How to Get a Crash Report in Montana

To obtain a crash report investigated by the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP)^[1], you must submit a written request by mail. The MHP Records Department does not process requests online, and all requests must be submitted along with the appropriate documentation and fees. The search fee is $2.00 per report, which is non-refundable.^[1]

By mail: Download and complete the Crash Release Form from the Montana Department of Justice^[7] website at dojmt.gov/montana-highway-patrol/crash-records/.^[1] Include the completed form, your $2.00 payment (cash, check, or money order)^[1], and any required documentation proving your eligibility. Mail your request to: Montana Highway Patrol, 2550 Prospect Avenue, Helena, MT 59620.^[1]

For crashes investigated by local police departments or county sheriff's offices, contact that agency directly to obtain a copy of their report. The MHP Records Department only maintains reports for crashes investigated by the Montana Highway Patrol.^[1] For questions, email mhprecords@mt.gov or call (406) 444-3278.^[1]

Montana has strict eligibility requirements for accessing crash reports.^[1] Under state law, crash records can only be released to the following: persons, businesses, or entities named on the crash report; drivers, passengers, or pedestrians involved in the accident; or an agent of an involved party, such as their attorney, insurer, or any individual or entity with written permission from the involved party.^[1]

To submit your request, you must complete the Crash Release Form^[1] (available on the MHP website) and provide the date and location of the crash, the names of persons involved, and documentation establishing your eligibility to receive the report. If you are requesting on behalf of someone else, include a signed authorization letter from the involved party.

The non-refundable search fee is $2.00 for a crash report.^[1] If you also need photographs, the fee is an additional $10.00, and video footage costs $25.00.^[1] Payment can be made by cash, check, or money order. Electronic payment is not available.

A Montana crash report is the official law enforcement record of a motor vehicle accident.^[1] The report documents the identities of all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians involved, their contact and insurance information, and detailed vehicle descriptions. It records the exact location, date, time, road conditions, weather, and lighting at the time of the crash. Vehicle registration data is cross-referenced with the Montana Motor Vehicle Division^[8].

The investigating officer provides a narrative description of the crash events, a diagram showing vehicle positions and movements, and their assessment of contributing factors and fault. Any traffic citations issued are documented, along with whether alcohol or drug impairment was suspected. Injury severity is classified for each person involved.

Montana is an at-fault state that follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% threshold.^[6] This means you can recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% at fault for the crash.^[6] If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any damages. The crash report's fault determination is therefore critically important, as it directly affects your eligibility for compensation.

After a crash is investigated by the Montana Highway Patrol^[1], the investigating officer must submit a written report. The time it takes for the report to become available varies depending on the complexity of the investigation, but most reports are completed within 2 to 4 weeks after the crash.^[1]

Serious crashes involving fatalities, major injuries, or complex circumstances may take significantly longer as accident reconstruction and additional investigation are completed. The MHP Records Department cannot release a report until the investigation is finalized.

Once you mail your request, processing time depends on the volume of requests received. Allow at least 2 to 3 weeks for your request to be processed and the report mailed back to you.^[1] In total, the process from crash date to receiving your report can take 4 to 7 weeks or more. For urgent needs, contact the MHP Records Department at (406) 444-3278 or mhprecords@mt.gov to inquire about the status of your request.^[1]

Verify your eligibility before submitting. Montana strictly limits who can access crash reports.^[1] If you are not an involved party or an authorized representative, your request will be denied. If you are requesting on behalf of someone else, include a signed authorization letter or power of attorney with your request.

Include all required information. Incomplete Crash Release Forms^[1] are a common cause of delays. Make sure you have filled in the date and location of the crash, the names of all parties involved, and your relationship to the crash. Missing information may result in your request being returned.

Be aware of the shorter property damage deadline. Montana has a 2-year statute of limitations^[5] for property damage claims, which is shorter than the 3-year limit for personal injury.^[4] If you are pursuing a property damage claim, act quickly to obtain your crash report and file your claim within the 2-year window.

Contact local agencies for non-MHP crashes. If the crash was investigated by a city police department or county sheriff's office, the MHP will not have the report. Contact the specific agency that responded to the scene. Some cities, such as Billings, offer online ordering for their police reports.

Your Montana crash report is the official record of your accident and is essential for insurance claims, medical billing, and legal proceedings.^[1] Insurance companies rely on the crash report's findings to evaluate claims, determine fault, and calculate settlement amounts. Without the report, proving what happened and who was at fault becomes significantly more challenging. Crashes resulting in injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more must be reported immediately^[2] under Montana law, and a written report must be filed within 10 days if not investigated by law enforcement.^[3]

Montana is an at-fault state^[6], meaning the driver who caused the crash is responsible for paying damages. The crash report's fault determination directly impacts your ability to recover compensation. Under Montana's modified comparative negligence system^[6], you can recover damages only if your fault does not exceed 50%. The report's assessment of contributing factors and fault is therefore crucial to your claim.

If you are considering filing a lawsuit, Montana's statute of limitations is 3 years for personal injury^[4] and 2 years for property damage.^[5] Your attorney will need the crash report to evaluate the merits of your case, identify witnesses, and establish liability. The report also documents any traffic citations issued, which can serve as evidence of negligence in court. Do not delay in requesting your report, as the relatively short property damage deadline means time is limited.