How to Get a Police Report in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

If the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police investigated your accident, request your report from the Central Records and Reporting Unit (CRRU) at 660 First Avenue, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. The CRRU is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Phone: (412) 255-2920.

Reports cost $15 per copy, payable by money order or check only — cash and credit cards are not accepted. For in-person requests, bring a valid photo ID, the date of the accident, and the report number if you have it. If you do not have the report number, provide the date, location, and names of the parties involved so staff can locate your report.

For mail requests, send a written request to the CRRU at 660 First Avenue, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Include the type of incident, the report number, a photocopy of your ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a money order or check for $15 per report. Allow additional processing time for mail requests.

If the Pennsylvania State Police investigated your accident — which is common for accidents on interstate highways (I-376, I-279, I-79, I-76) and state routes — you can request your report online through the PA State Police crash report portal at pa.gov. Navigate to the crash report request page and search by date, location, or names of parties involved.

Pennsylvania State Police crash reports cost $22 per copy. Reports are available approximately 15 days after the date of the crash. You can pay online and receive the report electronically. For assistance, contact the PA State Police Crash Reports Unit at (717) 783-3380 or email RA-pspcrashreports@pa.gov. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

You can also request PA State Police reports by mail. Complete Form SP 7-0015 (Application to Obtain Copy of Police Crash Report) and mail it with a $22 payment to: Pennsylvania State Police, Crash Reports Unit, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

The first step in getting your accident report is determining which law enforcement agency investigated. Check the business card or paperwork the officer gave you at the scene — it will identify the agency. If you do not have that information, consider the location of your accident.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police handles accidents within Pittsburgh city limits. The Pennsylvania State Police often handles accidents on interstate highways and state routes, even within city limits. Surrounding municipalities — including Ross Township, Penn Hills, Monroeville, and other Allegheny County communities — have their own police departments that handle accidents in their jurisdictions.

If you are unsure which agency responded, call the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police non-emergency line at (412) 323-7800 for assistance. You can also call the Allegheny County 911 Center at (412) 473-3056, which may be able to identify the responding agency based on the date, time, and location of your accident.

A Pennsylvania police accident report contains several sections that matter for your personal injury claim. The header identifies the investigating agency, report number, and date. The vehicle and driver sections list each party's name, address, insurance information, and vehicle details. The narrative section is the investigating officer's description of what happened — this is often the most important part of the report.

Pennsylvania officers document contributing factors for each driver, such as following too closely, failure to yield, improper lane change, distracted driving, or driving under the influence. The report also includes road conditions, weather, lighting, and whether any traffic control devices (signals, signs) were involved. While the officer's conclusions are not binding in court, insurance companies rely heavily on them when evaluating fault.

The report includes a diagram of the accident scene, the location of damage to each vehicle, whether citations were issued, and whether anyone was transported to the hospital. Witness names and contact information, if collected, are included. Review your report carefully — if you find errors in the factual details, contact the investigating officer to request a supplemental report.

Your police report is the single most important document in the early stages of your personal injury claim. Insurance adjusters will request it immediately after you file a claim. The report establishes the basic facts: who was involved, where and when it happened, what the officer observed, and the contributing factors assigned to each driver.

Pennsylvania uses modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar (42 Pa.C.S. § 7102). If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages. If you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. The police report's contributing factor designations often set the starting point for fault determination. Additionally, Pennsylvania's choice no-fault system means your tort election (full tort vs. limited tort) affects whether you can recover pain and suffering damages.

If the other driver was cited at the scene, that citation supports your claim — though it is not conclusive proof of fault. If no report was filed at the scene, you should still document the accident as soon as possible. Pennsylvania law (75 Pa.C.S. § 3746) requires drivers to report accidents involving injury, death, or vehicle damage that prevents the vehicle from being driven safely. Contact the local police to file a report after the fact — having a late report is better than having no report at all.

The Pittsburgh metro area includes dozens of municipal police departments in Allegheny County, each handling their own records requests. Common agencies include Ross Township Police, Penn Hills Police, Monroeville Police, Mt. Lebanon Police, and McCandless Police. The Allegheny County Police Department handles cases in unincorporated areas and may assist municipal departments.

For accidents on interstate highways and state routes, the Pennsylvania State Police Troop B (Washington) covers Allegheny County. Reports can be requested online at pa.gov or by contacting the PA State Police Crash Reports Unit at (717) 783-3380.

If you are unsure which agency responded to your accident, start by calling the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police non-emergency line at (412) 323-7800 or the Allegheny County 911 Center at (412) 473-3056. They can help identify the responding agency based on the location and date of the accident.

If you were injured in an accident in Pittsburgh and have obtained your police report, take our free Injury Claim Check. You will answer a few quick questions about your accident and injuries, and we will give you a personalized report that includes Pennsylvania's filing deadline for your specific claim, an explanation of how fault is determined under Pennsylvania law, and whether connecting with a personal injury attorney makes sense for your situation.

Your police report is the first step. Understanding your legal options is the second. Our Injury Claim Check is free, confidential, and gives you the information you need to make an informed decision about what comes next.