How to Get a Crash Report in Michigan

The easiest way to obtain a Michigan crash report is through the Traffic Crash Purchasing System (TCPS)^[2] at tcps.state.mi.us. This online portal allows you to search for, purchase, and print crash reports submitted by all Michigan law enforcement agencies.^[1] The cost is $15.00 per report^[2], payable by credit or debit card.

To use the TCPS, you will need to create an account (or sign in if you already have one), then search for the crash using criteria such as the crash report number, date, location, or names of involved parties.^[2] Once you locate the report, you can purchase it and print it immediately. Reports are typically available in the system within 3-5 business days after the crash.^[1]

You can also obtain crash reports through LexisNexis BuyCrash^[3] at policereports.lexisnexis.com, which provides access to reports from many Michigan agencies. Note that the cost through BuyCrash is typically higher than through TCPS.^[3] For reports not available online, you can contact the investigating law enforcement agency directly or submit a written request to the Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Reporting Unit^[1].

To search for and purchase a crash report through the TCPS online portal^[2], you should have the following information: the crash report number (found on any paperwork given to you at the scene), the date of the crash, the county or city where the crash occurred, and the names of the drivers or parties involved.^[1]

For online purchases through TCPS, you will need a valid credit or debit card to complete the transaction.^[2] You will also need to create a TCPS account with a valid email address. Once purchased, the report can be viewed, printed, or saved as a PDF file.

If you are requesting the report by mail or cannot find it in the TCPS system, you can contact the Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Reporting Unit^[1] at (517) 322-1090 or email at MSP-CJIC-TCRU@michigan.gov.^[1] Provide as much information about the crash as possible, including the date, location, and names of involved parties. Reports that are not yet in the system may take additional time to become available.

Michigan uses the UD-10 Traffic Crash Report form^[1], which is the standardized form used by all law enforcement agencies in the state to document traffic crashes. The report contains detailed information about the crash circumstances, involved parties, vehicles, and the investigating officer's findings. Vehicle registration data is cross-referenced with the Michigan Secretary of State^[8] records.

The UD-10 report includes sections for vehicle descriptions, driver information, passenger details, injury severity classifications, contributing factors, and a crash diagram. The narrative section provides the officer's account of what happened based on their investigation, witness statements, and physical evidence. It also documents road and weather conditions, speed estimates, and any traffic violations cited.

Michigan is a no-fault insurance state^[6], which means your own insurance company pays for your medical expenses and certain economic losses regardless of who caused the crash, through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. However, you can sue the at-fault driver if your injuries meet the serious impairment threshold (a serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement).^[6] For property damage, Michigan's mini-tort law allows you to recover up to $3,000 from the at-fault driver.^[7] The crash report is essential evidence for both PIP claims and any potential lawsuit.

Michigan crash reports are typically available for purchase through the TCPS portal^[2] within 3 to 5 business days after the crash.^[1] This is one of the faster turnaround times in the country, though availability depends on when the investigating agency submits the report to the Michigan State Police^[1].

For more complex crashes involving serious injuries, fatalities, or hit-and-run investigations, the report may take longer to complete. Crashes requiring accident reconstruction or extensive investigation can take several weeks before the final report is submitted to the TCPS system.

If you need the report urgently and it is not yet available on TCPS, you can contact the law enforcement agency that investigated the crash directly. Many local police departments and sheriff's offices can provide a copy of the report from their own records before it is uploaded to the statewide system. Some agencies also use LexisNexis BuyCrash^[3], which may have the report available sooner than TCPS.

Try TCPS first. The Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Purchasing System (TCPS)^[2] is the most affordable option at $15.00 per report.^[2] While LexisNexis BuyCrash^[3] is convenient, it typically charges more for the same report. Always check TCPS before using a third-party service.

Save your crash exchange information. At the scene of the crash, you should have received paperwork with a crash report number and the investigating officer's information. Keep this documentation, as the report number is the fastest way to locate your report in the TCPS system.^[2]

Understand Michigan's no-fault system. Michigan's no-fault insurance system^[6] is complex. Your PIP coverage pays for your medical expenses regardless of fault, but you may be able to sue the at-fault driver for non-economic damages if you meet the serious impairment threshold.^[6] The crash report is key evidence in determining who was at fault and the severity of the crash.

Act within the statute of limitations. Michigan has a 3-year statute of limitations^[5] for both personal injury and property damage claims. However, for mini-tort property damage claims (up to $3,000 from the at-fault driver)^[7], you should act promptly as insurance companies may dispute older claims. Obtain your crash report as soon as it is available to begin the claims process.

Your Michigan crash report (UD-10)^[1] is the official record of your accident and is essential for navigating the state's complex no-fault insurance system^[6]. Your PIP insurance company will request the crash report as part of processing your benefits claim, and the report's documentation of injuries, vehicle damage, and crash circumstances directly affects how your claim is evaluated.

If your injuries are serious enough to meet the threshold for filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver^[6], the crash report becomes critical evidence. It establishes the facts of the crash, identifies witnesses, and documents the investigating officer's assessment of fault and contributing factors. Attorneys reviewing your case will use the report as the starting point for their investigation. Crashes resulting in injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more must be reported immediately^[4] under Michigan law.

For property damage claims, Michigan's mini-tort law allows you to recover up to $3,000 from the at-fault driver^[7] for vehicle damage not covered by your own insurance. The crash report's fault determination is the primary evidence used to support these claims. Additionally, if you have collision coverage, your own insurance company will use the report to process your vehicle repair claim and pursue subrogation against the at-fault driver's insurer. The 3-year statute of limitations^[5] applies to both personal injury and property damage claims, so act promptly.