How to Read Your Massachusetts Car Accident Crash Report

Being in a car accident is never fun. If the police came to the accident location in Massachusetts, it is likely that a Police Crash Report was created by the Police Officer at the scene, laying out the details of your accident.

Unfortunately, Police Crash Reports can be difficult to understand the exact terms, descriptions, and code numbers used by the officer, and you are wondering how to read your Massachusetts Police Crash Report.

At Cava Law Firm, our experienced attorneys will help you understand how to read your Massachusetts car accident crash report by identifying the important aspects and explaining what everything means.

For more information, call us today at (413) 737-3430 or (413) 781-CAVA (2282) for a free consultation.

Do I Need to Get a Police Report in Massachusetts?

If you’ve been involved in an accident in Massachusetts, you may need to get a copy of the official police crash report from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. This document is often essential for insurance claims, legal actions, or just having an accurate record of the incident. Here’s everything you need to know about requesting a copy.

If you are involved in a minor accident, it is not required to get a police report. But if your car accident involved any of the following, you must report it within five days of the crash:

• A death;
• Any meaningful injury; or
• Property or vehicle damage over $1,000.

It is generally best to report your accident, even if it does not seem particularly serious. Nearly any amount of damage will cost at least $1,000. If two cars are involved, it only takes $500 worth of damage on each vehicle to pass that threshold, since there is no way to accurately determine the value of the damage to either vehicle.

How Do I Get a Police Crash Report in Massachusetts?

There are two primary ways to request a police crash report in Massachusetts: online or by mail.

Requesting Online

To request a report online, you’ll need the following information if you were involved in the crash:

• Your driver’s license or learner’s permit number
• Your first and last name
• Your date of birth
• Your Social Security Number (SSN)
• Your email address for confirmation and communication
• The $20 fee

If you’re a DPPA Permitted User (for example, an insurer or legal representative), you’ll also need your Crash Account ID number (provided by the RMV) and your username, which is your email address. You can begin the process by selecting “Request Crash Report” in the Reports Section of your myRMV Online Service Center account.

Requesting by Mail

If you don’t have a Massachusetts-issued credential or fall under the category of DPPA users or Authorized Recipients without access to the Crash Program, you can submit your request by mail. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

• Complete the appropriate crash report request form.
• Include a copy of your identification, such as a driver’s license or state-issued ID.
• Prepare payment in the form of a check or money order for $20, made payable to MassDOT.
• Mail everything to the following address:

Registry of Motor Vehicles
Crash Records
P.O. Box 55889
Boston, MA 02205

Additional Information 

• Processing times may take up to four weeks, so be patient while your request is reviewed.
• If you encounter any complications or need assistance with the process, a lawyer familiar with Massachusetts car accident cases can guide you.
• Always double-check that your information is accurate to avoid delays.

By collecting your crash report, you’re one step closer to making a claim, resolving legal issues, or simply gaining closure about the incident.

How to Read Your Massachusetts Car Accident Report

Understanding your Massachusetts car accident report is essential, as each section provides crucial details about the incident that can impact insurance claims, legal actions, and your overall case.

First Page: Basic Information

The first page collects basic information about the accident’s time, date, and location. That information is all recorded in the upper left-hand portion of the report and is easy to understand.

Underneath that is precise location information for the crash. The left or right side should be filled in, but not both, depending on whether the collision occurred at an intersection. Read this section carefully and ascertain whether this matches your memory of the accident. If it does not, report this error as soon as possible.

First Page: Vehicle and Damage Information

The following section details the cars being driven, who was driving them, and what damage the vehicles sustained. You should easily be able to confirm your name, vehicle information, and the corresponding information for the other driver.

One of the more obscure lines in which you should take special interest is labeled “Citation # (If Issued).” This line, along with the information listed in the “Driver Contributing Code” box, will usually be used by the insurance company to determine fault in the accident.

Code definitions are available online. At Cava Law Firm, we will help you review the codes and what they mean if you are involved in an accident. These codes can help support your claim as to the fault of the accident as interpreted by the Police Officer at the scene. Sometimes the officer is not always right, and we have had to dispute the interpretation in court.

The passenger information at the bottom of the page reiterates some previous details about operators and lists any injuries anyone suffered in the car. It is very important to verify all passengers in your vehicle. Sometimes, Police Officers do not include all passengers of a car, and this can lead to issues down the road with the insurance companies and making claims for their injuries.

Second Page: Crash Description

The top half of the second page is a detailed description of how your accident occurred. The Police Officer at the accident scene will have drawn a rough diagram of the crash and described it in words. If you do not understand how to read your police accident report diagram, do not worry, we can explain it.

The written narrative should be straightforward and explain the events of the crash as best the investigator could put them together. Compare that description to your recollection to determine whether the report needs to be corrected.

Second Page: Witnesses, Property Damage, and Commercial Information

These sections are only filled out if witnesses, non-vehicle property damage, or a commercial vehicle were involved in the crash. The details of the above information will be listed in this area.

Third Page

The document’s final page duplicates most of the information found on the initial page. This page exists so a police officer could provide it to you if they created the report while at the scene of the accident. This means you immediately have some information in the report and can update or contest it if it needs modifications.

If you have been handed this page while you are still at the accident scene, you should ask to compare it to the first page of the report to ensure that the information on it was properly duplicated. If there are any mistakes, point them out before the officer leaves.

Additionally, this page also provides you with instructions on how to request an official copy of the police report once it has been filed. While this information is available online, having a physical copy for your records is helpful.

It may take a long time before you can access a digital copy of this information, and this document will help your lawyer. Since you are keeping this for your records, you should also ask the police officer who wrote the report to write their name and badge number on the page to ensure that you have that information if you need it later.

Why Choose Us

If you have been involved in a car accident in Massachusetts, you could suffer from major medical bills and high vehicle repair costs. In addition to guiding you towards the right providers to get your vehicle back on the road with a reputable repair shop, our experienced staff, including a Springfield medical malpractice lawyer, can assist if you’re dealing with any medical malpractices related to your accident injuries.

Our Springfield car accident lawyer is particularly skilled in handling cases in the Springfield area, where “Winning is NO Accident!” We know how to read your police accident report and will use that information to prove that you are owed compensation for the harm you suffered in the crash. Do not delay after being in a car accident in Massachusetts.

Call our winning team of lawyers immediately at (413) 737-3430 or (413) 781-CAVA (2282) to schedule a free consultation about your auto accident case, including guidance on collision and comprehensive auto insurance claims. We ensure you receive the support and advice necessary to navigate the complexities of your situation.

Attorney Jennifer L. Cava-Foreman

Attorney Jennifer L. Cava-Foreman would like to take the guesswork out of choosing a lawyer by letting the facts and her winning verdicts speak for themselves. Attorney Cava-Foreman is known in the local courts and has firsthand experience with many types of cases ranging from personal injury to criminal defense. Attorney Cava-Foreman understands that every case and every client is different. Whether a client is injured or mixed up in a criminal matter, she will provide the legal advice needed and stand up for her client in court. [ Attorney Bio ]