How to Get a Crash Report in Virginia

Virginia crash reports are requested through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)^[1]. Currently, there is no online portal for purchasing crash reports electronically. You can request reports by mail, fax, or in person at any DMV customer service center^[2].

To request by mail, complete the Information Request Form (CRD 93)^[1], available on the DMV website, and mail it with a check or money order for $8.00 per report^[1] to: Customer Records Work Center, Room 514, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Post Office Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269. Note that DMV no longer accepts credit card payments for mailed requests.

To request by fax, submit the completed CRD 93 form along with a License, ID Card and Records Payment Authorization form (DMS 004)^[1] for credit card payment. For in-person requests, visit any DMV customer service center where you can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit card. You may want to make an appointment to reduce wait times.

To request your crash report, complete the Information Request Form (CRD 93)^[1]. You will need the date of the crash, the location where it occurred, and the names of persons involved. If you have the driver license number of any party or the crash report number, include those to help DMV locate the correct record.

The $8.00 fee^[1] is charged per report requested and is required even if the crash report is not found in DMV records. For mail requests, payment must be made by check or money order payable to the Virginia DMV^[2]. Credit card payments are accepted for fax and in-person requests only.

Virginia law restricts access to crash reports to parties with a legitimate interest, including persons involved in the crash, their legal representatives, insurance companies, and other authorized entities. Be prepared to explain your relationship to the crash if asked.

The Virginia crash report (FR300)^[1] contains detailed information about the collision, including the date, time, and location; vehicle and driver details; injury information; road and environmental conditions; a crash diagram; and the investigating officer's narrative and conclusions.

Virginia is one of the few states that follows the doctrine of pure contributory negligence^[7]. This means that if you are found to bear any fault at all for the crash, even as little as 1%, you may be completely barred from recovering damages from the other driver. This makes the crash report's fault determination especially critical in Virginia, as it directly affects your ability to pursue compensation.

The officer's narrative and the contributing factors noted in the report carry significant weight in insurance negotiations and court proceedings. If the report assigns any fault to you, discuss the implications with a personal injury attorney, as Virginia's contributory negligence rule^[7] creates unique challenges that require careful legal strategy.

Law enforcement officers who investigate a qualifying crash must submit their report (FR300) to the Virginia DMV within 24 hours of completing the investigation^[4]. However, this does not mean the report is immediately available for public request. Processing and indexing the report into the DMV system typically takes 7 to 14 business days.

Drivers involved in a crash resulting in injury, death, or property damage of $3,000 or more must file their own report with the DMV within 5 days of the accident^[3]. This driver report is separate from the police report and documents your own account of the incident.

If you need the report urgently before it appears in the DMV system, contact the investigating law enforcement agency directly. Many police departments, the Virginia State Police^[8], and sheriff's offices can provide a copy of the report before it is transmitted to the DMV, though they may charge their own fee.

Because Virginia does not have an online purchase portal, plan ahead for processing time. Mail requests can take two to four weeks, so consider visiting a DMV customer service center^[2] in person if you need the report quickly. Making an appointment online can reduce your wait time at the center.

Given Virginia's pure contributory negligence rule^[7], review your crash report very carefully for accuracy. Any indication of fault on your part could prevent you from recovering damages. If you find errors, contact the investigating agency immediately to request corrections or a supplemental report.

Keep the CRD 93 form^[1] number and your payment records for tracking purposes. If you do not receive your report within a reasonable time, contact the DMV Customer Records Work Center to check the status of your request.

Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney before making any statements to insurance companies. Virginia's contributory negligence standard^[7] means that even minor admissions of fault can be used to deny your entire claim. An attorney can help you navigate the process while protecting your rights.

Your Virginia crash report is the primary document used by insurance companies to evaluate your claim and determine fault. In a state with pure contributory negligence^[7], the crash report's assessment of fault is especially consequential. A report that shows the other driver as fully at fault strengthens your position significantly.

Virginia has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Virginia Code § 8.01-243^[5] and a five-year limitation for property damage claims under Virginia Code § 8.01-246^[6]. Obtaining your crash report promptly gives you and your attorney time to evaluate the evidence, identify any inaccuracies that need correction, and build a strong case before the filing deadline.

The report also contains essential information about the other driver and their insurance coverage that you will need to file a claim. Without this documentation, identifying and contacting the responsible parties and their insurers becomes much more difficult, potentially delaying or jeopardizing your recovery.