How do you get a car accident report in Massachusetts? You can request a copy of the report directly from the Registry of Motor Vehicles either online or by mail. You’ll have to provide some personal information and pay a search fee to get the report.
You can also work with a Boston car accident lawyer to obtain a copy of your accident report. Our team at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers can take over this legal process, giving you more time to focus on recovering after an accident.
You can learn more about the process 24/7 by calling or filling out our online contact form.
Who Provides a Massachusetts Car Accident Report?
You can request a copy of a police crash report directly from the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in Massachusetts. The RMV can access crash reports filed by police officers around the state.
Note that you must report your car accident to the police in order to generate an accident report in most cases. It’s essential that you notify the police after any collision resulting in property damage, injuries, or a fatality.
You May Also Request a Report from the State Police
Sometimes, individuals request information about an accident through a public records request to the state police. You should provide a description of the records you want and can submit an online request here.
You may also send an email to the Records Access Officer to request a copy of the car accident report.
This agency will perform four hours of work searching for public records at no cost. The agency may charge $25 an hour for each additional hour of time looking for the accident report.
Some Towns Offer Access to Car Accident Reports
Finally, some towns in Massachusetts, including Concord, allow you to request a copy of your police incident report online for free. You may also request a copy of the form in person in some towns. You can check your local area for this option.
How do You Get a Report from the RMV?
You can request a copy of your car accident report from the RMV online or through the mail. The RMV only accepts requests by mail from authorized permitted users and individuals who don’t have credentials issued by Massachusetts.
You must provide the RMV with specific information to request your report, including:
- Your driver’s license or learner’s permit number
- Your date of birth
- Your first and last anime
- Your Social Security Number (SSN)
- Your email address
If you qualify to request a copy of the accident report by mail, you’ll need to send the RMV a physical copy of a completed request form and a copy of your identification.
How Much does It Cost to Request a Massachusetts Car Accident Report?
You’ll have to pay a fee to request a copy of your car accident report online or by mail. You can expect to pay a $20 Crash Report Search Fee for each accident report you want to access.
The RMV will not refund this fee if you later decide you don’t want a copy of the accident report.
Who Can Request a Car Accident Report?
Only specific individuals involved in an accident can request a car collision report. Massachusetts will provide a report to:
- The vehicle operator
- The vehicle owner
- An occupant in the vehicle
- A vulnerable user (or non-motorist) involved in the accident
- Someone who witnessed the accident
- Anyone who experienced property damage from the accident
A Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) Permitted User may also request a copy of the report. Permitted users have to provide their username and the Crash Account ID number used by their organization. You do not need this information for a copy of your accident report.
When Can You Request a Car Accident Report?
The RMV recommends that you wait at least four weeks from the time of your accident to request an accident report. The information may not reach their systems immediately after a collision.
How Long does It Take to Get a Copy of Your Car Accident Report?
You can expect to wait around four weeks to receive a copy of a car accident report in Massachusetts. Due to delays in the system, the RMV does not always immediately find a copy of an accident report.
If the RMV cannot immediately locate your report, the organization will continue to search the database for 90 days from the time of your collision.
Why do You Need a Car Accident Report in Massachusetts?
A Boston personal injury lawyer can use the information in your car accident report while building your claim for compensation. The report contains official data from the police officer who responded to your accident.
Your lawyer may use the information in the report to back up your story about what happened in the accident. Lawyers use other types of evidence, including witness reports, photos, and surveillance footage, to further strengthen their case.
While you technically can file a car accident claim without a police report, having this document can make things much easier. Your attorney can provide more information about requesting the report and handle the request process on your behalf.
Work with Us to Get a Massachusetts Car Accident Report
How do you get a car accident report in Massachusetts? You can request a report from the RMV or hire a lawyer to take care of the process on your behalf. Our team at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers serves the local area and can help with your claim.
Find out more about securing fair compensation by calling or completing our online contact form.
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