How to Get a West Chester Police Report Online in PA

Get Copy of West Chester PA Police Accident Reports

West Chester police reports are essential for filing car accident insurance claims and receiving compensation for any injuries or property damage afterward. They also act as a complete and official form of documentation of the accident. However, many individuals may find it challenging to obtain an official copy of their West Chester police accident report, as there are varying sources of information on how to do so online. At The Pearce Law Firm, we aim to simplify this process for you, and make it as easy as possible to get your car insurance claim submitted. Here are clear instructions on how to obtain West Chester, PA accident reports from West Chester Police, in order to make it easier for you to access these vital documents.

How to Get a West Chester Accident Report Online

Obtaining West Chester, PA police reports is a fairly easy process and can be done online through the official Borough of West Chester website. This convenient process allows quick access to the necessary accident report for your records or insurance claims.

To get a copy of your accident report in West Chester, PA, follow these steps or go directly to CrashDocs here.

1. Go to the Borough of West Chester Website.
2. Go to the Police Department Page:
   • At the top of the home page of the website, hover over the “Departments” menu.
   • Click on “Police Department” from the dropdown menu. This will take you to the West Chester Police Department page.
3. Find Accident Reports:
   • On the Police Department page, look for a gray menu on the left-hand side.
   • Find “Accident Reports“, and click on it. This will take you to the West Chester Police Accident Reports page.
4. Look for PA Reportable Accidents:
   • On the left-hand side of the Accident Reports page, click on “PA Reportable Accidents.”
5. Redirect to CrashDocs.org:
   • You will be redirected to CrashDocs.org, which is a third-party police accident report provider that the West Chester Police Department sends their accident reports to for online availability.
6. Start Your Search For Your Accident Report:
   • On this page, you will need to input the state, Pennsylvania, and select West Chester Police Department as the agency.
   • Click “Start Your Search” at the bottom
7. Enter Required Information:
   • On this page, you will need to provide information pertaining to your accident report, including:
     • The Report or Reference Number.
     • The last name of an involved party (typically your own last name).
     • The date the accident occurred.
8. Find and Obtain Your Report:
   • Click on “Search Reports” to generate your report.
   • Find and click on your respective report.
9. Continue to follow the prompts provided on the following pages to retrieve your West Chester, PA accident report.

How to Get a West Chester Accident Report by Mail

Unfortunately, the West Chester Police Department website does not provide any information on how to obtain police reports by mail. However, you can request these reports by visiting the Pennsylvania State Police website and downloading the appropriate form.

1. Visit the Pennsylvania State Police Website:
2. On the homepage, find the gray box with various links:
   • Click on “Get a Copy of a Crash Report.“
   • This will take you to the crash reports page.
3. Find the Application Form:
   • Under the section labeled “Request a Crash Report,” click on the link for “SP 7-0015 – Application to Obtain Copy of Police Crash Report.“
   • Download, print, and fill out the SP 7-0015 form.
4. Mail the Application:
   • Send the completed application along with the processing fee to the following address:

Pennsylvania State Police
Attn: Crash Reports Unit
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110

How to Get a Police Accident Report in West Chester, PA by Phone

Getting West Chester accident reports by phone is not a feasible option. That said, you can always try calling the West Chester Police Administrative Staff (non-emergency) at 610-436-1323 or the Records Division at 610-436-1320. While Pennsylvania does have an open records law (“Right-to-Know Law” or “RTKL”), it has some significant limitations compared to other states. This means that West Chester, PA police reports, whether they are classified as reportable by Pennsylvania standards or non-reportable, can only be released to parties that were directly involved in the accident and have submitted a formal request. This policy ensures that sensitive information is securely managed and only accessible to those with a legitimate need for the report.

How to Get a West Chester PA Accident Report in Person

Unlike obtaining an accident report by phone, it is possible to obtain a West Chester accident report in person by visiting the West Chester Police Department. You will need to fill out a request form at the Police Records Department, which is located on the first floor of the West Chester Police Department. It is directly supervised by the Administrative Lieutenant assigned to Police Administration, and the records department is thoroughly maintained. The office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The address for the West Chester Police Department is:

401 E Gay St
West Chester, PA 19380

How Much Does It Cost to Get a West Chester Accident Report?

The costs that are associated with obtaining a West Chester accident report vary depending on the method by which you choose to obtain them:

• Online – It costs $15.00 for West Chester Police Department accident reports online. The place to purchase them is CrashDocs.org, a third-party accident report provider for various states, including Pennsylvania.*
• In-Person – The West Chester Police Department website states that they charge $15 for an accident report.*
• By Mail – The fee for obtaining a West Chester accident report by mail through the Pennsylvania State Police is $22 plus postage for mailing in the request form.*

*Note that pricing may have changed. Make sure to contact the West Chester Police Department for current pricing.

How Long Does It Take To Get the West Chester Accident Report?

There is no specified time frame for when you will receive a West Chester accident report. If you wish to obtain the report online or in person, you can typically expect to receive it the same day. However, if you request the report by mail, the process will take some time as it involves waiting for your request to be mailed out, received and processed, and then mailed back to you. This method generally takes longer due to the postal shipping times involved in both sending and receiving the document.

What Documentation Is Required to Get the West Chester Accident Report?

Typically, to receive a West Chester police report in person, you will need to present a valid ID and the accident report number, if available. However, to obtain one online or by mail you will typically only need the accident report number and a last name that is associated with the accident.

It is also beneficial to provide additional details related to the crash, such as the:

• Date of crash
• Time of crash
• Location of crash
• Names of individuals involved

This information helps expedite the process of locating and providing the report to you efficiently. Providing as much detail as possible ensures that the correct report is identified and provided, and makes the process much simpler.

What Does the West Chester Accident Report Include?

A West Chester police accident report typically includes several key pieces of information to provide a comprehensive account of the incident, as well as helping to establish liability and cause of the accident. Information in the accident report can include:

1. Basic Details About The Crash – This includes the date, time, and location of the collision.
2. Parties Involved – Names, contact information, and statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses.
3. Vehicle Information – Make, model, year, and license plate numbers of all the vehicles involved in the crash.
4. Narrative Description – A detailed narrative of how the accident occurred, based on the responding officer’s observations and statements.
5. Diagrams and Photos – Diagrams illustrating how the accident occurred, the accident scene, and photos documenting vehicle damage and road conditions.
6. Citations and Charges – Any citations that were issued or charges filed as a result of the accident, such as speeding.
7. Insurance Details – Insurance information for all involved vehicles, if the driver’s had insurance.
8. Officer’s Conclusion – The officer’s assessment of the cause of the accident and any contributing factors.
9. Additional Notes – Any additional information that is relevant or any notes that are pertinent to the investigation or follow-up.

These details collectively provide a thorough documentation of the accident, helping individuals involved in insurance claims, legal proceedings, settlements, or further investigation.

Accidents in West Chester, PA

West Chester, PA in Chester County stands out not only as a college town, but also for its extensive amount of roadways. Ranking within the top ten counties in Pennsylvania for both state highway miles and local roadway miles, Chester County sees a significant amount of drivers on its roadways every day. However, this high volume of traffic contributes to a notable number of accidents throughout the area, including West Chester. Due to having so many miles of roadway, having a high number of accidents is a reality that residents and drivers might be reluctant to acknowledge. In fact, PennDOT recorded 27 fatalities and 1,585 injury-related crashes within the county in 2022, with a total of 4,373 reported car accidents. Each of these reported accidents, including those within West Chester, PA, generated a police report which provides details of the accident, and creates an official account of it occurring.

Need Help Getting A West Chester, PA Accident Report?

If you have any questions or need assistance with getting a West Chester, PA police report, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Philadelphia-area car accident lawyer at The Pearce Law Firm. We are dedicated to providing support and legal guidance through every step of the process, including filing insurance claims. Whether you need clarification on report details, assistance with obtaining the report itself, or guidance on how to proceed with your car accident case, our team is here to help. Feel free to contact us anytime! We’re committed to making sure you have the information and legal assistance you need.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in West Chester, PA

Car accidents are scary and overwhelming. If you’ve been in a car accident in Pennsylvania, it’s always a good idea to have an experienced advocate in your corner. Accident lawyer Edith Pearce explains what you need to do after being injured in a car accident.

If you were in an accident in West Chester or anywhere in Chester County, PA, contact Pearce Law Firm at (215) 557-8686 for a free consultation with a top-rated Chester County injury lawyer. One of our experienced car accident lawyers in West Chester, PA is standing by to help.