How to Get a Police Report After a Kansas City Accident

It happens fast—a loud crash, a wave of confusion, and suddenly, you’re standing on the side of the road wondering what comes next. One moment, you’re trying to get home. Next, your car is wrecked, your adrenaline is surging, and you’re being handed a small card with an incident number on it.

After any Kansas City car accident, getting the police report should be one of your first steps, whether filing an insurance claim, pursuing legal action, or trying to make sense of what happened. But how do you get one? What if a police report takes forever or never shows up at all?

Why police reports matter after a Kansas City crash

A police report is an important source of information about your accident. It’s written by a police officer who responded to the scene, and it may contain:

• Driver and witness statements
• Time, date, and weather conditions
• Diagrams of the crash
• Initial determination of fault

Insurance adjusters may use this report in their assessment of the crash. Your attorney may also rely on the report to find information like the location of the collision or the names of witnesses.

How to request a traffic collision report in Kansas City

If your crash happened within Kansas City, Missouri city limits, you can request your report through the Kansas City Police Department. Crashes outside city limits or on highways may be handled by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. If it happened in Kansas City, Kansas, the process goes through the KCKPD or the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Here’s how:

Missouri residents: Visit https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/ and look under Crash Reports.

Kansas residents: Go to https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/ and search the crash log, or check with the city police department directly.

Most reports become available within five to ten business days, though it may vary depending on the complexity of the crash or ongoing investigations.

How long does it take to get a police report after an incident?

This is one of the most common questions that victims ask, and for good reason. While some reports are available within a few days, others can take weeks.

Factors that affect the timeline include:

• Whether a serious injury or fatality was involved
• Availability of witnesses or additional evidence
• Whether the office needs to submit additional supplements

In Missouri, standard reports typically take seven to ten days to be processed. But in Kansas, especially when the highway patrol is involved, it may take longer. According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, more than 150,000 traffic crashes are reported statewide annually, creating high report demand.

What if you were involved in a hit-and-run?

A hit-and-run can complicate everything, including getting a police report. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. You should still file a report as soon as possible by calling the non-emergency police number or visiting the station in person.

Be ready to provide a complete description of the other vehicle, the time and location of the crash, and any identifying details, such as the license plate and relevant damage. You should also provide names and contact information for witnesses.

In many cases, a partial report or supplemental form will be created while officers search for the suspect. You’ll likely need this documentation to pursue a claim under your uninsured motorist coverage.

Understanding highway patrol crash reports in Kansas

Not every Kansas crash is handled by the city police. If the car accident happened on a significant highway or interstate, the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) may be the agency that files the report.

To get these:

• Visit the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Records Request page.
• Look for Crash Report Requests under Public Services.
• Be prepared to provide the date, location, and names of drivers involved.

If the KHP handled your case, calling the local precinct won’t help; they won’t have your report on file. Always confirm which agency responded to your crash before requesting.

Steps to obtain your car accident report—online or in person

Here’s a quick guide to make the process easier:

1. Wait a few days after the crash to allow time for the report to be filed.
2. Gather key information like your report number, date of incident, and full names of involved parties.
3. Visit the appropriate website for the city, state, or highway patrol.
4. Submit a request online or download the printable form to mail in.
5. Pay the fee, usually $5 to $10 for a digital or mailed copy.

Trouble getting a report? What to do when it’s delayed or denied

So, you’ve waited patiently, double-checked your dates, and still…nothing. Now what?

First, don’t panic. Delays happen all the time, especially if the crash involved injuries, multiple vehicles, or a criminal investigation. Start by calling the records division of the agency you think handled your police report. Sometimes, it’s waiting on a supervisor’s signature or supplemental notes.

If your report is being denied, ask why.

Is it under investigation? Was there a mix-up in the filing? And if it’s unclear who responded, your best bet is to call both the city police and the highway patrol. In tricky cases, having a car accident attorney in your corner can make a difference; they can file official requests or subpoenas if needed.

While a police report is helpful to your case, it’s not the only way to prove your claim. Other documentation and testimony can also offer support and evidence.

The bottom line

A police report isn’t just paperwork; it’s an important document for any car accident claim in Kansas City. Whether dealing with insurance adjusters and personal injury claims, chasing down a hit-and-run driver, or trying to prove fault in court, that document can give your case structure and credibility. Getting one may seem tedious, but it’s often the difference between a smooth process and a stressful, uphill battle.

If you’re running into delays, confusion, or denials, don’t try to navigate it alone. Some legal tools and strategies can help. And remember, the sooner you act, the stronger your position becomes.

If your accident report is missing or holding up your claim, contact Kansas City Injury Attorneys to step in and help you get what you need to move forward.