Submission of Collision Reports:
Kentucky law requires that all collisions be reported. In lieu of filing a collision report through a Kentucky law enforcement agency, a citizen may elect to submit a Commonwealth of Kentucky Civilian Traffic Collision Report instead. The link to Kentucky State Police Civilian Collision Report below will direct you to a version of the collision report along with the submission instructions.
Obtaining Collision Reports:
In accordance with Kentucky law and recent Attorney General Office guidance, all request for collision reports are to be submitted to the Kentucky State Police (KSP). The information below is from the KSP webpage and is provided as a reference. You are encouraged to check the website directly in case any information has changed.
KSP Webpage: Kentucky Open Records Act/Open Records Requests – kentuckystatepolice.org
HOW DO I REQUEST A PUBLIC RECORD?
To make an Open Records Request to the Kentucky State Police, you must submit a written request to the Official Custodian of Records. Sign the request, print your name, and describe the records (be specific, i.e. name, date, location) you wish to inspect or obtain copies of. Please include your address and phone number. Mail, email, fax or hand deliver your request to the Kentucky State Police Official Custodian of Records, at the following address:
Kentucky State Police
Legal Services Branch
Attn: Stephanie Dawson, Records Custodian
919 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-782-1873
ksp.openrecords@ky.gov
Individuals submitting an open records request may utilize the 2021_Standardized_Open_Records_Request_Form however, it’s not required.
WHAT IS THE KENTUCKY OPEN RECORDS ACT (KORA)
The Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to KRS 61.884), or KORA, provides access to public records that, by law, are not exempt from disclosure. For more information on the Act, visit the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General Web site at https://ag.ky.gov/orom/Pages/default.aspx.
CAN I GET AN ACCIDENT REPORT FROM A STATE POLICE POST?
Accident reports are among the most frequently requested KSP records.
KRS 189.635 governs access to accident reports. See https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=49053. Pursuant to KRS 189.635(5)(b), accident reports and the information contained therein shall be confidential and exempt from disclosure under the Open Records Act with limited exceptions. KRS 189.635(5)(c) provides that accident reports shall be made available to the following individuals:
- The parties to the accident;
- The parents or guardians of a minor who is party to the accident;
- Insurers or their written designee for insurance business purposes of any party who is the subject of the report;
- The attorneys of the parties to the accident;
- Any party to litigation who files with the department a request for the report and includes a copy of the first page of a District or Circuit Court clerk-stamped complaint naming all parties; and
- The Department of Workplace Standards in the Labor Cabinet if the accident report.
In addition, such reports must be made available to a “news-gathering organization” as defined at KRS 189.635(8)(b). Pursuant to KRS 189.635(8)(d), a newsgathering organization shall complete a KSP-29 form confirming their status, which can be accessed using this link: http://kentuckystatepolice.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/News-Gathering-Org.-KSP029.pdf. Parties to accidents can obtain their own reports from the KSP Post which is located in the area where their accidents occurred. Go to http://kentuckystatepolice.org/post-locations/ to locate areas covered by specific posts.
Accident reports can also be obtained from https://www.buycrash.com. You may also send a written request to the Official Custodian of Records at KSP for a copy of the report via U.S. mail, e-mail, facsimile, or hand-delivery, as explained above.
Involved parties include:
- Insurance Companies Representing Affected Vehicles
- The Drivers or Owners of the Vehicles Involved
- Property Owners whose Property was Damaged in the Collision
- Parents of Minor Children Involved
- Attorney’s Representing the Involved Parties
Kentucky State Police Civilian Collision Report Form
