Records are created for almost everything that happens, especially when local, state, or federal governments are involved. The same is true for accident reports. These are reports that are created after drivers get into an accident, and the reports contain detailed records and accounts of the event.
But are accident reports public record? The short answer is absolutely, but that doesn’t give you the whole story. Keep reading to uncover the full scope of what’s available and what’s not.
What is an Accident Report?
Accident reports, simply put, are comprehensive documents that detail the facts and circumstances surrounding an accident. Typically, this pertains to a motor vehicle accident, although in some cases it may refer to something happening while someone is working.
Depending on the report, lots of information may be included, but sometimes it’s kept private, especially if there is an ongoing case.
What Information Can Be Found in an Accident Report?
Accident reports contain lots of information about an incident. More often than not, you’ll find that an accident report will include:
- The location, date, and time that an accident occurred
- The people who were involved in an accident
- Property details and information about vehicles; this includes the make, model, engine size, and more
- The damage to the vehicle
- Whether or not weather played a role in an accident
- An in-depth report of how the event unfolded
- Officers and investigators involved in reporting the accident; this includes their badge numbers, citations issued, and any initial findings
Depending on the accident report, some details may not be available. Also, some states have different laws surrounding the information that’s available and when it becomes available.
Are Accident Reports Public Record?
Yes, accident reports are public records. At least, they become public records. Accident reports aren’t usually available to the public right away, and there is generally a 30-60-day waiting period before the records become available.
For this reason, it helps to know some basic information about an accident, like when it happened, before you begin your search. What’s more, it helps to know where an accident happened so you can leverage the appropriate local systems to view an accident report.
The only exception to this rule is if you’re a lawyer working a case about an accident or if you’re the driver involved in an accident.
How to Find an Accident Report
Are you ready to find an accident report? If so, we have a couple of options for you below.
UnMask
When it comes to finding accident reports or any other public records, you can’t go wrong with UnMask. You don’t need to worry about knowing exactly when or where an accident happened, because UnMask combs through billions of records until a match is found. All you need to do is enter someone’s first and last name into the public record search tool.
From there, UnMask will reveal all available public records associated with someone. This includes an accident report, sure, but you can also find phone records, address information, criminal records, and much more.
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Records associated with an accident are usually kept with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. You may be able to run a search online if you have details about the case.
Of course, you can always visit in person or file a mail request. Depending on when an accident happened, you may have to wait before you can view the records.
Local Courts
If an accident report led to a court case, the courthouse where the case occurred is a good place to start. Police departments may also house these records.
Depending on the organization, you may be able to find the information online. In many cases, you’ll need to know the name of the person or have the case number available.
Are Accident Reports Public Record? The Verdict
So, are accident reports public record? Ultimately, yes, but not right away. Unless you’re the driver or someone who was involved with the accident, access to these records is often limited for around one to two months.
For this reason, we always recommend you start with a simple online public record search with a tool like UnMask. You don’t have to make a trip to the DMV and you can begin the process in about five minutes.