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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Kigan Martineau who has years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
Nearly 3,000 car crashes happen every month across Utah and Idaho. After an auto accident, a car accident report from the police officer is a vital piece of evidence for your insurance claim. This guide shows you how to get your crash report online, by mail, or in person. We at BAM Personal Injury Lawyers can help you get the crash report you need after a traffic accident.
A police accident report creates an official record of what happened at the crash scene. This document includes key details about the accident location, road conditions, weather conditions, and statements from all involved parties. The reporting officer gathers this information to create a fair account of the crash.
Without this official document, your insurance company might deny your claim or offer less than fair compensation. Insurance adjusters use these reports to figure out who was at fault, assess property damage, and review your injury claim. If you're hurt in a car accident, the police report will be one of your best tools when dealing with insurance carriers.
The report also captures witness statements, measurements from the accident scene, and any citations issued by police. This creates a clear picture of what happened, which helps when memories fade in the weeks after a crash.
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You can get your crash report in three main ways: ordering online, requesting by mail, or visiting a law enforcement agency in person. Each method works a bit differently in Utah and Idaho. Your best choice depends on how fast you need the report.
Getting your car accident report online is usually the fastest way. Both Utah and Idaho have online portals where you can search for and download your police crash report from home. This electronic option gives you 24/7 access without having to visit the police department.
The online portal gives you quick access to your police accident report, often minutes after payment. This speed matters when you need to file insurance claims quickly or talk to a personal injury lawyer about your case.
Before you pay, you can check if your crash report is in the system. Most online systems let you search using basic info like your name, driver's license number, or accident date. This free search confirms that the law enforcement officer has filed your report.
This search won't give you the full report, but it helps make sure you're about to order the right document. You might see limited details, such as the crash date, location, and report number.
Once you find your report, you'll pay a fee to see the full document. Utah charges $10-15, and Idaho has similar fees for official accident reports. You'll need to provide details like your driver's license number, the approximate time of the crash, and the exact accident location.
Most systems accept credit card transactions online. After payment, you'll get access to download your crash report directly to your device.
After paying, you'll go through checkout to finalize your order for the police accident report. The system checks that you're allowed to access the report since these documents have personal details about all involved drivers.
Once payment goes through, you'll get a confirmation email with download instructions. You'll usually have access for several business days so that you can save multiple copies.
After payment, you can download your report as a PDF file. Your crash report will have all relevant details from the reporting officer, including statements from drivers and witnesses. It will also show diagrams of the accident scene and notes about road conditions.
If you bought your report before but need it again, most online portals keep your purchase history. Using your email address and order number from your confirmation email, you can log back in to download more copies within 30 days in most cases.
If you lost your access info or your download time ran out, contact the records department. Most agencies keep crash data for years, though you might need to pay again for a new copy.
If you prefer paper forms or don't have internet access, you can request your accident report by mail. Fill out a request form with your personal information, accident details, and payment. Mail it to the right police agency for your crash report.
For Utah, send request forms by mail to the Department of Public Safety in Salt Lake City. Idaho requests go to the Idaho Transportation Department in Boise. Include a check for the fee (usually $10-15) and a self-addressed stamped envelope. This method takes 2-4 weeks for processing times.
Visiting a law enforcement agency in person might be your best choice if you need the report fast. This lets you ask questions about the report right away. You can get copies in person at many locations in Utah and Idaho.
Bring your driver's license, case number (if you have it), and payment for the fee. Most places take cash, check, and credit card payments for in-person requests. While it takes an hour to look for parking and wait in line, you'll usually get your report the same day.
Utah and Idaho have different rules for crash reports. Knowing these state-specific details will help you avoid delays when requesting your police accident report.
Utah requires crashes with injuries or property damage over $1,500 to be reported within 10 days. Idaho has similar accident reporting requirements but sets the property damage amount at $1,500. Both states make accident reports available to involved parties, their insurance company, and their accident attorneys.
In Utah, police officers must file their crash report forms within 10 days. If no police came to your accident scene, you must file a report yourself within the same time. Not reporting can lead to driver's license problems.
Idaho requires officers to file reports within 5 days, and drivers must report crashes not investigated by police within 10 days. Both states use these reports for traffic safety studies and insurance purposes.
Usually, police crash reports show up in the system within 3-5 business days in Utah. Idaho reports generally take 7-10 business days. However, crashes with severe injuries might take longer as the accident investigation team finishes their work.
If your report isn't ready when expected, call the police department directly. Sometimes, reports get delayed due to the workload of the police officer. A personal injury lawyer can often help speed up access to these documents.
Report fees vary by state and request method. Utah charges $10 for online reports and $15 for copies by mail. Idaho charges about $12 for most crash reports. You might pay more for certified crash copies if needed for legal proceedings.
Only certain people can access reports to protect privacy. Those who can legally get reports include:
Sometimes, no official accident report exists for your crash. This happens with minor accidents or when officers aren't called to the scene. If you're in this spot, there are still steps you can take.
First, contact the police department that covers the accident location. Sometimes, reports get filed under different names. Give them all the key details, including the precise location, date, and time of the crash.
If no report exists, you can often file your own report. Many states let drivers submit accident details directly through their Department of Motor Vehicles. While this won't be the same as an officer's report, it still creates an official record for insurance purposes.
A personal injury attorney can help you get your crash report, especially if you have trouble or notice mistakes in the report. Our experienced auto accident attorneys know how to quickly access police accident reports and can spot important details that might affect your case.
Personal injury lawyers also know how to challenge wrong information in the report. If the reporting officer makes mistakes about the crash scene or witness statements, your lawyer can help fix the record. This matters when errors might wrongly show who was at fault.
For accident victims with severe injuries, dealing with paperwork is hard during recovery. Our accident injury attorneys can handle this process while you focus on getting better. Since we work on contingency, there's no cost unless we win your case.
At BAM Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand how important accurate crash reports are for your case. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your auto accident and help you understand your options for compensation. Our experienced accident attorneys serve clients throughout Utah and Idaho.
Don't let insurance adjusters take advantage of you during this difficult time. Contact us today to learn how we can help protect your rights after a motor vehicle accident. Our personal injury lawyers will fight for the fair compensation you deserve for your medical expenses and other damages.
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