You file only if police didn't
- When
- Property damage over $500 and no law enforcement officer investigated.
- Report to
- Kentucky State Police
- Deadline
- Within 10 days
- Form
- Commonwealth of Kentucky Civilian Traffic Collision Report
Official source: Kentucky State Police — Civilian Collision Reports
Kentucky State Police has an online civilian collision reporting site. Do not file one if an officer investigated.
What to do after a car accident in Kentucky
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police if the crash meets Kentucky's rule above — within 10 days.
- Exchange names, contact, license, plate and insurance details with every driver involved. Use our accident information worksheet.
- Photograph every vehicle, the plates, the damage and the scene, and get witnesses' names and numbers.
- File your own report (Commonwealth of Kentucky Civilian Traffic Collision Report) with Kentucky State Police — within 10 days , if police didn't investigate.
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Kentucky compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | You file only if police didn't | Within 10 days |
| Illinois | You file only if police didn't | Within 10 days |
| Indiana | You must file your own report | Within 10 days |
| Missouri | Only if a driver was uninsured | Within 30 days |
| Ohio | Only if a driver was uninsured | — |
| Tennessee | You must file your own report | Within 20 days |
| Virginia | Call police — no driver form | — |
| West Virginia | Call police — no driver form | Immediately |
If your car was totaled or damaged
Reporting the crash is only the first step. If your insurer says the car is a total loss, check Kentucky's total-loss threshold and run the offer through the Total-Loss Offer Audit. If it was repaired, you may have a diminished-value claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report a car accident in Kentucky?
Sometimes. In Kentucky you file your own report only when police don't: property damage over $500 and no law enforcement officer investigated.
What form do I use to report a crash in Kentucky?
Commonwealth of Kentucky Civilian Traffic Collision Report, filed with Kentucky State Police. Download it from the official source: Kentucky State Police — Civilian Collision Reports.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Kentucky?
Within 10 days — to Kentucky State Police.
Does reporting the crash to the state start my insurance claim?
No. A police or state crash report and an insurance claim are separate. Notify your own insurer promptly as your policy requires, and file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurer if someone else caused the crash.