How to Get a Crash Report in Maryland

To obtain a crash report investigated by the Maryland State Police (MSP)^[8], you can request a copy either by mail or in person. The Maryland State Police does not currently offer a direct online ordering portal for crash reports, though some local agencies may offer online access through third-party services like LexisNexis BuyCrash^[2].

By mail: Download and complete the Request for Motor Vehicle Crash Report form from the MSP Central Records Division^[1] website. Mail the completed form along with a check or money order for $4.00^[1] (payable to Maryland State Police) to: Maryland State Police, Central Records Division, 1711 Belmont Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21244. Do not submit your request until at least 10 days after the crash to allow time for processing.^[1]

In person: Visit the MSP Barrack that investigated the crash at least 10 days after the incident.^[1] Bring a completed request form and a check or money order for $4.00.^[1] You can also visit the Central Records Division in Pikesville during regular business hours. For crashes investigated by local or county police departments, contact that agency directly as they maintain their own records.

To request a crash report from the Maryland State Police^[8], you will need to complete the Request for Motor Vehicle Crash Report form, which can be downloaded from the Central Records Division^[1] webpage. The form requires the date and location of the crash, the names of persons involved, and the crash report number if you have it.

You must include payment of $4.00^[1] in the form of a check or money order made payable to the Maryland State Police. Cash is not accepted for mail-in requests. The $4.00 fee is a non-refundable document search fee that applies regardless of whether the report is located.^[1]

If you do not have the crash report number, provide as much detail as possible including the names of all parties involved, the exact date, and the specific location (including road names, intersections, or mile markers). The more information you provide, the easier it will be for the Central Records Division^[1] to locate your report. If you were involved in a crash on a Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA)^[7] roadway (such as a toll facility), contact the MDTA Police Central Records Unit separately.

A Maryland crash report documents the circumstances of a motor vehicle accident as investigated and recorded by law enforcement.^[1] The report includes detailed information about all parties involved, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, along with their contact information, driver's license numbers, and insurance details.

The report contains a narrative section where the investigating officer describes the events leading up to, during, and after the crash. It also includes a crash diagram showing vehicle positions, directions of travel, and point of impact. Weather conditions, road surface conditions, and lighting are documented, as well as any contributing factors such as speed, distracted driving, or impairment.

Maryland follows a strict contributory negligence standard^[5], which is one of the most restrictive in the country. Under this rule, if you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, you may be barred from recovering any damages.^[5] This makes the crash report's fault determination critically important, as it can directly affect your ability to receive compensation through insurance or litigation.

After a crash is investigated, the responding officer submits the report to the appropriate records division. The Maryland State Police^[8] advises that you should wait at least 10 days after the date of the crash before submitting a request.^[1] This gives the Central Records Division^[1] sufficient time to receive and process the report.

For straightforward crashes, reports are generally processed and available within the 10-day window. However, crashes involving serious injuries, fatalities, or complex investigations may take longer. Hit-and-run cases or crashes requiring accident reconstruction can take several weeks or even months before the final report is completed.

Once your written request is received and processed by the Central Records Division, allow additional time for mailing. The total turnaround from submitting your request to receiving the report by mail is typically 2 to 4 weeks.^[1] If you need the report more urgently, visiting the appropriate MSP Barrack or the Central Records Division in person may be faster.

Identify the investigating agency. Maryland has multiple law enforcement agencies that investigate crashes, including the Maryland State Police^[8], county police departments, municipal police, and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police^[7]. Make sure you request the report from the correct agency, as the MSP only has reports for crashes they investigated.

File your MVA report separately. Even if police responded to the scene and filed their own report, Maryland law may require you to file a separate written accident report with the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)^[6] within 15 days if the crash resulted in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500.^[3]

Be aware of contributory negligence. Maryland is one of only a few states that follows contributory negligence^[5], meaning any fault on your part could bar your recovery. Review your crash report carefully and consult with an attorney if you believe the fault determination is inaccurate, as this finding can have major implications for your claim.

Keep copies of everything. When you submit your request, make a copy of the completed form and your payment for your records. If your request is lost in the mail, having copies will make it easier to submit a new request without delays.

Your Maryland crash report is the official documentation of your accident and serves as the primary evidence for insurance claims and legal proceedings.^[1] Insurance adjusters rely heavily on the crash report when evaluating claims, determining fault, and calculating settlement amounts. Without a crash report, proving what happened and who was responsible becomes significantly more challenging.

Because Maryland is an at-fault state with a strict contributory negligence standard^[5], the crash report's fault determination carries enormous weight. If the report indicates the other driver was at fault, it strengthens your claim for compensation. Conversely, if there is any suggestion that you contributed to the crash, an insurance company may try to deny your claim entirely.^[5]

If you plan to pursue legal action, your attorney will need the crash report to evaluate the merits of your case, identify witnesses, and gather evidence. The 3-year statute of limitations^[4] for both personal injury and property damage claims means time is limited. Obtaining your crash report promptly allows your legal team to begin building your case while evidence is fresh and witnesses are still available.