Ryan Bradley | March 20, 2026 | Car Accident
If you’ve been involved in a serious accident, the Missouri Highway Patrol crash report is one of the most important documents for your case and could determine what you’ll recover. Your insurance company will scrutinize it, and so will any attorney you hire.
If the other driver disputes what happened, the report may be the closest thing to an objective account of the crash that you can get your hands on. Getting a copy is usually straightforward. Here’s what you need to know about how to get a Missouri crash report.
At a Glance
- How long it takes: Allow at least 10 working days from the date of the crash before requesting the official report.
- Where to get it: Get the report online, by mail, or in person at an MSHP division headquarters.
- What it costs: $6 for a basic crash report. The fee applies whether you request it online, by mail, or in person.
- What to do if it contains an error: Make correction requests within 30 days. Waiting longer can make corrections more difficult.
Why Missouri Accident Victims Choose Bradley Law
- Missouri Lawyers Award – 2024 Missouri Top 5 Settlements – E. Ryan Bradley
- Over $100 million recovered for injury victims across Missouri since 2002.
- Record-setting results, including the largest motorcycle accident recovery in Missouri history ($14,250,000) and the largest wrongful death settlement for a child in state history ($14,000,000).
- Offices in St. Louis and Kansas City, serving accident victims statewide.
- Founding attorney E. Ryan Bradley is a former insurance defense attorney, AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and a Top 100 Trial Lawyer in America.
- No fee unless we win and free, no-obligation consultations.
What a Missouri Highway Patrol Crash Report Is
When a state trooper responds to a crash, they typically complete a written record of the incident called the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report. It records the date, time, location, and the vehicles involved. But, importantly, it also captures the trooper’s initial assessment of the accident:
- What happened and how
- Contributing factors
- Laws violated and citations issued
- Road and weather conditions at the time
- Details of injuries
Not every crash generates an MSHP report. If local law enforcement responded instead of a state trooper, the report comes from that agency. Check which agency responded to your accident before requesting records.
Official Report vs. the 29-Day Preliminary Listing
MSHP posts preliminary crash information online within a few days of a crash. People often assume that this is the official report, but it isn’t. The preliminary listing is basic information pulled together quickly. It stays online for 29 days and is then taken down.
The official Missouri State Highway Patrol accident report is a separate document and more detailed. It’s also legally recognized, and the version you need for insurance and legal purposes.
You can view the preliminary listing at the online traffic crash reports website. It will show you the basic facts of the collision and confirm it was logged, but it won’t tell you how the trooper assessed fault or what contributing factors were recorded. That’ll all be in the official report.
When Your Missouri Crash Report Will Be Available
Wait at least 10 working days (two calendar weeks) from the date of your crash before you request the official report. Requesting an accident report too early usually just means being told it’s not ready. Troopers complete reports after a crash, and there is some processing time involved.
Note that MSHP can experience processing backlogs, so in some cases, a report may take longer than 10 working days. If your report is not ready after two weeks, contact the Patrol Records Division directly at (573) 526-6113.
You can also check the preliminary listing. If the crash appears there, the trooper has logged the incident, and the official report is likely in process.
How to Get Your Missouri Crash Report Online
The fastest option is online through the MSHP website. You will need the date of the crash, the county where it occurred, and at least one vehicle plate number or driver’s license number from the crash. If you have the report number from the card the trooper handed you at the scene, include it, as it’ll speed up the search.
The fee is $6, paid by credit or debit card. Once you complete the request, the report is available to download as a PDF. For most people, this is the quickest and easiest route, as it’s available around the clock and there’s no need to mail anything or travel anywhere.
How to Request Your Missouri Crash Report by Mail
Send a written request to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Criminal Justice Information Services Division. Make sure to include the crash date, the county, the names of the drivers involved, and the report number (if available). Enclose a check or money order for $6 made out to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Don’t send cash.
Mail to:
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
1510 East Elm Street
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Mail requests take longer than online requests. Factor in postage time both ways. If your situation is time-sensitive, it’s best to use the online option.
How to Get Your Missouri Crash Report in Person
You can request a copy in person at any Missouri State Highway Patrol division headquarters. Bring a photo ID and be prepared to pay the $6 fee. Call ahead to confirm accepted payment methods at your specific location.
Find your nearest MSHP division headquarters before making the trip. In-person requests are worth it if you have questions or need to speak with someone directly. Otherwise, online requests are faster.
Cost, Who Can Request It, and What to Have Ready
The standard fee for a Missouri Highway Patrol crash report is $6. Missouri law allows anyone with a legitimate interest to request one, including drivers and passengers involved in the crash, their attorneys, and insurance companies handling related claims.
Before you submit your request, have this information ready:
- Date of the crash. MSHP needs the exact date to locate the correct record. An approximate date is not enough.
- County where the crash occurred. Note that it’s the county (not the city) you’ll need to know. If you’re not sure which county the crash falls under, look it up before you submit.
- Names of all involved drivers. Include all drivers where possible. The more identifying information you provide, the easier it is for MSHP to pull the right report.
- Vehicle plate numbers or driver’s license numbers. You need at least one of these. If you exchanged information at the scene, check your records.
- Report number. If a trooper handed you a card or slip at the scene, the report number may be on it. Include it if you have it.
The more detail you can provide, the faster MSHP can locate your record.
What to Do if Your Missouri Crash Report Contains an Error
Missouri crash reports can include errors, such as misspelled names, a detail recorded incorrectly, or a contributing factor that doesn’t accurately reflect what happened. Left uncorrected, those mistakes can negatively affect your insurance claim and your legal case. This is why it’s vital to make corrections as soon as possible.
It’s best practice to correct any errors within 30 days of the date of the crash. Waiting longer can make corrections much harder, especially given that you’re already waiting 10 working days for the report to be ready.
The crash report correction process involves a written request and supporting documentation. An attorney can help you identify which errors are worth challenging and gather the right evidence to support the correction. This typically gives you the best chance of the correction being accepted. A poorly documented correction request may be rejected, leaving the error on record.
Common Errors We See in Missouri Highway Patrol Crash Reports
After 20-plus years representing accident victims in St. Louis and Kansas City, we have reviewed hundreds of Missouri Highway Patrol crash reports. These are the errors we see most often:
- Driver names or license numbers incorrect
- Contributing factors missing or inaccurate
- Injuries not noted because symptoms had not yet appeared at the scene
- Witness information incomplete or absent
- Crash location recorded imprecisely
Any one of these errors or omissions can create problems for your insurance claim.
If an error in your report is affecting your claim, talk to an attorney as soon as possible.
Speak With An Attorney About Your Case
When a Missouri Car Accident Lawyer Should Step In
Getting an MSHP crash report is something most people can handle on their own. What comes after can be a different matter. Insurance adjusters read crash reports closely and use them to shape their position on your claim. If any of the following apply to your situation, consider getting an attorney into your corner:
- The report contains errors that affect how fault is assigned
- The other driver is disputing what happened
- Your injuries turn out to be more serious than they first appeared
- You are being offered a settlement and don’t know if it covers your damages
- The crash involved a commercial vehicle, an uninsured driver, or multiple parties
These are the situations where working with an attorney can be critical to protect your compensation claim.
Bradley Law represents car accident victims across Missouri. Our attorneys know how to read a crash report, spot what is missing, challenge what is wrong, and use it to build the strongest possible case.
Contact us today to protect your rights if you were hurt in a Missouri crash. Our consultations are free, and we will clarify your best next steps and legal options.
Bradley Law Legal Insight: When a Report Error Hurts Your Claim
Insurance adjusters treat the MSHP report as the objective account of what happened. But any error can cost you:
- A missing contributing factor gives the adjuster room to reduce your payout
- Incorrect fault assignment becomes the insurance’s position on your claim
- An omitted injury detail is used to argue your injuries weren’t crash-related
If your report contains an error, request a correction as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Highway Patrol Crash Reports
How long does it take to get a Missouri crash report from MSHP?
Allow at least 10 working days from the date of your crash. Requesting earlier usually means the report is not ready. Online requests are faster than mail once the report is available.
Can I get my Missouri crash report for free?
While the 29-day preliminary listing is free to view online, the official crash report costs $6. Your attorney or insurance company may obtain a copy on your behalf, but the MSHP fee applies regardless.
What if MSHP did not respond to my crash?
If local police or a sheriff responded instead of a state trooper, MSHP will not have a crash report. You’ll have to contact the responding agency directly. In St. Louis, Kansas City, and other larger cities, that’s typically the local police department.
How do I know if my crash report has an error?
Read the report carefully when you receive it. If anything in the report doesn’t match what happened, make sure to request a correction. Check names, vehicle information, the location, and the trooper’s narrative. And pay particular attention to contributing factors (speeding, impaired driving, etc.).
Can I use my Missouri crash report in a legal case?
Yes. A crash report is an official document routinely used as evidence in personal injury cases and insurance disputes. But it’s not the final word on fault. An experienced Missouri car accident attorney can help you understand what your report says and how it affects your case.
What if fault is not noted correctly in the report?
If you believe fault was assigned incorrectly or key details are missing, an attorney can help you challenge that and gather additional evidence to support your version of events. The trooper’s assessment merely reflects what they observed and were told at the scene, but is not always an accurate or complete account of what happened.