Kentucky · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026

Reporting a car accident in Kentucky: 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, help anyone hurt, and give your plate number and names and addresses of the owner, occupants and driver if asked. If anyone was hurt or killed, or total property damage is $500 or more, and no officer investigated, you must file a written report with the Kentucky State Police within 10 days.

Damage that requires a report: $500
Your own report is due within: 10 days
Crash report copies: Can be ordered online (see below)
Law: KRS 189.580(1), (2), (6), (7)

When to call the police in Kentucky

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, help anyone hurt, and give your plate number and names and addresses of the owner, occupants and driver if asked. Call 911 or police right away if anyone is killed or visibly hurt, or a vehicle cannot be driven. If you hit an unattended car, find the owner, leave a note with your name, address and plate number, or report it to local police.
Damage amount: $500
Law: KRS 189.580(1), (2), (6), (7); 502 KAR 15:010
Official text: Read the official text

Your own report to the state in Kentucky

Your own report: If anyone was hurt or killed, or total property damage is $500 or more, and no officer investigated, you must file a written report with the Kentucky State Police within 10 days. You can use KSP's online Civilian Collision Report: https://kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/civilian-collision-reports/ (questions: [email protected]).
Deadline for your report: 10 days

How to get a copy of the crash report in Kentucky

The agency whose officer wrote the report provides copies.
Collision reports are released only to people allowed by law, such as the parties involved, their lawyers and insurers (KRS 189.635).
Kentucky State Police reports cost $10 online (KSP links to BuyCrash.com for this) or $5 for a paper copy (502 KAR 15:010).
For a paper copy or other records, send a written open records request to the KSP Public Records Branch, 1266 Louisville Road, Frankfort, KY 40601, 502-782-1873. https://kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/open-records-requests/

Kentucky 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 Kentucky

If no officer investigates a crash with injury or $500+ damage, the driver must report it to KSP within 10 days (KRS 189.580(7)).

Step by step after a crash in Kentucky

Stop, help anyone who is hurt and call 911 if needed. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime.
Call the police when Kentucky law requires it. Stop, help anyone hurt, and give your plate number and names and addresses of the owner, occupants and driver if asked.
File your own report if the rule applies to you. If anyone was hurt or killed, or total property damage is $500 or more, and no officer investigated, you must file a written report with the Kentucky State Police within 10 days.
Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
Get a copy of the crash report. The agency whose officer wrote the report provides copies.
Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.

Free help in Kentucky

Questions about reporting a crash in Kentucky

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

Stop, help anyone hurt, and give your plate number and names and addresses of the owner, occupants and driver if asked. Call 911 or police right away if anyone is killed or visibly hurt, or a vehicle cannot be driven. If you hit an unattended car, find the owner, leave a note with your name, address and plate number, or report it to local police.

How much damage has to be reported in Kentucky?

If anyone was hurt or killed, or total property damage is $500 or more, and no officer investigated, you must file a written report with the Kentucky State Police within 10 days.

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

If anyone was hurt or killed, or total property damage is $500 or more, and no officer investigated, you must file a written report with the Kentucky State Police within 10 days. You can use KSP's online Civilian Collision Report: https://kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/civilian-collision-reports/ (questions: [email protected]).

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

The agency whose officer wrote the report provides copies. Collision reports are released only to people allowed by law, such as the parties involved, their lawyers and insurers (KRS 189.635). Kentucky State Police reports cost $10 online (KSP links to BuyCrash.com for this) or $5 for a paper copy (502 KAR 15:010). For a paper copy or other records, send a written open records request to the KSP Public Records Branch, 1266 Louisville Road, Frankfort, KY 40601, 502-782-1873. https://kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/open-records-requests/

What is the deadline for an accident report in Kentucky?