You file only if police didn't
- When
- Injury, death, or damage to any one vehicle or property of $2,000 or more (crashes on or after July 18, 2026; $1,500 before), when law enforcement did not investigate.
- Report to
- Nebraska Department of Transportation
- Deadline
- Within 10 days
- Form
- Driver's Motor Vehicle Crash Report (online)
Official source: Nebraska DOT — Crash Reporting
What to do after a car accident in Nebraska
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police if the crash meets Nebraska'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 (Driver's Motor Vehicle Crash Report (online)) with Nebraska Department of Transportation — within 10 days , if police didn't investigate.
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Nebraska compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | You file only if police didn't | Within 10 days |
| Colorado | Optional online report | — |
| Iowa | You file only if police didn't | Within 72 hours |
| Kansas | Call police — no driver form | — |
| Missouri | Only if a driver was uninsured | Within 30 days |
| South Dakota | Confirm with your state | Immediately |
| Wyoming | 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 Nebraska'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 Nebraska?
Sometimes. In Nebraska you file your own report only when police don't: injury, death, or damage to any one vehicle or property of $2,000 or more (crashes on or after July 18, 2026; $1,500 before), when law enforcement did not investigate.
What form do I use to report a crash in Nebraska?
Driver's Motor Vehicle Crash Report (online), filed with Nebraska Department of Transportation. Download it from the official source: Nebraska DOT — Crash Reporting.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Nebraska?
Within 10 days — to Nebraska Department of Transportation.
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.