A police report is one of the most useful documents you can have after a crash because it is a record of the fact that the accident took place, and also provides information that the police officer thought was important. This often includes the date and time, location, people involved, witness information, whether anyone received a traffic citation, the officer’s observations about the scene, road conditions, and statements made, and sometimes a diagram of how they understand the accident to have happened.
Police reports aren’t the determining factor in who is considered to be at fault, but insurance companies do give these documents weight when they’re investigating your claim. A St. Louis auto crash lawyer will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call our firm at (314) 300-6260 today.
Who Do You Contact for a St. Louis Car Accident Report?
The right agency depends on where your crash happened and who responded to it. In the St. Louis area, that generally means one of three agencies. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department handles crashes within the city limits.
The St. Louis County Police Department maintains reports for crashes its officers handled in the county. And the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigates crashes on certain interstates and state highways, so if a trooper responded to your accident, MSHP has the report. If you’re not sure who responded, the location of the crash and any paperwork the officer gave you at the scene are the best starting points.
How Do You Get a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Accident Report?
For crashes investigated by SLMPD within city limits, you have several options. The fastest route is submitting your request online through the SLMPD Public Records portal. Their “Express Pick-up” option notifies you when your records are ready, and you then appear with a photo ID and payment to get them. You can also request in person at the Records Service Center at 1915 Olive Street, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or call the police reports line at 314-444-5551.
The report costs 10 cents per page in copying fees plus prorated staff time to locate the report ($15 per hour). A crash report request is usually less than $5.
How Do You Get a St. Louis County Police Accident Report?
For crashes handled by county police, requests go through the St. Louis County Central Police Records Unit at 7900 Forsyth Blvd in Clayton, open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays. Reports are available ten days after the reported incident. You can obtain a copy by appearing in person or by mailing your request, which must be notarized. If you go in person, bring a photo ID.
Because of statutory requirements, the Records Unit needs to know how you’re involved and why you’re requesting the report. Acceptable reasons include being the driver or a family member (for traffic accidents), the victim, an attorney for the victim, an insurance company, or a property owner. When making your request, be sure to include the report number, the reason you’re obtaining the report, and your relationship to the incident.
A notarized application form can be downloaded from their website or picked up in person. If you have questions, you can call the Records Unit at (314) 615-5317.
How Do You Get a Missouri State Highway Patrol Crash Report?
If a state trooper investigated your crash, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has your report. They charge a $6.00 fee for each crash report, payable by check or money order made out to DPS – Missouri State Highway Patrol. You cannot pay with cash. Wait at least 10 days from the date of the crash investigation before submitting your request.
To make the request, complete the records request form through the Patrol’s online records portal, then forward it either to the troop headquarters for the area where your crash occurred or to the Patrol Records Division by mail (P.O. Box 568, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102, Attention: Traffic Crash Reports).
If you’ve been involved in a car accident and you’re trying to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit, the attorney you’re working with can also help you get this report.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team online or call (314) 300-6260 to schedule a free consultation.