Nebraska · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026

Reporting a car accident in Nebraska: 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

Nebraska law doesn't say you must call police for every crash. If no law enforcement officer investigated, and anyone was hurt or killed or any one person's property damage is $2,000 or more, every driver involved must file a Driver's Motor Vehicle Crash Report with the Nebraska Department of Transportation within 10 days.

Damage that requires a report
$2,000
Your own report is due within
10 days
Crash report copies
Can be ordered online (see below)
Law
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-696, 60-697, 60-699

When to call the police in Nebraska

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
Nebraska law doesn't say you must call police for every crash. You must stop, give your name, address, phone and license number to the other driver or property owner, and help anyone hurt (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-696, 60-697). If you hit an unattended car or property, leave a note with that information and report it to police without unnecessary delay (§ 60-696(2)). If a peace officer investigates, you don't need to file your own report.
Damage amount
$2,000
Law
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-696, 60-697, 60-699
Official text
Read the official text

Your own report to the state in Nebraska

Your own report
If no law enforcement officer investigated, and anyone was hurt or killed or any one person's property damage is $2,000 or more, every driver involved must file a Driver's Motor Vehicle Crash Report with the Nebraska Department of Transportation within 10 days. You can file it online at NDOT's Driver Crash Reporting website or by mail. (On Oct. 24, 2026, NDOT said the online form was down for maintenance; the mail form still works: Highway Safety, NDOT, P.O. Box 94759, Lincoln, NE 68509-4759.)
Deadline for your report
10 days

How to get a copy of the crash report in Nebraska

  • An officer's crash report is public in Nebraska.
  • Buy a certified copy from NDOT for $13 plus tax, online, by mail or in person.
  • By mail: NDOT Highway Safety, P.O. Box 94759, Lincoln, NE 68509 (call 402-479-4645 for the tax amount). https://dot.nebraska.gov/safety/crash-reporting/

Nebraska 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 Nebraska

  • Officers' crash reports are public records in Nebraska, but driver-filed reports are not (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-699(4)).

Step by step after a crash in Nebraska

  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 Nebraska law requires it. Nebraska law doesn't say you must call police for every crash.
  3. File your own report if the rule applies to you. If no law enforcement officer investigated, and anyone was hurt or killed or any one person's property damage is $2,000 or more, every driver involved must file a Driver's Motor Vehicle Crash Report with the Nebraska Department of Transportation within 10 days.
  4. Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
  5. Get a copy of the crash report. An officer's crash report is public in Nebraska.
  6. Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.

Free help in Nebraska

Questions about reporting a crash in Nebraska

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

Nebraska law doesn't say you must call police for every crash. You must stop, give your name, address, phone and license number to the other driver or property owner, and help anyone hurt (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-696, 60-697). If you hit an unattended car or property, leave a note with that information and report it to police without unnecessary delay (§ 60-696(2)). If a peace officer investigates, you don't need to file your own report.

How much damage has to be reported in Nebraska?

If no law enforcement officer investigated, and anyone was hurt or killed or any one person's property damage is $2,000 or more, every driver involved must file a Driver's Motor Vehicle Crash Report with the Nebraska Department of Transportation within 10 days.

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

If no law enforcement officer investigated, and anyone was hurt or killed or any one person's property damage is $2,000 or more, every driver involved must file a Driver's Motor Vehicle Crash Report with the Nebraska Department of Transportation within 10 days. You can file it online at NDOT's Driver Crash Reporting website or by mail. (On Oct. 24, 2026, NDOT said the online form was down for maintenance; the mail form still works: Highway Safety, NDOT, P.O. Box 94759, Lincoln, NE 68509-4759.)

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

An officer's crash report is public in Nebraska. Buy a certified copy from NDOT for $13 plus tax, online, by mail or in person. By mail: NDOT Highway Safety, P.O. Box 94759, Lincoln, NE 68509 (call 402-479-4645 for the tax amount). https://dot.nebraska.gov/safety/crash-reporting/

What is the deadline for an accident report in Nebraska?

If no law enforcement officer investigated, and anyone was hurt or killed or any one person's property damage is $2,000 or more, every driver involved must file a Driver's Motor Vehicle Crash Report with the Nebraska Department of Transportation within 10 days.

More for Nebraska drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.