A car accident report, or other injury incident report, could be a key piece of evidence if you need to file a Bozeman personal injury lawsuit. One reason for this is that an accident report contains facts, not opinions. It sets forth information about each party, the conditions and environment proximate to the accident, time of day, the extent of damage to the involved vehicles, and other data that help form a narrative about what happened and how.
Each state has its own requirements for when and how an accident must be reported. Under Montana law, if a vehicle accident results in death, injury, or property damage of more than $1,000, it must be reported immediately.
Here’s a guide for how to obtain a crash or incident report in Bozeman, what you’ll need, where to go, and applicable state laws.
How to obtain a Bozeman accident report
Determine which agency handled the incident
For instance, whether the accident happened within city limits, on a county road, or on a state highway could determine which agency responded and would be responsible for the report. The first step in obtaining an accident report is to identify which agency responded and created the report.
- If the collision occurred inside Bozeman city limits or was handled by the Bozeman Police Department (BPD), you’ll request the report via BPD/City records. BPD is located at 615 S. 16th Ave. #260, Bozeman.
- If it occurred in the county (outside Bozeman city limits) and was handled by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), you’d contact the county records office.
- If it was on state highways (interstate or state roads) or handled by the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP), you would contact that agency.
Who can obtain the report?
If you’re the driver, a passenger, or a property owner involved in a crash (or their insurer or attorney), you may request an accident report. A third party who is not involved might not be authorized to view an accident report; they might be denied or required to satisfy additional conditions.
- A crash report is confidential under Montana Code Annotated § 61-7-114. The Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) allows only specific individuals to access crash reports. In addition to people named in the report (drivers, vehicle owners), this could also include any person injured or who suffered a loss in the accident, insurance carriers, and legal representatives.
- If the report was generated by Gallatin County, availability depends on how the individual is listed in the report.
Gather relevant documents needed for obtaining the report
Before you submit a request, you can collect the documents you’ll need to make the process efficient. Be prepared with proof of the following:
- Date, time and location of the crash (include street or highway, mile post, city or county)
- Names of all involved drivers if known, vehicle license plates, and the report number (if you have it)
- A completed request and release form, if the agency requires it
- Payment of applicable fees
- Written authorization or proof of representation if you’re a third-party
For example, the Montana Highway Patrol “Crash Release Form” requires the crash ID, nearest city, county, date, and driver names. The local county portal requires the requester to list how they are involved in the report.
Consider the fees and methods of delivery
Accident reports aren’t always free. Depending on the agency, you might have a fee to obtain a report.
- MHP charges a non-refundable $2 search fee for a crash report. The cost is $10 per photo and $25 per video.
- Gallatin County charges $2 per record, plus $0.50 per page after the first four pages, and $10 for a media disc.
- BPD charges between $6 and $20 for crash reports.
Reports can be delivered by mail or online. Depending on how quickly you need the report, you can choose whichever is more convenient.
Step-by-step guide to obtaining a Bozeman-area accident report
| 1. Identify the correct agency | Confirm whether the crash was handled by BPD, GCSO or MHP. |
| 2. Obtain forms and instructions | Visit the county Support Services and Records page for BPD or Gallatin County. Download a Crash Release Form for MHP. |
| 3. Complete a request form | Provide crash details, your role, and identification or authorization |
| 4. Pay the fee | Follow the payment method for the agency (i.e. check or money order, or online payment). Note: MHP accepts only cash, check, or money order for crash reports. It does not take electronic payments. |
| 5. Submit the request | Sumbit via the BPD/GSCO online records portal, by email, or in person. If you’re seeking a county record, you may request through its online portal. For a record from the MHP, mail the request form to P.O. Box 117, Boulder MT 59632. |
| 6. Wait for processing | This can take 10 days or longer, depending on whether the investigation is complete and other staffing and workload factors. |
| 7. Receive the report | Anticipate the report by email, postal mail, or pick it up when notified. Review it for accuracy and ensure it includes the necessary information. |
There are a couple of final points about this process:
First, there could be details redacted under the Montana “confidential criminal justice information” laws. Second, if an investigation is ongoing, the report might take some additional time to be finalized or available. Third, be mindful of the timing. If you’re obtaining the report for insurance or legal reasons (liability, settlement), request the report as soon as it becomes available.
See our guide Choosing a personal injury attorney.