Maryland Law on Obtaining Police Accident Reports
When police respond to the scene of an auto accident in Maryland, they file a police accident report on a standardized form called the Maryland Motor Vehicle Accident Report. Obtaining a copy of a police accident report is very important if you want to pursue a claim or lawsuit for injuries sustained in an auto accident. Below is a summary of Maryland law on obtaining police accident reports.
Maryland Public Information Act
The general right to obtain a copy of a police accident report originates from Maryland's Public Information Act - Md. Code, Gen. Prov. §§ 4-101, et seq. (sometimes referred to as the "freedom of information act"). This law basically gives citizens a general right to obtain copies of any public record documents from state and local governments and their agencies.
COMAR Regulations
The Public Information Act creates a general right to obtain public records such as police accident reports, but it permits state and local agencies to enact specific regulations setting forth the terms and procedures for exercising that right and making requests. The regulations that apply to requesting and obtaining copies of police accident reports are set forth at COMAR 29.02.02.01. T
- How to Obtain Police Reports in Maryland -information on getting police reports under new Maryland law
- Sample Request for Police Report Form (request form to get police report)
- Sample Police Report #1 (head-on car accident)
- Sample Police Report #2 (wrongful death)
- Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer Help Center (sample forms, pleading, discovery)
- Howard County Police Reports (now available online)