How to Get a Crash Report in Utah

The easiest way to obtain a Utah Highway Patrol^[1] crash report is through the Department of Public Safety's^[3] online Public Records Portal at highwaypatrol.utah.gov^[2]. Enter your case information, verify your identity, pay the $10.00 fee, and download your report. The entire process takes about 10 minutes once the report is available in the system.

For crashes investigated by local police departments or county sheriff's offices, you will need to contact the specific agency that responded to the crash. Many local agencies have their own request processes and may charge different fees. For example, Salt Lake City charges $10.00 for crash reports up to 50 pages.

You can also request crash reports by mail or in person at the Utah DPS^[3] office. Mail requests should include the crash details, your contact information, and payment. Processing times for mail requests are typically longer than online requests.

To search for your crash report online, you will need the date and location of the crash, along with a valid email address where you will receive confirmation^[2]. If you have the case number assigned by the investigating officer, this will speed up your search significantly.

If you do not have the case number, you can search using the names of persons involved in the crash and the approximate date and location. The DPS portal^[2] will return matching records for you to identify and purchase.

Note that online crash reports from the Utah Highway Patrol^[1] include only the official report document. Photographs, witness statements, and audio or video recordings are not included with the online report and must be requested separately through a formal public records request.

Your Utah crash report documents the essential details of the collision, including the time, date, and exact location; the vehicles and drivers involved; passenger information; road and weather conditions; and the investigating officer's narrative describing how the crash occurred.

Because Utah is a no-fault insurance state^[6], your own PIP coverage pays first for medical expenses up to $3,000 per person^[6], regardless of who caused the crash. However, if your medical bills exceed $3,000 or you suffered serious injuries such as permanent disability or disfigurement, you can step outside the no-fault system and file a claim against the at-fault driver. The crash report's determination of contributing factors becomes critical in these cases.

Utah uses a modified comparative fault system under Utah Code § 78B-5-818^[7] where you can only recover damages if you are less than 50% at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. The officer's findings in the crash report are a key piece of evidence in determining fault percentages.

After the crash is investigated, the responding officer uploads their report to the DPS system^[3]. Reports for crashes involving injury, death, or property damage of $2,500 or more^[4] typically become available for purchase within 10 to 14 business days. However, more complex crashes involving serious injuries, fatalities, or multi-vehicle incidents may take significantly longer as the investigation continues.

If you need the report sooner, contact the investigating agency directly. Some agencies can provide a preliminary or courtesy copy before the report is fully processed and uploaded to the online system^[2]. Be prepared to provide the case number and your identification.

Utah law requires the Department of Public Safety^[3] to maintain crash records, and reports are generally available for several years after the incident. If you need a very old report, contact DPS directly as these may require additional processing time.

Request a business card or case number from the responding officer at the scene. This is the single most useful piece of information for locating your report later. If you did not get this information, call the non-emergency number of the agency that responded and ask for the case number.

Because Utah is a no-fault state^[6], you should file a claim with your own insurance company first, regardless of who caused the crash. Your PIP coverage will pay for initial medical expenses up to $3,000^[6]. However, still obtain the crash report as it will be needed if your claim exceeds the PIP threshold and you need to pursue the at-fault driver.

If the crash was investigated by a local police department rather than the Utah Highway Patrol^[1], make sure you contact the correct agency. The DPS portal^[2] only contains reports filed by state troopers. Municipal and county agencies maintain their own records.

Review your crash report carefully for errors. If you find inaccuracies, contact the investigating agency to request corrections. Common errors include incorrect vehicle descriptions, misspelled names, and inaccurate location details.

Your Utah crash report is the starting point for any insurance claim or legal action following a car accident. Even under Utah's no-fault system^[6], your insurance company will want a copy of the official report to process your PIP claim and determine whether additional coverage applies.

If your injuries exceed the $3,000 PIP threshold^[6] or you suffered serious harm, you will need to file a claim against the at-fault driver. The crash report provides the evidence needed to establish fault and support your claim. Utah's four-year statute of limitations under Utah Code § 78B-2-307^[5] gives you time, but obtaining the report promptly ensures you have accurate documentation while details are fresh.

The crash report also contains the other driver's insurance information, contact details, and vehicle information. This data is essential for coordinating with insurance companies and ensuring all parties are properly identified. Without the official report, you may have difficulty verifying the other driver's coverage or pursuing a claim through the Driver License Division^[8].