation file may not be finalized for several weeks or months.

For crashes investigated by local police departments, processing times vary by agency. Some departments may offer faster turnaround times, especially for in-person requests. Contact the specific department's records division to inquire about their expected processing time.

Keep your Collision Information Exchange Form in a safe place after the crash. This form is essential for requesting your crash report and contains information you will need for insurance claims. Make a copy for your records before sending it with your report request to the Delaware State Police^[7].

Delaware law requires drivers to immediately report any crash on a public highway that results in property damage of $1,500 or more, any injury, death, or involvement of an impaired driver^[2]. The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles^[6] may also require additional documentation depending on the circumstances. Since Delaware State Police only accepts mail-in requests^[1], plan ahead and submit your request as soon as possible after the crash. The 2-to-4-week processing time means delays in requesting can push back your entire claims timeline. Consider sending your request via certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of when it was received.

Delaware has a 2-year statute of limitations for both personal injury^[3] and property damage claims^[4] from car accidents. Given the mail-only request process and associated delays, it is important to act promptly. Obtain your crash report early to give your attorney adequate time to review the officer's findings, identify witnesses, and build your case before the deadline approaches.

A crash report is the primary documentation supporting any insurance claim or legal action after a car accident in Delaware. Insurance companies depend on the crash report to verify the details of the accident, assess fault, and evaluate the validity of claims. The officer's narrative and fault determination provide a professional, independent account that carries significant weight in claim negotiations.

Under Delaware's modified comparative negligence system^[5], the 51% fault bar creates a critical threshold^[5]. If the crash report assigns you 51% or more fault, you may be unable to recover any damages, regardless of how seriously you were injured^[5]. This makes reviewing the crash report for accuracy absolutely essential. If you believe the report contains errors in the fault determination, you should gather additional evidence and work with an attorney to challenge inaccurate findings.

The crash report also documents details that become harder to verify over time, including witness names and contact information, the exact location of vehicle damage, road conditions, and the positions of vehicles after the crash. This contemporaneous record is important for accident reconstruction and litigation, providing objective evidence that can corroborate or challenge the accounts of involved parties.