How to Get a Crash Report in South Dakota

The primary way to obtain a crash report in South Dakota is through the South Dakota Accident Records System^[2], an online portal operated by the Department of Public Safety^[1]. The system allows you to search for and purchase crash reports using a credit or debit card. The online fee is $10.00 per report ($4.00 for the report plus a $6.00 convenience fee)^[2], and reports are delivered immediately upon purchase if available in the system.

You can also request a crash report by mail or phone from the Office of Accident Records at the South Dakota Department of Public Safety^[1]. The fee for mail or phone requests is $4.00 per report^[1]. Mail a check or money order payable to "South Dakota Department of Public Safety" along with a written request containing the crash details to: Office of Accident Records, 118 West Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.

The Office of Accident Records maintains crash reports in their database for 15 years^[1], so you can request reports from past incidents within that timeframe. Note that there is an automatic 3-calendar-day hold on releasing reports after the crash to allow victims to exercise their rights under South Dakota's Marsy's Law^[7].

To request a crash report in South Dakota, you will need the date and approximate location or county where the crash occurred, along with the names of the people involved^[1]. If you have the crash report number, that will make the search significantly easier. The report number is typically provided by the responding law enforcement officer.

When using the online Accident Records System^[2], you can search by various criteria including the crash date, names of involved parties, and report number. The system will display matching results, and you can select and purchase the specific report you need.

For mail or phone requests, provide as much identifying information as possible to help the Office of Accident Records^[1] locate your report. Include the date, location, and names of all drivers involved at a minimum. Incomplete information may result in delays or the inability to locate the report.

South Dakota crash reports follow a standardized format that documents the details of the accident^[1]. The report includes information about the vehicles, drivers, passengers, and witnesses, as well as road conditions, weather, and contributing factors. The investigating officer provides a narrative describing the circumstances of the crash.

The report includes a diagram of the crash scene and identifies contributing factors such as speed, failure to yield, distracted driving, or impaired driving. Any citations issued at the scene are documented. These details are important for insurance companies assessing liability and for attorneys building legal cases.

South Dakota is an at-fault state that follows a unique slight/gross comparative negligence system^[8]. Under South Dakota law, you can only recover damages if your negligence is deemed "slight" in comparison to the defendant's "gross" negligence^[8]. If your fault exceeds the "slight" threshold, you are barred from recovery entirely. The crash report is a key piece of evidence in determining fault. Review your report carefully and contact the investigating officer if you believe there are inaccuracies.

After a crash in South Dakota, there is an automatic 3-calendar-day hold on releasing the report to comply with Marsy's Law^[7], which protects the rights of crime victims. After this hold, reports typically take 8 to 14 business days to be entered into the Accident Records System^[2] and become available for purchase.

Online purchases through the Accident Records System^[2] provide immediate delivery once the report is in the system. If you pay with a credit or debit card, you can download the report instantly. Mail and phone requests take additional time for processing and delivery, typically 1 to 3 weeks after the report is available^[1].

Complex crashes involving serious injuries, fatalities, or ongoing investigations may take longer to become available. If your report is not in the system after 14 business days, contact the investigating law enforcement agency or the Office of Accident Records^[1] at (605) 773-3868 for an update.

At the scene of the crash, obtain the report number and the name of the investigating officer and their law enforcement agency. This information is critical for locating your report later. If the crash was investigated by the South Dakota Highway Patrol^[3], the report will be filed directly with the Office of Accident Records^[1]. You must report any crash involving injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more to any one person ($2,000 total) by the quickest means of communication^[4].

The online Accident Records System^[2] is the fastest and most convenient way to get your report, but it does cost $10.00 compared to $4.00 by mail^[1]. If time is a factor, the online option is worth the additional convenience fee since you receive the report immediately upon purchase.

South Dakota has a generous 6-year statute of limitations for property damage claims^[6], but only 3 years for personal injury^[5]. Even with these timelines, obtaining your crash report promptly is important for preserving your ability to file an insurance claim and for ensuring you have accurate documentation of the incident. Memories fade and physical evidence can disappear over time, so having the official report matters.

Your crash report is the official record of the accident and serves as the foundation for insurance claims and legal proceedings in South Dakota. As an at-fault state, establishing who caused the crash is critical to determining whose insurance pays for damages. The crash report provides the investigating officer's assessment of what happened and any contributing factors.

The report documents important details including the names and contact information of all parties and witnesses, vehicle descriptions, insurance information, and the extent of injuries and property damage observed at the scene. Without this report, proving the circumstances of the crash becomes significantly more difficult, especially if the other driver disputes what happened.

South Dakota's unique slight/gross comparative negligence system^[8] means that your level of fault directly affects your ability to recover damages. If your negligence is more than "slight" in comparison to the defendant's, you are barred from recovery entirely^[8]. The crash report is often the primary document used to assess fault, making it essential to obtain and review the report as soon as possible after your accident. Remember that the 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury^[5] and 6-year statute of limitations for property damage^[6] begin on the date of the crash.