How to Get a Crash Report in Pennsylvania

If the crash was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police^[1], you can request a copy of the report online through the PSP Crash Reports portal^[2]. The online system requires you to provide your name, phone number, email address, and the reason for your request. Once submitted, your request may take up to 7 days to be approved or denied. After approval, you will be directed to a payment portal to complete the $22.00 transaction^[1].

You can also request a crash report by mail using PSP Form SP 7-0015^[8]. Mail the completed form along with a $22.00 check or money order payable to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" to the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Records and Identification, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110^[8].

If a local police department or municipal agency investigated the crash, you will need to contact that department directly. Many local departments have their own procedures and fee schedules for providing crash reports. PennDOT^[3] maintains crash data but does not directly distribute individual crash reports to the public.

To request a crash report in Pennsylvania, you will need the date and location of the crash, the names of the people involved, and the report number if you have it^[1]. Having the report number significantly speeds up the process, so check any paperwork or cards given to you by the responding officer at the scene.

When submitting an online request through the PSP portal^[2], you must also indicate whether you were involved in the crash or are requesting it on behalf of someone else. You will need to briefly explain your role or interest in the crash. Acceptable reasons include being a party to the crash, an insurance representative, or a legal representative^[1].

If requesting by mail, be sure to include all available identifying information about the crash and a valid return address. Incomplete requests may be returned, which will delay the process^[8].

Pennsylvania crash reports use a standardized format that includes details about the vehicles involved, drivers, passengers, road conditions, weather, and contributing factors^[1]. The report contains a narrative section where the investigating officer describes the circumstances of the crash as they understand them.

The report also includes a diagram of the crash scene showing the positions of vehicles, direction of travel, and the point of impact. Pay close attention to the "Contributing Factors" section, which identifies actions or conditions that the officer believes contributed to the crash. These factors can be significant in insurance claims and legal proceedings.

Pennsylvania's choice no-fault system^[7] means that your tort election (limited or full) affects your ability to pursue certain types of damages. The crash report itself does not determine fault, but the information it contains is used by insurance companies and attorneys to assess liability. If you selected limited tort coverage, you generally cannot recover pain and suffering damages unless your injuries meet the "serious injury" threshold^[7].

After a crash in Pennsylvania, you must immediately notify the nearest police department if the crash involves injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000^[4]. The investigating officer will typically complete and file the report within a few days. However, crash reports investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police^[1] are generally not available for request until at least 15 days after the date of the crash^[1]. If police do not investigate the crash, you must file a Driver's Accident Report Form (AA-600) with PennDOT within 5 days^[5]. Complex crashes involving serious injuries or fatalities may take longer.

Once you submit an online request through the PSP portal^[2], allow up to 7 days for the request to be reviewed and approved. After approval, you can pay and download the report. Mail requests typically take 2 to 4 weeks to process, depending on volume^[8].

If a local police department investigated your crash, turnaround times vary. Some departments can provide reports within a few days, while others may take several weeks. Contact the investigating department directly for their specific timeline.

Always obtain the crash report number and the name of the investigating agency at the scene. This information is typically provided on a card or slip given to you by the responding officer. Having the report number makes the request process significantly faster and easier^[1].

If your crash was investigated by a local police department rather than the State Police, contact that department directly. The PSP online portal^[2] only contains reports from PSP-investigated crashes. Many local departments in Pennsylvania also offer online access to crash reports through third-party services.

Consider requesting your crash report as soon as it becomes available. Pennsylvania's 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims^[6] means time is important, and having the report early helps your attorney and insurance company begin their work promptly. If there are errors in the report, address them quickly by contacting the investigating officer.

Your crash report is one of the most important documents for supporting an insurance claim or legal case after a car accident in Pennsylvania. Insurance companies rely heavily on the crash report to determine liability and process claims. Without it, resolving your claim can be significantly more difficult and time-consuming.

In Pennsylvania's unique choice no-fault system^[7], the crash report plays a critical role in establishing whether injuries meet the "serious injury" threshold required for limited tort policyholders to recover pain and suffering damages^[7]. The report documents the severity of the crash, injuries sustained, and contributing factors that can support or undermine such claims.

The crash report also serves as an official record of the incident for your personal files. It documents important details that may fade from memory over time, such as witness information, exact locations, weather conditions, and the officer's observations at the scene. This information can be hard to get months or years later if disputes arise, especially given the 2-year statute of limitations^[6] for both personal injury and property damage claims.