Can you get someone else’s accident report? In many cases, yes, but it depends on the state and the agency, since access rules vary. People with a direct connection to the crash, such as those involved, their insurers, and their attorneys, are usually granted access, while broader public access depends on whether the state treats crash reports as public records.
Crash reports sit at the intersection of public record law and personal privacy, which is why the answer is not a flat yes or no. Knowing where you fall in that picture makes it easier to understand what you can request and how.
Who Is Usually Allowed to Request a Report
Most agencies grant ready access to people with a clear stake in the crash. That typically includes the drivers and passengers involved, registered vehicle owners, the insurers handling the claims, and the attorneys representing any party. These requesters can usually get a full copy with little friction.
Beyond that inner circle, access narrows. A neighbor or acquaintance curious about a crash will not always qualify for the same full copy, especially where the report contains personal details. The closer your connection to the incident, the more straightforward the request tends to be.
When Crash Reports Are Public Records
Some states treat completed crash reports as public records, meaning a wider range of people can request them. In those states, an agency may release a report to a general requester, though it sometimes redacts personal information like license numbers, addresses, and dates of birth before handing it over.
Other states restrict access more tightly, limiting full copies to involved parties and their representatives. Because these rules differ so much, the agency that holds the report is the authority on what it can release to whom. Reviewing what accident reports contain helps you understand which details might be redacted in a third-party copy.
How Third-Party Access Typically Works
When someone outside the crash requests a report, agencies often ask the requester to state their relationship to the incident or their reason for the request. Some require a signed form, and a few limit certain releases to insurers and attorneys acting on a party’s behalf.
Privacy laws shape this process. A federal law restricts the release of personal information drawn from motor vehicle records, and agencies weigh that against public-records obligations when deciding what to release. The practical result is that a third party may receive a redacted version rather than the complete report.
| Requester type | Typical access |
|---|---|
| Party to the crash | Full copy, usually straightforward |
| Insurer or attorney | Full copy on behalf of a party |
| General public | Varies; often redacted or limited |
What You Need to Request Another Person’s Report
If you are eligible to request a report you were not part of, the agency still needs enough detail to locate it. Provide the date and location of the crash and the name of at least one person involved. The report or case number searches far faster if you can obtain it.
Be ready to explain your connection or purpose, since some agencies require it for third-party requests. If your request is denied because of access rules, the agency can usually tell you what category of requester does qualify. If you would rather not navigate it alone, we can help you request the report and find out which agency holds it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a copy of someone else’s accident report?
Often yes, but it depends on the state and agency. Involved parties, insurers, and attorneys usually have access, while public access varies by state law.
Are car accident reports public records?
In some states, they are public records available to a wider range of requesters, sometimes with personal details redacted. Other states limit access to involved parties.
Do I need a reason to request another person’s report?
Some agencies ask third-party requesters to state their relationship to the crash or their purpose, while others release reports more broadly under public-records rules.
Will personal information be redacted from a third-party copy?
It can be. Agencies often remove details like license numbers, addresses, and dates of birth before releasing a report to someone outside the crash.
What information do I need to request someone else’s report?
The crash date and location, and the name of at least one person involved. A report or case number makes the request much faster.
Help Requesting the Right Report
Sorting out who can access a report and which agency holds it can be confusing. Local Accident Reports offers free help, available at any hour, identifying the responding agency and submitting a request.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Content reviewed by Hernan Beresnak, Lead Editor, Local Accident Reports.
The information provided by Local Accident Reports is for general informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Local Accident Reports is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. Use of this website does not create an attorney-client relationship.
