How to Get a Crash Report in Massachusetts

To obtain a copy of an official police crash report in Massachusetts, you must submit a request to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)^[5]. The primary method for most individuals is by mail. Download and complete the Request for Copy of Police Crash Report form (CRASH101)^[1] from the Mass.gov website, then mail it along with a copy of your government-issued photo ID and a $20.00 check or money order payable to MassDOT^[6].^[1]

Mail your completed request to: Registry of Motor Vehicles, Crash Records, P.O. Box 55889, Boston, MA 02205.^[1] Allow at least 4 weeks after the crash to submit your request to ensure the report has been received and processed by the RMV.^[1] The $20.00 fee is non-refundable, meaning you will not receive a refund if the report is not found.^[1]

For professionals and organizations that are DPPA-permitted users^[7] (such as insurance companies and attorneys), the RMV offers the Crash Program, which provides online access to police crash reports through the Crash Data Portal.^[1] To participate, you must have a Crash Account ID and registered username with the RMV. General public access to crash reports is limited to the mail-in process described above.

To request a crash report from the Massachusetts RMV^[5], you will need the following: a completed CRASH101 form^[1] (Request for Copy of Police Crash Report), a legible copy of a valid government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license or passport), and payment of $20.00^[1] by check or money order payable to MassDOT^[6].

On the CRASH101 form, you will need to provide the date and approximate time of the crash, the location (city or town), the names of the parties involved, and your relationship to the crash (e.g., driver, passenger, attorney).^[1] You must also indicate your authority under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA)^[7] to receive the report.

Not everyone can request a crash report. Eligible requestors include individuals involved in the crash, Massachusetts businesses whose vehicle was involved, authorized recipients, and permitted users under the federal DPPA.^[7] If you are an attorney or insurance company representative, you must provide documentation of your authority to request the report on behalf of your client.

A Massachusetts crash report provides a full record of the accident as documented by the responding law enforcement officer.^[1] It includes identifying information for all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians involved, as well as vehicle details such as make, model, year, VIN, and insurance information.

The report documents the crash location, road and weather conditions, contributing factors, and any traffic violations observed or cited. It includes a narrative description of the events and a diagram showing the positions and movements of the vehicles involved. Injury severity is classified using standard codes, and the report notes whether emergency medical services were dispatched.

Massachusetts operates under a no-fault insurance system^[4], which means your own insurance company pays for your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident, up to your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage limits.^[4] However, if your injuries meet certain thresholds (medical expenses exceeding $2,000 or serious injuries such as fractures, disfigurement, or loss of hearing or sight)^[4], you can step outside the no-fault system and file a claim against the at-fault driver. The crash report's findings are essential in these threshold cases.

The Massachusetts RMV^[5] advises that you should wait at least 4 weeks after the crash before submitting your request for a crash report.^[1] This allows sufficient time for the investigating law enforcement agency to complete and submit the report, and for the RMV to receive and process it into their system.

Once your request is received by the RMV, allow an additional 4 weeks for the RMV to research and process your request.^[1] If the report is found, it will be mailed to the address you provided on the request form. If the report is not found on the initial search, the RMV will continue to search its database for the requested report for 90 days from the date of the crash.^[1]

In total, the process from crash to receiving your report by mail can take 8 weeks or longer.^[1] If you need the report sooner, consider contacting the local police department that investigated the crash directly, as they may be able to provide a copy of their report more quickly. However, the RMV copy is the official statewide record.

File your Operator Report first. Massachusetts law requires you to file a Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report within 5 days^[2] if the crash caused injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage.^[2] This report must be sent to the police department where the crash occurred, your insurance company, and the RMV.^[2] Filing this report is separate from requesting a copy of the police crash report.

Contact the local police department. While the RMV^[5] is the statewide repository for crash reports, the local police department that responded to the crash may be able to provide a copy of the report more quickly. Call the records division of the responding agency and ask about their process and fees.

Double-check your form and payment. The most common reason for delays is incomplete forms or incorrect payment. Ensure your CRASH101 form^[1] is fully completed, your ID copy is legible, and your check or money order is made payable to MassDOT^[6] (not RMV or the police department). Incomplete requests will be returned, causing further delays.

Understand the no-fault system. Massachusetts is a no-fault state^[4], which means your own PIP insurance covers your initial medical expenses. However, if your injuries are serious enough, you may be able to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.^[4] The crash report is critical evidence in these cases, so request it as soon as the waiting period allows.

Your Massachusetts crash report is the foundation of any insurance claim or legal action following a car accident. It provides the official account of the accident as documented by law enforcement and contains critical details about fault, injuries, and damage that insurance adjusters and attorneys rely upon to evaluate your case.^[1]

Under Massachusetts' no-fault insurance system^[4], your own PIP coverage pays for your initial medical expenses up to $8,000 (or $2,000, depending on your policy) regardless of fault.^[4] However, if your medical expenses exceed $2,000 or you suffer serious injuries, you can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for full compensation.^[4] The crash report's findings regarding fault and injury severity are essential to establishing eligibility for these claims.

Even if you believe the accident was minor, obtaining a copy of the crash report is important for protecting your interests. Injuries from car accidents can take days or weeks to fully manifest, and having the official documentation ensures you have evidence to support a claim if your condition worsens. The 3-year statute of limitations^[3] gives you time, but starting the process early is always advantageous.