Kansas · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026

Reporting a car accident in Kansas: 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

If no officer is at the scene, you (or an adult passenger) must report the crash right away, by the quickest means, to the nearest police authority if anyone is hurt or killed, damage looks like $1,000 or more, or the other people involved can't receive your information. Kansas has no standing driver crash report form.

Damage that requires a report
$1,000
Crash report copies
Can be ordered online (see below)
Law
K.S.A. 8-1604, 8-1607, 8-1611

When to call the police in Kansas

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
If no officer is at the scene, you (or an adult passenger) must report the crash right away, by the quickest means, to the nearest police authority if anyone is hurt or killed, damage looks like $1,000 or more, or the other people involved can't receive your information. At the scene, give your name, address, plate number, insurance company and policy number to the other people involved and to police.
Damage amount
$1,000
Law
K.S.A. 8-1604, 8-1607, 8-1611 (driver report law K.S.A. 8-1606 was repealed in 2011)
Official text
Read the official text

Your own report to the state in Kansas

Your own report
Kansas has no standing driver crash report form. The police officer who investigates a crash with injury, death or $1,000+ damage sends the report to the Kansas Department of Transportation within 10 days. The Division of Vehicles may ask a driver or owner for a written report when it needs one.

How to get a copy of the crash report in Kansas

Kansas 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.

Step by step after a crash in Kansas

  1. Stop, help anyone who is hurt and call 911 if needed. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime.
  2. Call the police when Kansas law requires it. If no officer is at the scene, you (or an adult passenger) must report the crash right away, by the quickest means, to the nearest police authority if anyone is hurt or killed, damage looks like $1,000 or more, or the other people involved can't receive your information.
  3. File your own report if the rule applies to you. Kansas has no standing driver crash report form.
  4. Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
  5. Get a copy of the crash report. For crashes worked by the Kansas Highway Patrol, order the official crash report through the KHP Records Portal, in person, or by written request to KHP Records in Topeka.
  6. Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.

Free help in Kansas

Questions about reporting a crash in Kansas

When do you have to call the police after a car accident in Kansas?

If no officer is at the scene, you (or an adult passenger) must report the crash right away, by the quickest means, to the nearest police authority if anyone is hurt or killed, damage looks like $1,000 or more, or the other people involved can't receive your information. At the scene, give your name, address, plate number, insurance company and policy number to the other people involved and to police.

How much damage has to be reported in Kansas?

If no officer is at the scene, you (or an adult passenger) must report the crash right away, by the quickest means, to the nearest police authority if anyone is hurt or killed, damage looks like $1,000 or more, or the other people involved can't receive your information. The police officer who investigates a crash with injury, death or $1,000+ damage sends the report to the Kansas Department of Transportation within 10 days.

Do I have to file my own accident report in Kansas?

Kansas has no standing driver crash report form. The police officer who investigates a crash with injury, death or $1,000+ damage sends the report to the Kansas Department of Transportation within 10 days. The Division of Vehicles may ask a driver or owner for a written report when it needs one.

How do I get a copy of a crash report in Kansas?

For crashes worked by the Kansas Highway Patrol, order the official crash report through the KHP Records Portal, in person, or by written request to KHP Records in Topeka. The fee is $5 per crash report. Give the case number, date, location and names. The KHP online crash log shows preliminary injury and fatal crash information for up to 14 days. For crashes worked by city police or a sheriff, ask that agency. Official page: https://kansashighwaypatrol.gov/find-a-troop/troop-location-map/general-headquarters/legal-counsel/records-2/

More for Kansas drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.