Jill Kolodner | February 2, 2022 | Car Accidents
After a car accident, you likely have a lot of questions: How will this affect my insurance? Will I get points on my license? Do I have to report the accident? And will my car accident be a matter of public record?
The right lawyer can help you minimize the legal repercussions of a car accident and walk you through the Maryland laws and statutes that affect your claim. Read on to learn whether car accident reports are public in Baltimore.
You’re Required by Law to Report Your Accident
Maryland law requires you to file a police report after a car accident anytime it involves injury, death, or serious property damage. Usually, this report happens when the police arrive after a 911 call.
The accident report is an official record of the accident. It includes information about:
- Both drivers, including driver’s license and contact information
- Damage to the vehicles
- Witness statements
- The weather and road conditions
The state’s primary storehouse for vehicle accident reports is the Maryland Transportation Authority’s Central Records Unit. You may request an official copy of the MDTA accident report under the state’s Public Information Act. Incidentally, others may be able to request a copy of your accident under the same statute.
How Can I Request a Maryland Car Accident Report?
The state has three different methods of obtaining your MDTA car accident report.
Request by Mail from the Central Records Unit
Make sure that the report is available and determine how much the document fee is. Then, download the form, fill it out, and mail it back with the fee amount (either a check or money order) addressed to:
Maryland Transportation Authority Police
Attn: Central Records Unit
4330 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21222
Ask for a Form in Person at the Central Records Unit
You can request a copy during business hours (although the hours may vary depending on COVID-19 restrictions). Make sure to call before you arrive so that the department can locate your report and have it ready. You’ll pay the document fee when you pick up the report.
Email Your Request
Email your request to mdtapolicerecords@mdta.maryland.gov. You can fill out the form request and send it back via email or include the relevant information in the body of the email. You’ll receive a copy of the report back via PDF, and there’s no fee.
You may need larger files, such as detailed collision reports and other special requests. These must be mailed, not sent via email, and there’s a fee associated with searching for and duplicating the reports.
Car Reports in Baltimore
If you’ve been in an accident in Baltimore, you may request a report from the Central Records Station Community Correspondence Unit of the Baltimore Police Department.
All records of accidents since 2011 are available online. To find your report online, you’ll need at least one of the following:
- The report number
- Your last name and the date of the incident
- Your last name and the street the accident occurred on
There is a fee of $14 for each report.
Or, you may request a report by mail. The fee for this is $10, in the form of a check or money order made out to the Director of Finance. You’ll download the form online and mail it to:
Baltimore Police Department
Attn: Community Correspondence Unit
242 W. 29th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211
Why Do I Need an Accident Report?
Your insurance company will probably need a copy of the accident report to process your claim. If you weren’t the driver at fault, your lawyer might also need a copy of the accident report as part of your case against the at-fault driver.
Contact a personal injury lawyer for help obtaining your car accident report for your injury claim.
To learn more, call our personal injury law firm at 410-837-2144 or visit our contact us page to send us an email.
Contact the Baltimore Car Accident Law Firm of William G. Kolodner Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information contact the Baltimore car accident law firm of William G. Kolodner Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation.
William G. Kolodner Personal Injury Lawyers
14 W Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
(410) 837-2144