You file only if police didn't
- When
- Police did not investigate, and someone was injured or killed or a vehicle had to be towed.
- Report to
- PennDOT, Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering
- Deadline
- Within 5 days
- Form
- AA-600, Driver's Accident Report
Official source: PennDOT — Form AA-600
What to do after a car accident in Pennsylvania
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police if the crash meets Pennsylvania's rule above — within 5 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 (AA-600, Driver's Accident Report) with PennDOT, Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering — within 5 days , if police didn't investigate.
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Pennsylvania compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | You file only if police didn't | Within 5 days |
| Delaware | Call police — no driver form | Immediately |
| Maryland | You file only if police didn't | Within 15 days |
| New Jersey | You file only if police didn't | Within 10 days (written report) |
| New York | You must file your own report | Within 10 days |
| Ohio | Only if a driver was uninsured | — |
| 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 Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania?
Sometimes. In Pennsylvania you file your own report only when police don't: police did not investigate, and someone was injured or killed or a vehicle had to be towed.
What form do I use to report a crash in Pennsylvania?
AA-600, Driver's Accident Report, filed with PennDOT, Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering. Download it from the official source: PennDOT — Form AA-600.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Pennsylvania?
Within 5 days — to PennDOT, Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering.
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.