Pennsylvania · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026
Reporting a car accident in Pennsylvania: 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 nearest police right away if anyone is hurt or killed, or if any vehicle is too damaged to be driven and needs towing. If police were required to investigate (injury, death or a tow-away) but did not, each driver must send a written crash report to PennDOT within 5 days.
- Your own report is due within
- 5 days
- Crash report copies
- Can be ordered online (see below)
- Law
- 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 3746, 3747
When to call the police in Pennsylvania
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 nearest police right away if anyone is hurt or killed, or if any vehicle is too damaged to be driven and needs towing. The officer must give each driver a signed statement that the crash was reported.
- Law
- 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 3746, 3747
- Official text
- Read the official text
Your own report to the state in Pennsylvania
- Your own report
- If police were required to investigate (injury, death or a tow-away) but did not, each driver must send a written crash report to PennDOT within 5 days.
- Deadline for your report
- 5 days
How to get a copy of the crash report in Pennsylvania
- For crashes worked by the Pennsylvania State Police: reports are available 15 days after the crash; the fee is $22.
- Request online, or mail form SP 7-0015 with a $22 money order or certified check (payable to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) to PA State Police, Crash Reports Unit, 1800 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110.
- For local police crashes, ask that department. https://www.pa.gov/services/psp/request-a-copy-of-a-vehicle-crash-report
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
- If police did not investigate an injury or tow-away crash, you must send PennDOT a written report within 5 days (75 Pa.C.S. § 3747).
Step by step after a crash in Pennsylvania
- Stop, help anyone who is hurt and call 911 if needed. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime.
- Call the police when Pennsylvania law requires it. Call the nearest police right away if anyone is hurt or killed, or if any vehicle is too damaged to be driven and needs towing.
- File your own report if the rule applies to you. If police were required to investigate (injury, death or a tow-away) but did not, each driver must send a written crash report to PennDOT within 5 days.
- Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
- Get a copy of the crash report. For crashes worked by the Pennsylvania State Police: reports are available 15 days after the crash; the fee is $22.
- Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.
Free help in Pennsylvania
Questions about reporting a crash in Pennsylvania
When do you have to call the police after a car accident in Pennsylvania?
Call the nearest police right away if anyone is hurt or killed, or if any vehicle is too damaged to be driven and needs towing. The officer must give each driver a signed statement that the crash was reported.
Do I have to file my own accident report in Pennsylvania?
If police were required to investigate (injury, death or a tow-away) but did not, each driver must send a written crash report to PennDOT within 5 days.
How do I get a copy of a crash report in Pennsylvania?
For crashes worked by the Pennsylvania State Police: reports are available 15 days after the crash; the fee is $22. Request online, or mail form SP 7-0015 with a $22 money order or certified check (payable to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) to PA State Police, Crash Reports Unit, 1800 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110. For local police crashes, ask that department. https://www.pa.gov/services/psp/request-a-copy-of-a-vehicle-crash-report
What is the deadline for an accident report in Pennsylvania?
If police were required to investigate (injury, death or a tow-away) but did not, each driver must send a written crash report to PennDOT within 5 days.
More for Pennsylvania drivers
- All car accident rules in Pennsylvania
- 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
- 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 3746, 3747
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 3746 (notice to police)
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1702 (financial responsibility amounts)
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1705 (tort options)
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1711 (required medical benefit)
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1731 (UM/UIM offer)
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1753 (Assigned Claims Plan benefits)
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1786 (penalties)
- 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102 (comparative negligence)
- 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 (two years)
- 42 Pa.C.S. § 5522 (notice to government unit)
- 31 Pa. Code § 146.5
- 31 Pa. Code § 146.7
- PSP: Request a copy of a vehicle crash report
- PA Insurance Department: complaints, questions, help
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.