How to Get the Police Report After a Truck Accident
The police crash report records the parties, vehicles, trucking company and USDOT number, witnesses, citations and the officer's observations. You can usually request it from the police department or state highway patrol that responded, often online, after a few days. It is important evidence, but it does not decide fault in your claim.
What does a truck crash report include?
- The drivers, vehicles, license plates and insurance details.
- The trucking company's name and USDOT number.
- Witness names and contact details.
- A diagram and narrative of how the crash happened.
- Citations issued and any signs of impairment.
How do you get a copy?
Contact the agency that responded: city police, county sheriff or state highway patrol. Many states let you request crash reports online for a small fee. You will usually need the date, location and report number, which the officer may have given you at the scene.
What if the report has mistakes?
Factual errors, such as a wrong plate number or missing witness, can often be corrected by contacting the reporting officer with evidence. Disagreements about fault usually cannot be changed, but they are not binding on insurers or courts. Trucking companies must also record crashes in their own accident register and keep it for three years (49 CFR 390.15).
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a police report for a truck accident?
Request it from the police department, sheriff or state highway patrol that responded. Many states allow online requests, usually after a few days.
Does the police report decide who was at fault?
No. It is important evidence, but insurers and courts decide fault based on all the evidence.
What if no police report was made?
You can still claim. Photos, witness statements, medical records and the truck's own data can prove what happened. Some states also require drivers to file their own report.
Can I correct a mistake in the police report?
Factual errors can often be corrected by contacting the reporting officer with supporting evidence. Opinions about fault are harder to change.
Do trucking companies keep their own crash records?
Yes. Motor carriers must keep an accident register of reportable crashes for three years under 49 CFR 390.15.