In Case of a Motor Vehicle Accident

What reports do you need to complete if you are involved in a vehicle accident and what action should you take?

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 24, the operator involved in a motor vehicle accident causing injury to person, vehicle or property must stop and make known his or her name, residence, and the registration number of his/her motor vehicle. If someone is injured or property damage is in excess of $1,000, police should be summoned to the scene to investigate.

Officers arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash will assess the need for medical aid, and then require the license and registration of all operators. Passenger and witness information will be solicited to aid in the investigation. If the crash vehicles are not a road hazard, operators should not remove the vehicles from the location of the accident. The location of vehicles after impact will aid investigating officers.

Officers will then complete a Massachusetts Police Motor Vehicle Crash report and will provide all operators with a copy of a Massachusetts operator motor vehicle crash report. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 26, in part, "requires every person operating a motor vehicle involved in an accident in which any person is killed or injured or in which there is damage in excess of one thousand dollars shall within five days after such accident report in writing and file an accident report to the Registrar, and the local police Department having jurisdiction." Operators are also advised to notify their respective insurance companies immediately after the accident. Operator accident reports may be photocopied with original signatures and mailed to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, Local Police Department having jurisdiction, and your insurance company.

Investigating police accident reports are sent to the Registry of motor vehicles and the respective insurance companies. Operators involved in an accident may receive a copy of the police accident report through their insurance company.