You must file your own report
- When
- Injury, death, or more than $1,000 of damage to any one vehicle or other property.
- Report to
- The Registry of Motor Vehicles, with a copy to the local police department where the crash happened
- Deadline
- Within 5 days
- Form
- Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report
Official source: Mass.gov — Report a motor vehicle crash
What to do after a car accident in Massachusetts
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police for any crash with injuries or significant damage. Ask for the report number.
- 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 (Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report) with The Registry of Motor Vehicles, with a copy to the local police department where the crash happened — within 5 days .
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Massachusetts compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | You must file your own report | Within 5 days |
| Connecticut | Confirm with your state | — |
| New Hampshire | You file only if police didn't | Within 15 days |
| New York | You must file your own report | Within 10 days |
| Rhode Island | You must file your own report | Within 21 days |
| Vermont | You must file your own report | Within 72 hours |
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 Massachusetts'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 Massachusetts?
Yes. In Massachusetts you must file your own written crash report when: injury, death, or more than $1,000 of damage to any one vehicle or other property.
What form do I use to report a crash in Massachusetts?
Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report, filed with The Registry of Motor Vehicles, with a copy to the local police department where the crash happened. Download it from the official source: Mass.gov — Report a motor vehicle crash.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Massachusetts?
Within 5 days — to The Registry of Motor Vehicles, with a copy to the local police department where the crash happened.
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.