Part of the PhillyLegalConnect Quick Answer Series
Simple answers to common accident, insurance, and injury questions affecting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, South Jersey, and the Jersey Shore.
Quick Answer
If you need a Philadelphia Police Accident Report after a car accident, you can generally request a copy through the City of Philadelphia Department of Records. If Philadelphia police investigated the crash and prepared a report, the City provides an online process for obtaining it.
Key Takeaways
- Philadelphia vehicle crash reports are available through the City of Philadelphia Department of Records.
- You can request a crash report yourself through the City’s online process.
- Having the date, location, names of the people involved, and District Control (DC) Number can help identify the correct report.
- Crash reports may not be available immediately after an accident.
- If you hire an attorney, the attorney can usually obtain and review the crash report for you.
- A police report is an important piece of evidence, but it does not automatically determine who was legally at fault.
Where Do I Get a Philadelphia Police Accident Report?
Philadelphia crash reports are generally handled through the Philadelphia Department of Records rather than the police district itself.
The City provides an online public-safety report system through which eligible individuals can search for and request a crash report.
The City may charge a fee for copies of Philadelphia Police Accident Reports. Because fees and procedures can change, always check the City’s current instructions before submitting your request.
Information Needed to Request a Philadelphia Police Accident Report
Providing accurate information can make it easier to locate the correct report.
Useful information may include:
- Date of the accident
- Approximate time
- Street or intersection where the crash occurred
- Names of the drivers or people involved
- District Control (DC) Number, if available
If you do not know the DC Number, the Philadelphia police district that handled the accident may be able to help you identify it.
When Is My Philadelphia Police Accident Report Available?
A Philadelphia crash report may not be available immediately after the accident.
The investigating officer must complete the report and it must move through the City’s reporting process before a copy becomes available.
For that reason, if you search shortly after an accident and cannot locate the report, that does not necessarily mean that no report was prepared.
Do I Have to Get the Police Report Myself?
No.
You can request the report yourself, particularly if you are handling the insurance claim on your own.
You do not have to wait until you receive the police report before speaking with an attorney. An attorney can usually obtain the report while beginning the investigation.
An attorney may review the police report together with other available evidence, including photographs, witness statements, vehicle damage, medical records, surveillance or traffic-camera video, and insurance information.
Does the Police Report Decide Who Was at Fault?
No – not by itself.
A police crash report can contain important information about the accident, but it should not automatically be treated as the final determination of legal responsibility.
Other evidence may provide additional information about what occurred.
That is one reason a crash report should be considered together with the rest of the available evidence rather than viewed in isolation.
Need Help After a Philadelphia Car Accident?
If you were injured in a Philadelphia car accident, you may have questions about the police report, insurance coverage, medical bills, or what you should do next.
PhillyLegalConnect provides educational information to help accident victims better understand these issues.
When legal representation is needed, PhillyLegalConnect connects readers directly with The Oakes Firm — Philadelphia Injury Lawyers.
Speak Directly With The Oakes Firm
Free Car Accident Consultation. No fee unless there is a recovery.
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Continue Learning
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- What To Do After an Accident in Philadelphia
- Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Pennsylvania?
What To Do Next
If you were involved in a Philadelphia car accident:
- Take care of your health first. Seek appropriate medical attention for injuries or symptoms.
- Preserve your accident information. Keep photographs, insurance information, witness information, medical records, and any paperwork provided by police.
- Request the crash report when it becomes available. If you have an attorney, the attorney can generally handle this for you.
- Be careful when speaking with insurance companies. Understand who is calling and why before providing detailed or recorded statements.
- Understand your options. If you have questions about an injury claim, you can speak directly with The Oakes Firm.
About PhillyLegalConnect
PhillyLegalConnect was created to help individuals and families better understand accidents, insurance, injury claims, and safety issues affecting Philadelphia, South Jersey, and the Jersey Shore.
Our mission is to explain complicated legal and insurance topics in clear, practical language so readers can make informed decisions after an accident or injury.
About the Author
Thomas G. Oakes has more than four decades of experience working in and around Pennsylvania and New Jersey courtrooms. Throughout his career, he worked with attorneys, judges, and litigation teams, gaining firsthand insight into how accident and injury claims are investigated, documented, and presented.
Today, he serves as editor of PhillyLegalConnect, developing educational resources that help readers better understand accident, insurance, and personal injury topics.
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