Last updated: October 26, 2021
In the aftermath of a car, truck or pedestrian accident in Delaware, an injured driver or passenger is usually focused on the physical injuries and damage to their car. The last thing they think of is getting a copy of the accident report. Whether the accident happened in Dover or Newark, it’s usually a good idea to get a copy of the traffic accident report.
The police issue a piece of paper to you at the time of the accident entitled “Driver Information Exchange Report”, this is not the accident report. However, this form does contain the accident report number, which you will need in order to obtain a traffic accident report. If you hire our car accident injury lawyers to represent you for your accident case we will obtain the traffic accident report on your behalf.
In many Delaware auto accident cases, fault can be an issue. Questions may arise regarding speed, the color of a traffic signal, etc. What a driver says about how the accident happened may change. At the accident scene, a driver may say one thing, only to have a different story down the road. For example, a driver may say the traffic light was yellow just before the accident happened. Later, the same driver may say that the traffic light had actually turned red just before the accident.
Related: Delaware PIP Law
Below is information about how to get a police report from various police agencies in Delaware. Note that the information is current as of October 2021. Information on how to get a copy of a traffic accident report is provided below for the following:
- Delaware State Police,
- Wilmington Police Department,
- Dover Police Department,
- Newark Police Department, and
- Middletown Police Department.
How to Request a Traffic Accident Report from the Delaware State Police
Mail your request, which includes the report number, date of the accident, location of the accident and name of the driver, to:
Delaware State Police
Attention: Traffic Records
P.O. Box 430
Dover, DE 19903
Cost as of October 2021: $25.00 (*$60.00 for fatal accidents)
Most reports will be ready within 2 weeks after the date of the accident. Pictures may be taken in complex or fatal accident cases. Copies of pictures can be requested by calling the crime lab at 302-739-5975. For more info, call the Delaware State Police Records Department at (302) 739-5931.
How to Request a Traffic Accident Report for Wilmington Auto Accidents
For auto accidents that occur in Wilmington, Delaware, requests for traffic accident reports can be mailed to:
Wilmington Police Department
Attention: Records Division
300 North Walnut Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Cost as of October 2021: $20.00
The request must include the accident report number, names of parties, date of accident, etc. Traffic accident reports are usually available within 7-10 days after the date of the accident. For more information, call the Wilmington Police Department at (302) 576-3607.
How to Request a Traffic Accident Report for Dover Car/Auto Accidents
Call the Dover Police Department Records Unit at (302) 736-7106 to verify that the crash report has been processed and is ready.
The cost is $25.00 as of October 2021. Requests can be mailed to:
Dover Police Department
Attention: Records
400 S. Queen Street
Dover, DE 19904
How to Request a Traffic Accident Report for Newark Car/Auto Accidents
For car, truck or pedestrian accidents in Newark, requests for traffic accident reports can be mailed to:
Newark Police Department
Attention: Records Unit
220 South Main Street
Newark, DE 19711
As of October 2021, the cost is $20 for a standard report ($60 for fatal accident reports). Fill in the Newark PD Request for Police Report and send it in with the payment. For more information, call the Newark Police Department at 302-366-7100, extension 3.
How to Request a Traffic Accident Report for Middletown Car/Auto Accidents
For car accidents in Middletown, you can get traffic accident reports in person or via mail at:
Middletown Police Department
130 Hampden Road
Middletown, DE 19709
You will need a case number and a photo id. As of October 2021, the cost is $25 ($75 for fatal accident reports). For more info, call the Middletown Police Department at (302) 376-9950.
Delaware Car Accident Lawyers – Wilmington, Dover & Newark
Our law firm has been handling auto injury cases across Delaware for over 25 years. Contact our injury lawyers for a free consultation. (302) 658-1717
*Disclaimer: This website page does not provide any legal advice or create any attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique and you should not take any action or make decisions in your case without speaking to a qualified car and truck accident lawyer in Delaware. Any discussion of results is no guarantee of the same or similar results in current or future cases.
*Use of the contact form on this website or emailing one of our lawyers does not create any attorney-client relationship. In addition, confidential information should not be sent through the contact form.