How to Get a Crash Report in North Dakota

The primary way to obtain a North Dakota crash report is through the NDDOT online crash report portal^[2] at ndcrash.primepublicsafety.com. This portal allows you to search for and purchase crash reports that have been filed with the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT)^[6]. You can search using a driver's last name, the date of the crash, the county, or the crash report number.

To complete your request online, you will need to provide at least two identifying details about the crash. Once you locate your report, you can pay the $7.00 fee^[1] with a credit card and download the report as a PDF. Reports are typically available within 10 days of the crash occurring^[1].

You can also request crash reports by contacting the North Dakota State Highway Patrol^[7] directly if the crash was investigated by a state trooper. For crashes investigated by local law enforcement, contact the city police department or county sheriff's office that responded to the scene. These agencies may provide copies of crash reports with their own fee structures.

To search for and purchase a crash report through the NDDOT online portal^[2], you must provide at least two of the following pieces of information: the last name of a driver involved, the date of the crash, and the county where the crash occurred. If you have the crash report number, you can search directly with that.

If you do not have enough information to search the NDDOT portal, contact the law enforcement agency that investigated the crash. They can provide you with the necessary details such as the report number, which will make your search much easier.

For mail or in-person requests, you will typically need to provide your full name, the date of the crash, the location, and a description of the vehicles involved. Payment of $7.00^[1] must accompany your request. Acceptable payment methods include check or money order made payable to the North Dakota Department of Transportation^[6].

North Dakota crash reports contain detailed information about the collision, including the identities of all drivers and passengers involved, vehicle descriptions, road and weather conditions, and the investigating officer's narrative of what happened. The report also includes a collision diagram showing the positions and movements of the vehicles.

As a no-fault insurance state^[5], North Dakota requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage^[5], which pays for your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. However, you can step outside the no-fault system and file a claim against the at-fault driver if your injuries meet certain severity thresholds or if your medical bills exceed your PIP coverage limits^[5].

The crash report will include information about citations issued, contributing factors identified by the investigating officer, and the estimated damage to each vehicle. Pay close attention to the "Contributing Factors" and "Driver Actions" sections, as these can significantly impact insurance claims and any potential lawsuits. Even in a no-fault state, the determination of fault in the crash report can affect your insurance premiums and your ability to pursue additional compensation.

After a reportable crash occurs in North Dakota (one involving $4,000 or more in total property damage, or any injury or fatality^[3]), the investigating law enforcement agency files the crash report with the NDDOT^[6]. Reports typically become available for purchase through the online portal^[2] approximately 10 days after the crash date^[1]. This processing time allows the investigating agency to complete their report and submit it to the state system.

Once available in the NDDOT system, online purchases are fulfilled immediately as a downloadable PDF. If you need the report sooner than 10 days, you may be able to obtain a copy directly from the law enforcement agency that investigated the crash, though availability and fees may vary by agency.

For crashes investigated by the North Dakota State Highway Patrol^[7], you can also submit a request through the Highway Patrol's website or contact their office directly. Local police departments and county sheriff's offices may have their own timelines for report availability.

The online portal^[2] is the fastest and most convenient way to obtain your crash report. Make sure you have at least two identifying details about the crash before searching. The crash report number, if you have it, will give you the most direct results.

If you were involved in a crash, ask the responding officer for the crash report number at the scene. This number will make it much easier to locate your report later. Also note the name and agency of the responding officer in case you need to follow up.

Since North Dakota is a no-fault state^[5], your PIP coverage will handle your initial medical expenses and lost wages. However, obtaining the crash report quickly is still important because you may need it to file a claim with your insurance company or to pursue additional compensation if your injuries are serious enough to step outside the no-fault system^[5].

Remember that the $4,000 property damage threshold^[3] is one of the highest in the country. If your crash involved less than $4,000 in damage and no injuries, it may not have been reported to the NDDOT and therefore may not be available through the online portal. In that case, check with the local law enforcement agency that responded to the scene.

Even in North Dakota's no-fault insurance system^[5], your crash report is an essential document. Your insurance company will need the crash report to process your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim^[5] and to verify the details of the accident. The report provides an independent, official record of the collision that supports your claim.

If your injuries are severe enough to step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault driver, the crash report becomes even more critical. It documents the investigating officer's findings about fault, contributing factors, and the severity of the collision. This information forms the foundation of any personal injury claim or lawsuit. North Dakota has a 6-year statute of limitations^[4] for both personal injury and property damage claims, but acting promptly is still advisable.

The crash report also serves as a valuable reference for tracking medical treatment, documenting property damage, and preserving witness information. Insurance adjusters, attorneys, and courts all rely on the official crash report as a primary source of information about the accident. Obtaining your report promptly ensures you have this critical document available when you need it.