How to Get a Police Report After an Accident in Massachusetts

If you’ve been in a car accident in Massachusetts, one of the first questions you might have, after making sure everyone’s safe, is: “How do I get a copy of the police report?”

It might not seem urgent in the first few days after a crash, but that report can make a big difference in your injury claim. Insurance companies rely on it and your car accident lawyer will use it to build your case. Here’s what you need to know about getting a police report in Massachusetts, step by step, from the experienced car accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan.

Why is the police report so important after a Massachusetts car accident?

A police report is important for a number of reasons, such as:

• It documents the basics, like date, time, location, weather, and road conditions.
• It records what happened. The responding officer usually notes vehicle positions, damage, and any obvious violations.
• It includes witness statements and contact information.
• It might list citations, like if the other driver was ticketed, that can strengthen your claim.
• It creates an official record. Without a report, you’re left relying on memory, which insurance companies love to challenge.

Even if the report isn’t perfect (and they rarely are), it gives our car accident lawyers a starting point for investigating and gathering more evidence.

What’s in a Massachusetts accident report?

While each department’s forms may vary slightly, most Massachusetts police accident reports include:

• Date, time, and location of the crash
• Names, addresses, and contact info for all drivers and passengers
• Insurance details for all drivers
• Witness names and statements
• Description of damage to each vehicle
• Diagram of the accident scene
• The officer’s narrative of what happened
• Any citations issued

This information helps our lawyers connect the dots between the crash and your injuries.

Step 1. Determine which police department responded

Before you can get the report, you need to know who wrote it. In Massachusetts, that could be:

• A local police department, for example, the Brockton Police Department, if the crash happened within city limits.
• Massachusetts State Police, if the accident happened on a highway or state road.
• A campus or special jurisdiction police force, which is less common, but possible if it occurred in certain areas.

If you’re not sure, check any paperwork the officer gave you at the scene, or call the non-emergency line for the local department.

Step 2. Know when the report will be available

Police officers don’t file reports instantly. In most Massachusetts departments, it can take three to ten business days for the report to be processed and ready for release. If there was a serious injury or investigation involved, it might take longer.

Calling too early can be frustrating. You’ll likely be told to “check back later.” If you need the report quickly, ask the officer at the scene for an estimate on when it will be filed, or speak to our Brockton car accident lawyers to see if we can help.

Step 3. Request the report

There are three main ways to get your police report in Massachusetts.

Online

Many departments use online portals where you can search for and purchase accident reports. You’ll usually need:

• The date of the accident
• The location
• Your name or the driver’s name
• A small fee (usually around $20, but can vary)

In person

If you prefer to handle things face-to-face, you can visit the records division of the police department during business hours. Bring:

• A photo ID
• Any accident info you have (date, location, officer’s name)
• Payment for the report fee (cash, check, or credit, depending on the department)

This can be the fastest method if you live nearby.

By mail

If you can’t go in person, you can request the report by mail. You’ll need to send:

• A written request with the date, time, and location of the crash
• The names of the drivers involved
• A check or money order for the report fee
• A self-addressed stamped envelope

Mail requests take longer, sometimes a few weeks, so this probably isn’t the best option if you’re in a hurry.

Step 4. Review the report carefully

Once you have the report, read it closely. Look for things like:

• Incorrect details, like the wrong location or vehicle description.
• Omissions, including missing witness names, missing road condition notes, etc.
• Statements about fault. The police officer may include opinions or notes on violations.

Even small mistakes can matter in an insurance claim. If you spot an error, let our car accident lawyers know right away so we can address it.

How do insurance companies use police reports?

Insurance adjusters in Massachusetts treat the police report as an important piece of the puzzle. They may:

• Use it to determine fault early on
• Rely on it to set claim reserves (the amount they expect to pay)
• Question you about discrepancies between your statement and the report

That’s why getting the report early and sharing it with your car accident lawyer is so important. It gives our legal team time to prepare for how the insurance company will use it.

What if the police report is wrong or missing?

Police reports aren’t perfect. Sometimes an officer misunderstands what happened or leaves out key details. While you usually can’t “change” a report, you can:

• Request a supplemental statement. Some departments may let you submit your own version of events, which gets attached to the report.
• Gather additional evidence. Photos, videos, and witness statements can all help counter mistakes in the report.
• Rely on expert testimony. Our lawyers may hire accident reconstruction experts to challenge the officer’s conclusions.

If no report was filed (rare, but it can happen), our lawyers will focus on other forms of proof.

How can your Massachusetts car accident lawyers help with the process?

While you can get a police report on your own, having a car accident lawyer on your side makes things easier, especially if you’re dealing with injuries and medical treatment. Your lawyer can:

• Request the report on your behalf
• Analyze it for strengths and weaknesses
• Gather other evidence to fill in the gaps
• Use it to negotiate with the insurance company
• Prepare for trial if needed

More importantly, our lawyers can explain how the report fits into your overall claim strategy.

Remember, the police report provides an official, unbiased record of what happened and plays a key role in insurance claims and legal actions. If you run into errors or need help working your way through the process, an experienced car accident lawyer can be your strongest advocate. At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we dedicate our practice to helping Massachusetts drivers recover the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you. To schedule your free consultation, call our Brockton offices or fill out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you with your case.