Indiana · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026
Reporting a car accident in Indiana: police, state report and crash report copies
When to call the police or file your own report, and how to get the crash report.
Short answer
Stop, stay at the scene, give your name, address and plate number to anyone involved, and show your driver's license. Drivers do not file their own crash report.
- Crash report copies
- Can be ordered online (see below)
- Law
- IC 9-26-1-1.1(a)
When to call the police in Indiana
Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.
- When to call the police
- Stop, stay at the scene, give your name, address and plate number to anyone involved, and show your driver's license. If anyone is hurt or killed, help as directed and make sure police (city police inside a city; otherwise the sheriff or nearest State Police post) or 911 are told right away. If you hit an unattended car or other property and cannot find the owner, call police. Police must investigate any crash with injury, death or apparent property damage of at least $2,500.
- Law
- IC 9-26-1-1.1(a); IC 9-26-2-1; IC 9-25-5-2; IC 9-25-2-1.4; IC 9-25-6-3
- Official text
- Read the official text
Your own report to the state in Indiana
- Your own report
- Drivers do not file their own crash report. Within 45 days after the BMV gets a police crash report, it asks every driver named in it, whatever the fault, for proof of insurance. Your insurer must file a Certificate of Compliance (COC) within 90 days of the BMV's request, or your license and/or registration is suspended.
How to get a copy of the crash report in Indiana
- Indiana State Police keeps all Indiana crash reports in a central repository and sells electronic copies for a small fee through BuyCrash (www.BuyCrash.com). https://www.in.gov/isp/crash-reports/
Indiana has an online way to get at least some crash reports. Reports written by a city police department or sheriff may have to be requested from that agency; our free request letter can help.
More facts for Indiana
- After any crash the BMV learns about from a police report, each driver must show proof of insurance through a Certificate of Compliance filed by their insurer within 90 days, or lose their license (IC 9-25-5-2, 9-25-6-3; Indiana BMV).
Step by step after a crash in Indiana
- Stop, help anyone who is hurt and call 911 if needed. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime.
- Call the police when Indiana law requires it. Stop, stay at the scene, give your name, address and plate number to anyone involved, and show your driver's license.
- File your own report if the rule applies to you. Drivers do not file their own crash report.
- Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
- Get a copy of the crash report. Indiana State Police keeps all Indiana crash reports in a central repository and sells electronic copies for a small fee through BuyCrash (www.BuyCrash.com). https://www.in.gov/isp/crash-reports/
- Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.
Free help in Indiana
Questions about reporting a crash in Indiana
When do you have to call the police after a car accident in Indiana?
Stop, stay at the scene, give your name, address and plate number to anyone involved, and show your driver's license. If anyone is hurt or killed, help as directed and make sure police (city police inside a city; otherwise the sheriff or nearest State Police post) or 911 are told right away. If you hit an unattended car or other property and cannot find the owner, call police. Police must investigate any crash with injury, death or apparent property damage of at least $2,500.
Do I have to file my own accident report in Indiana?
Drivers do not file their own crash report. Within 45 days after the BMV gets a police crash report, it asks every driver named in it, whatever the fault, for proof of insurance. Your insurer must file a Certificate of Compliance (COC) within 90 days of the BMV's request, or your license and/or registration is suspended.
How do I get a copy of a crash report in Indiana?
Indiana State Police keeps all Indiana crash reports in a central repository and sells electronic copies for a small fee through BuyCrash (www.BuyCrash.com). https://www.in.gov/isp/crash-reports/
More for Indiana drivers
- All car accident rules in Indiana
- Comparative fault
- Uninsured driver
- Deadline to sue
- Accident reporting requirements in every state
- What to do after a car accident
- Fault and payout explainer
- Deadline calculator
- Insurance claim letter
- Police report request letter
Nearby states
- IC 9-26-1-1.1(a); IC 9-26-2-1; IC 9-25-5-2; IC 9-25-2-1.4; IC 9-25-6-3
- Indiana Department of Insurance: Auto insurance
- Indiana State Police: Crash reports
- Indiana Code 2026, Title 9 (IC 9-25, 9-26) (official PDF)
- Indiana Code 2026, Title 27 (IC 27-4-1-4.5, 27-7-5-2) (official PDF)
- Indiana Code 2026, Title 34 (IC 34-11-2-4, 34-13-3, 34-51-2) (official PDF)
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.