New Jersey · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026

Reporting a car accident in New Jersey: 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

Call the police right away (local police, county police or State Police) if anyone is hurt or killed or damage to any one person's property is over $500. By law the driver must also send a written report within 10 days, unless a police officer files a report of the crash.

Damage that requires a report
$500
Your own report is due within
10 days
Crash report copies
Can be ordered online (see below)
Law
N.J.S.A. 39:4-130

When to call the police in New Jersey

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
Call the police right away (local police, county police or State Police) if anyone is hurt or killed or damage to any one person's property is over $500. If the driver can't, a passenger who can must do it.
Damage amount
$500
Law
N.J.S.A. 39:4-130; NJDOT Self-Reporting Crash form (SR-1) page
Official text
Read the official text

Your own report to the state in New Jersey

Your own report
By law the driver must also send a written report within 10 days, unless a police officer files a report of the crash. In practice, if the police did not investigate, use the Self-Reporting Crash form (SR-1), sent to the NJ Department of Transportation by mail or online. Not reporting can bring a $30-$100 fine and suspension of your driving and registration privileges. These driver reports are not public and can't be used as evidence at trial.
Deadline for your report
10 days

How to get a copy of the crash report in New Jersey

  • For crashes handled by the New Jersey State Police (including the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway), buy the NJTR-1 crash report online at the NJSP & Turnpike Authority Crash Report portal (https://www.njportal.com/NJSP/CrashReports).
  • Non-toll road reports cost $13, toll road reports $5, and serious/fatal investigation reports $20.
  • Reports are kept for 6 years.
  • For a local police crash, ask that town's police department.

New Jersey 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 New Jersey

  • Driver self-reports (SR-1) are not public records and are not admissible as evidence at trial (form SR-1).

Step by step after a crash in New Jersey

  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 New Jersey law requires it. Call the police right away (local police, county police or State Police) if anyone is hurt or killed or damage to any one person's property is over $500.
  3. File your own report if the rule applies to you. By law the driver must also send a written report within 10 days, unless a police officer files a report of the crash.
  4. Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
  5. Get a copy of the crash report. For crashes handled by the New Jersey State Police (including the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway), buy the NJTR-1 crash report online at the NJSP & Turnpike Authority Crash Report portal (https://www.njportal.com/NJSP/CrashReports).
  6. Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.

Free help in New Jersey

Questions about reporting a crash in New Jersey

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

Call the police right away (local police, county police or State Police) if anyone is hurt or killed or damage to any one person's property is over $500. If the driver can't, a passenger who can must do it.

How much damage has to be reported in New Jersey?

Call the police right away (local police, county police or State Police) if anyone is hurt or killed or damage to any one person's property is over $500. Not reporting can bring a $30-$100 fine and suspension of your driving and registration privileges.

Do I have to file my own accident report in New Jersey?

By law the driver must also send a written report within 10 days, unless a police officer files a report of the crash. In practice, if the police did not investigate, use the Self-Reporting Crash form (SR-1), sent to the NJ Department of Transportation by mail or online. Not reporting can bring a $30-$100 fine and suspension of your driving and registration privileges. These driver reports are not public and can't be used as evidence at trial.

How do I get a copy of a crash report in New Jersey?

For crashes handled by the New Jersey State Police (including the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway), buy the NJTR-1 crash report online at the NJSP & Turnpike Authority Crash Report portal (https://www.njportal.com/NJSP/CrashReports). Non-toll road reports cost $13, toll road reports $5, and serious/fatal investigation reports $20. Reports are kept for 6 years. For a local police crash, ask that town's police department.

What is the deadline for an accident report in New Jersey?

By law the driver must also send a written report within 10 days, unless a police officer files a report of the crash.

More for New Jersey drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.