Injured in a car accident and need a copy of your Lancaster accident report in PA? Contact our car accident lawyers:Call Us 24/7 – (215) 557-8686 or Email Us Here…or read on for instructions on getting your own Lancaster accident report |
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If you were involved in a crash in Lancaster City, getting the official police accident report is often the first thing you’ll need for an insurance claim or injury case. Lancaster County, which includes the City of Lancaster, was ranked among the top ten counties in Pennsylvania for reported traffic accidents, with 5% of all statewide crashes happening there in 2024. In 2024 alone, 5,578 collisions were recorded according to the Pennsylvania Crash Facts & Statistics report of 2024. These statistics show just how common wrecks are in this part of the state. When a crash occurs within Lancaster City limits, the Lancaster City Bureau of Police handles the report, and knowing how to obtain that official crash record is important for protecting your rights to compensation moving forward.
At The Pearce Law Firm, we want every Lancaster accident victim to have the information they need to move forward with a claim for compensation after their injuries were caused by another negligent party. To better help our community, we’ve gathered information on how to get Lancaster City police reports so you can access the record of your crash and take the next steps of pursuing justice with confidence.
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If you were hurt in an accident in or near Philadelphia or South Jersey that wasn’t your fault, tell us about your situation. If we take you on as a client, we’ll get the accident report for you for free.
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How to Get a Lancaster City Accident Report Online
While there is no information on the Lancaster Police on the City of Lancaster’s website, many police agencies in and around Lancaster County make crash reports available through CrashDocs. If the Lancaster City Bureau of Police has made its reports available on CrashDocs, you can use the site to find and download the report quickly. Follow these step-by-step instructions for using CrashDocs:
- Open CrashDocs: go to https://www.crashdocs.org/.
- Choose the state where the accident occurred. In this case, you will select Pennsylvania from the state menu.
- Select the agency that reported the accident. In this case, you will look for Lancaster City Bureau of Police in the agency list. If you do not see “Lancaster City,” try searching the agency list or using the site search box.
- Enter identifying information to locate the correct report. You’ll typically be asked for the date of the crash, the last name of an involved party, and/or the report/reference number that is typically given by the responding officer. Have that information ready so you don’t delay the process. This helps speed up the search and is usually required to access the record.
- Review the listing to ensure accuracy. When the engine returns results, confirm you have the correct record by checking names, date, and location shown on the preview before proceeding to purchase.
- Follow the prompts to purchase the report. Make sure to add the crash report to your cart and pay the platform fee. Payment is completed online with a credit/debit card.
- Download and save the report once it is purchased. After payment, you should be able to download a PDF copy immediately. Save a copy and keep a backup, as insurance companies and attorneys usually want both digital and printed copies.
If the crash was a complex investigation, and included reconstruction, fatality, or similar, some departments restrict online sales and require that an in-person or mail request be submitted for those reports.
How to Get a Lancaster City Accident Report by Mail
You can request a copy of accident reports in Lancaster, PA, by mail from the Lancaster City Bureau of Police’s Records Department. The process is as follows:
- Complete the Lancaster records request form. This form needs to be filled out truthfully and entirely for it to be accepted.
- Include a check or money order payable to “City of Lancaster.” Cash is only accepted for in-person requests, so you will need to provide a check or money order.
- Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope so that the report can be mailed back to you.
Mail your request to:
Lancaster City Police / Records Department
39 W Chestnut St
Lancaster, PA 17603
It’s important to note that only individuals named in the report can request a copy of police reports in Lancaster, PA. If you are not named, you likely will not be eligible to receive the record, unless you are an attorney for an accident victim or an insurance company adjuster. Given that mail handling and the records-review process may take time, mailed requests might take longer than in-person or online requests.
How to Get Police Reports in Lancaster, PA by Phone
The official LCBP Records Department page does not have information on whether obtaining police reports in Lancaster, PA, by phone is a possibility. Since you must be a named person in the report, you will have to provide identification or proof, which most likely can’t be done over the phone. However, you can call the Records Department at 717-735-6670 to ask whether the report is available, confirm its status, or request instructions for mail or in-person options for obtaining the report. If you prefer to mail or submit your report request in person, the phone call can help you verify that the report is ready for retrieval or what the current wait time is.
How to Get a Lancaster City Accident Report in Person
Going to the City of Lancaster police station in person is often the fastest method for retrieving accident reports in Lancaster, PA. The Records Department at the Lancaster City Bureau of Police is located on the third floor of the police station. Therefore, you must sign in at the front desk, receive a visitor badge, and then take the lobby elevator to the third floor. Office hours for the Records Department are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. They are closed on major holidays, so make sure to confirm when they are open before going in person. When you go, bring along:
- A valid, current form of identification (driver’s license, state ID, etc.).
- Payment in cash, check, or money order.
Because the Lancaster City police reports must be reviewed before release, there is a chance that they may not be ready at the time you submit your in-person request. If that’s the case, the Records Department can either call you when it’s ready or send you the report via email or USPS, as long as you’ve already paid the fee.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Lancaster City Accident Report?
The cost to obtain a crash or accident report from the Lancaster City Police Records Department is $15.00. However, when requesting the report online through a third-party site like Crashdocs.org, the fee may differ. The fee to retrieve a report applies whether you request the report in person, by phone, or by mail. If you are mailing in your request, payment must be by check or money order, and you should also factor in the cost of postage. Cash is only accepted for in-person police report requests.
How Long Does It Take to Get the Lancaster City Accident Report?
The time it takes to obtain your Lancaster City accident report can vary depending on a few factors, including:
- How recently the crash occurred
- Whether the report has been finalized by the investigating officers
- How the report request is submitted, such as in person, by mail, online, etc.
According to the LCBP’s Records Department webpage, accident reports undergo multiple levels of review and approval before they are released and available to those involved in the accident.
If you request the report in person and it’s already released, you may receive it immediately after payment. If you mail your request, you should expect delays due to processing, mailing, and review, which may all add up to additional time. The department offers the option to have the accident report sent via email or USPS once it’s ready, which can also help save time.
Because of these variables, there is no guaranteed timeframe for when Lancaster City police reports are available, but calling ahead to check the report’s status or asking the Records Department to notify you when ready can help manage expectations.
What Documentation Is Required to Get the Lancaster City Accident Report?
To make sure you are able to obtain a copy of the crash record from Lancaster City:
- You must be named in the report. This typically means you must be one of the drivers or involved parties.
- You must provide a valid, current ID. If the address on the ID is outdated, a current billing envelope showing your current address may be used instead.
- Payment for the report must be made via cash, card, or check/money order for mail requests.
What Does the Lancaster City Accident Report Include?
A Lancaster accident report from Lancaster City’s Bureau of Police is an official piece of documentation for a car accident. While the publicly available “Records Department” page does not list exactly what information the report contains, typical pieces of information in a police accident report include:
- Date, time, and location of the crash
- Names of the drivers involved
- Description of the vehicles involved
- Observations by the responding officer, such as road conditions, apparent damage, diagrams, etc.
- Statements from drivers, passengers, and any witnesses (if provided)
- The officer’s factual findings and sometimes a narrative description of the crash
Need Help Getting A Lancaster City Police Report?
If you’re having trouble getting your Lancaster City accident report or you simply don’t want to deal with the process all by yourself, our team at The Pearce Law Firm is ready to help. If you are seeking information how to obtain a report from other nearby areas, such as an Oxford police report, Pottstown police report or a West Chester police report, they often follow similar procedures for accessing accident documentation. Our team can help you obtain the crash report, review the details of the collision, and assist you through every stage of your car accident claim. From handling insurance companies to pursuing full compensation for your injuries both in and out of court, we’re here to protect your interests from start to finish. Reach out today for a free case consultation.
