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How to Get a Copy of Your Accident Report in Ohio and Kentucky

April 11, 2023 | 5 min read
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A car accident report is a key component of making a claim after a collision. Following a car wreck, police officers will typically put together an accident report that describes, among other things:

  • Where the collision occurred
  • What happened
  • Whether anyone was given a ticket and/or issued a citation
  • If there were witnesses to the auto accident, their names may be listed along with their statements

Whether you are filing a claim with your own insurance or seeking compensation from the other driver’s insurance company (or both), it is important to have a copy of the car accident report. People who have been involved in an auto accident are faced with a number of challenges. It can be difficult to know how and where to find a copy of the report amid all of the other issues vying for your attention.

Burg Simpson can help you obtain a copy of the police report following a car accident and assist you with all other aspects of your claim. Call 513-852-5600 today for a FREE and confidential case evaluation.

In addition to accident victims in Ohio, our Cincinnati office also serves clients in nearby Kentucky. Here, we offer information on how a crash report can be obtained in both states.

When Is an Accident Report Required?

Not all car crashes need to be reported to the police. Each state has its own reporting requirements that specify when an accident must be reported, as well as what is required of law enforcement in filing the report.

Ohio Accident Reporting Requirements

In Ohio, law enforcement agencies are required to prepare a report within 5 days of any motor vehicle accident that results in the following:

Not all car accidents in Ohio need to be reported to the police; however, given that the presence of injuries or the amount of property damage may be uncertain immediately following a crash, it is generally in your best interest to call 9-1-1 and ask for the police to respond. Providing a statement to the police at the scene will satisfy the reporting requirement.

The procedure for reporting an accident after the fact varies by location (Ex: See the City of Cincinnati’s Online Reporting system). If you are unsure how to proceed, an Ohio car accident lawyer can help.

Kentucky Accident Reporting Requirements

Accident reporting requirements in Kentucky are similar to those in Ohio. In Kentucky, law enforcement officials must be notified promptly of a crash resulting in any of the following:

Again, injuries and the extent of property damage are not always obvious in the aftermath of a crash; you should err on the side of caution and call the police. The police are required to prepare a report for any accident meeting these criteria and submit it to the Department of Kentucky State Police within 10 days.

If the police were not called to the scene of the accident, you can report the accident online using the Kentucky State Police’s Civilian Traffic Collision Report.

Where Can I Find My Accident Report?

Now that you know when accident reports are required and how crashes are investigated by the police, it is time to learn how you can get a copy of the car accident report in Ohio or Kentucky. The procedure depends on the state:

Getting an Accident Report in Ohio

If the auto accident occurred in Ohio, you can get a free, unofficial copy of the report by visiting the Ohio Department of Public Safety website. The Ohio Crash System maintains accident reports for the current year and the preceding 5 years.

The Crash Report Search portal will ask you for the Crash Number and Document Number. If you do not have either of these numbers, you can also search the following:

  • The date of the accident
  • The county where the accident occurred
  • The law enforcement agency that investigated the accident
  • Your last name

Your car accident report may not be available immediately. According to the Department of Public Safety, it can take up to 6 weeks for an accident report to appear on the website. Generally, however, reports are available within 2–3 weeks of the crash.

If the accident was investigated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, you can purchase an official copy of the report and photographs taken at the scene online. Reports may be requested within 7 business days of the crash.

To request an official car accident report prepared by other law enforcement agencies, you will need to contact the agency directly. Procedures for obtaining the report vary by location. (Ex: The City of Cincinnati has an online records request system for accident reports and other police records.)

Getting an Accident Report in Kentucky

If you were in a car wreck in Kentucky, there are several ways to obtain a copy of the accident report. First, you can go to BuyCrash.com, select “Kentucky” from the list of states, and choose the police department that responded to the accident. You will then be asked for your last name, the date of the crash, and one of the following:

  • The accident report number
  • The badge number of the responding officer
  • Your driver’s license number

You can then search for your report and, for a small fee, download a copy from the website.

Second, you can find the post location for the Kentucky State Police that serves the county where the accident occurred. By contacting the applicable KSP post online, you can inquire as to the status of your car accident report.

Finally, you can request a copy of your accident report by mailing a written request to:

Kentucky State Police Headquarters
ATTN: Open Records
919 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601

In your request, you will need to include:

  • Your name
  • The date of the accident
  • The county or city where the crash took place.

Written requests will be processed by the KSP within 3 business days.

Get Help with Your Car Accident Claim

Obtaining a copy of the car accident report is only one component of making a claim after a car accident. The award-winning attorneys at Burg Simpson can help with all aspects of your case.

If you have been seriously injured in a crash due to the fault or negligence of another, your focus should be getting healthy, not battling with insurance companies. Our car accident lawyers can collect all available evidence and records (including the police report) and prepare a strong claim on your behalf.

For a FREE and confidential case evaluation, contact Burg Simpson today. Our lawyers represent clients who have been injured in car accidents in Cincinnati and other areas of Ohio, as well as neighboring states.

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