St. Louis Car Accident Report: How to Get a Crash Report (City or County)

Ryan Bradley | January 23, 2026 | Car Accident \ Missouri Law

Key Takeaways:

• Your crash location determines which agency handles your report. St. Louis City and County are separate jurisdictions. You’ll need the exact address or the intersection to determine whether you need SLMPD, County Police, or a municipal department.
• Reports take 3-10 business days on average. For minor accidents, reports may be available faster. But it’s best to start your insurance claim right away. Don’t wait just because the report isn’t ready yet.
• Crash reports often contain errors. If you don’t catch mistakes on your police accident report (wrong driver information, missing injuries, incorrect fault determinations), they can tank your claim.

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Your insurance claim depends on your St. Louis car accident report. But don’t get tripped up: “St. Louis” can mean the City of St. Louis or St. Louis County, and they’re two completely separate jurisdictions with different police departments and different processes.

For example, if your accident happened at Kingshighway and Chippewa, you’ll need to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD). Crashed at Manchester Road in Ballwin? Ballwin Police is responsible. And I-270 in unincorporated West County means that St. Louis County Police will handle your collision. Find out in our guide where and how to get your St. Louis accident report. To obtain reports within the State of Missouri, read our Missouri crash report guide.

First: Was the Crash in St. Louis City or St. Louis County?

St. Louis City and St. Louis County are two distinct jurisdictions, which confuses even locals. The city is surrounded by the county on three sides. When someone says “St. Louis,” they could mean either one.

Here’s how to figure out which jurisdiction handled your crash:

• St. Louis City is served exclusively by SLMPD. This includes neighborhoods like Downtown, the Central West End, Soulard, and everything within the city limits. If your crash happened on city streets like Kingshighway, Grand Boulevard, Gravois, or Jefferson, SLMPD responded.
• St. Louis County is complicated. The county has both St. Louis County Police and 88 separate municipal police departments. Some areas are “unincorporated” and served by County Police, such as most of West County along I-270. Other areas have their own police departments, like Clayton, University City, Florissant, Webster Groves, Kirkwood, and Chesterfield.

Here’s the easiest way to know which agency responded: look at the exchange of information card the officer gave you at the scene. It’ll show the department name and report number. If you don’t have that card, check any citations or tickets.

You still don’t know? Call SLMPD’s non-emergency line at (314) 231-1212 or St. Louis County Police at (636) 529-8210 with your crash location, and they’ll tell you which department handled it.

If It Happened in St. Louis City: How to Request an SLMPD Crash Report

The SLMPD handles all crashes within city limits. You can request a St. Louis police accident report through the records division. To obtain the report, you’ll typically need basic information, such as the date and time of the crash, location, and report number (if available).

SLMPD offers online requests via its website, in-person requests at its records division, mail requests, and, sometimes, phone requests. But since the specific process changes from time to time, make sure to check SLMPD’s current procedure on their official website or call their non-emergency line at (314) 231-1212 to confirm the current method.

Bring a government-issued ID and be ready to pay a small fee (usually $6-$10 for a standard report). Crash reports usually take a few days, but you may be able to get a copy the same day if the report is already complete.

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If It Happened in St. Louis County: County Police vs. Municipal Departments

Once you’ve determined your crash happened in the county, you’ll then need to figure out which specific department handled it. For St. Louis County Police crashes, contact:

St. Louis County Police Department
Records Section
7900 Forsyth Boulevard
Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: (314) 615-5317

St. Louis County Police usually offer online requests through the county’s online public records portal, in-person, and via mail.

For municipal department crashes, you’ll have to determine which police department handled the collision. Here are some of the larger departments and their coverage areas:

• Clayton Police: Crashes in Clayton proper, and including the business district around Forsyth and Hanley.
• University City Police: Delmar Loop area and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Florissant Police: North County city with its own force.
• Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights: Each has its own police department and records process.
• Chesterfield Police: Covers Chesterfield, including Olive Boulevard and Clarkson Road areas.

If you’re not sure which municipal department responded, call the non-emergency number for the city where your crash happened, and they’ll be able to tell you.

What You Need to Request a St. Louis (City/County) Accident Report

Every jurisdiction asks for similar information, and having these details at hand when you’re requesting the accident report speeds up the process:

• Crash date and time
• Exact location (street address/intersection)
• Your full name and date of birth
• Other driver’s name (if available)
• Vehicle information (license plate or VIN)
• St. Louis crash report number (if you have it)

Don’t worry if you don’t have the report number, as most departments can still locate your report using the date, location, and your name. It may just take a little longer.

How Long It Takes to Get the Report (and What to Do If It’s Not Ready)

You may have to wait around 3-10 business days from the crash date to obtain your report, although it may be available earlier in some cases, such as simple crashes with no injuries. But multi-vehicle crashes, injury crashes, and those requiring further investigation can take the full window or even longer.

Delays can be caused by detailed narratives for complex crashes involving several vehicles, commercial or government vehicles requiring additional review, hit-and-run investigations, and disputed fault or conflicting witness statements.

While you’re waiting for your report, kick off your insurance claim. Start the process with the other driver’s insurance information, photos, and witness statements. And tell the adjuster the report is still pending.

Under RSMo § 375.1007(4), Insurers must acknowledge and promptly act on claims and may not impose unreasonable documentation requirements. Missouri law doesn’t require a police report to file a claim, so you can push back if insurers try to delay or even stall your claim.

Common Mistakes on Crash Reports (and Why They Matter for Insurance)

Crash reports often contain errors, such as wrong driver names and addresses, missing injuries, and incorrect fault determinations. They may even show diagram mistakes. Unfortunately, factual mistakes in the report can jeopardize your compensation claim. Here’s what can go wrong:

• Wrong driver information: This can include the wrong insurance company, incorrect policy number, and wrong addresses/phone numbers. When insurers can’t verify coverage or contact the other driver, your claim and payout could be delayed.
• Missing injuries: You told the officer you’re in pain and hurt, but they recorded it as “no injury.” This can sink your entire claim, as insurers may dispute that your injuries occurred in the accident or they may accuse you of exaggerating.
• Incorrect fault determination: The diagram and narrative contradict each other. And suddenly, the other driver’s insurer denies liability or assigns more fault to you. Under Missouri’s comparative fault law, this could cost you tens of thousands of dollars in compensation.
• Location errors: Wrong jurisdiction or street listing affects which insurance requirements apply and creates coverage disputes. For example, a crash incorrectly listed as “St. Louis City” may lead an insurer to request SLMPD records, find nothing, and delay your claim.

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How to Fix Errors on a Missouri Crash Report

Time matters when correcting crash report errors, so try to correct an erroneous report as soon as possible. Don’t wait until insurance adjusters have built their denial strategy around an incorrect report.

Correcting errors in an accident report involves submitting a written request to the investigating agency. Make sure you’re providing supporting evidence, such as photos and witness statements, and explain what exactly is wrong and what the correct information should be.

We’ve created a complete guide on how to correct Missouri crash report errors within 30 days, including what evidence you need and how to make your request bulletproof.

What We Look for in a Crash Report (and Why It Matters for Your Claim)

When you bring us your crash report, we dissect every line looking for problems that could hurt your claim. Here are some of the factors we pay particular attention to:

• Fault indicators. We check the diagram against the narrative. Does the officer’s description match the crash scene sketch? Are any traffic violations listed, like speeding or failure to yield? These details determine whether the other driver’s insurer accepts liability.
• Injury documentation gaps. If you complained of pain and mentioned that you were injured, but there is no mention of injuries in the report, we’ll need to correct that immediately.
• Witness information. Are witnesses listed, and did the officer get their statements? Sometimes officers only note that witnesses were present. We can track them down for statements that could help your case.
• Missing information. Gaps in a report can include no vehicle speeds listed, no mention of damaged property beyond the vehicles, and no notes of road conditions or weather. Such gaps can invite insurance companies to create a narrative in their favor and to your detriment.

How We Can Help If the Report Is Wrong or Incomplete

An incorrect or flawed crash report doesn’t necessarily kill your claim, but it can make it complicated to get what you deserve. And it requires immediate action. Our St. Louis car accident lawyers can work with investigating agencies to add supplemental reports when key details are missing from the original report. We can submit statements from witnesses who weren’t interviewed at the scene and provide photos that clarify what happened.

If the report says “no injury,” but you were treated at the ER or saw your doctor hours later, we can build a timeline with medical records that correct the error. When insurance information is plain wrong or jurisdiction errors affect coverage, we can straighten it out with all involved insurers.

And when the report gets fault wrong, which can significantly harm your claim, we gather evidence that contradicts the officer’s narrative and present it directly to insurers. Evidence such as traffic camera footage, dashcam video, and expert reconstruction can all override an incorrect police report.

If You Were Injured: What to Do After You Get the Report

Getting your crash report is one step, but there are other actions you can take to protect your compensation claim:

• Review the report immediately. Check names, insurance information, injury notations, and the crash description. Document any mistakes right away.
• Get medical treatment. Even if the report says “no injury,” car accident injury symptoms can develop later. See a doctor within days.
• Don’t give a recorded statement. If you supply the other driver’s insurance with a recorded statement, they’ll try to use it against you. Politely decline recorded statements, as they are not required by law.
• Keep a pain journal. Keep a daily journal of your pain and symptoms. Note doctor visits and treatments, and record any missed work days.
• Refrain from posting on social media. Don’t post about the crash on social media. That photo of you at a family gathering may become “proof” for an insurer that you’re not as seriously injured as you claim.

Most importantly, consult a lawyer before accepting any settlement. Once you sign a release, you can’t ask for more compensation later, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious.

FAQs About St. Louis City and County Accident Reports

What if I don’t have the accident report number?

You can still request a report using the crash date, location, and driver names. It just takes longer because the records clerk has to search manually. Any additional information, like the approximate time or specific intersection, can speed things up.

Can a passenger request a copy of the crash report?

Yes, they can. As a passenger requesting an accident report, you’ll need to provide the same information as drivers: date, location, and names of drivers involved. Bring your ID if you’re requesting a report in person.

What if the crash was in a St. Louis parking lot?

Police may not respond to parking lot crashes unless there are injuries. If an officer did respond and write a report, request it the same way as you would for any other collision.

If no officer responded, make sure to document the crash yourself with photos, witness information, and contact details/ insurance exchange.

What if the other driver gave me the wrong insurance information?

The crash report should have the other driver’s insurance information, but officers sometimes make mistakes, or the other driver lies to avoid responsibility. If the insurance information doesn’t work, contact an attorney. We have tools to track down the correct insurance through license plate lookups and DMV records.

City of St. Louis vs. County: How can I tell which department responded?

Look at your exchange of information card or any ticket you received. It’ll show the department name. If you don’t have that paperwork, the crash location can tell you. City streets within St. Louis city limits mean SLMPD. County roads or municipal streets mean either the county police or the local city police department.

What if the other driver was driving a company vehicle?

Crashes involving commercial or government vehicles can be more complex and may have additional documentation. The police report should note whether the driver was working at the time, as this affects which insurance policy applies.

What if the officer told me there would be no report?

Officers sometimes say crashes are too minor for a report, especially in parking lots or on private property. If that happened and you later develop injuries, retain any evidence, such as photos, witness contact information, insurance details, and medical treatment. You can still file an insurance claim without a police report.

Talk to a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer About Your Crash Report

Your crash report is an important piece of the puzzle that helps you obtain adequate compensation, whether through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. But it’s not the whole story.

Insurance adjusters typically jump on any error or ambiguity in the police report to try to deny or reduce your claim. But we know the games they play, and can counter insurance tactics. Our attorneys have handled many St. Louis car accident cases in both the city and the county. We know what to look for in crash reports and how to fix errors fast. And, most importantly, we can prove your claim even when the report contains mistakes.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review, and we’ll give you an honest assessment of your options.

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