How to get a car accident report in Rhode Island
Every rule below is quoted from Rhode Island law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
The short answer
You can get a Rhode Island State Police crash report online at BuyCrash.com, usually available 72 hours after the report was taken. By mail, send a self-addressed stamped envelope with a 15 dollar check to the RISP Accident Bureau. Fatal crashes and open investigations require contacting the Accident Bureau directly. If anyone is injured in a crash, the driver must stay at the scene, give their information, help the injured person, and immediately notify local or state police.
Which agency has your report
The report comes from the agency whose officer came to the crash. On interstates and state highways that is usually the state police or highway patrol. On city streets it is the city police, and outside city limits it is often the county sheriff. Ask the officer for the report number before you leave the scene.
Requesting a state police crash report
You can get a Rhode Island State Police crash report online at BuyCrash.com, usually available 72 hours after the report was taken. By mail, send a self-addressed stamped envelope with a 15 dollar check to the RISP Accident Bureau. Fatal crashes and open investigations require contacting the Accident Bureau directly.
“In most cases, crash reports are available 72 hours after the report was taken. There is a fee for obtaining these documents pursuant to R.I. General Law Section 42-28-37.”
Your reporting duties
When you must report to police
If anyone is injured in a crash, the driver must stay at the scene, give their information, help the injured person, and immediately notify local or state police.
“render to any person injured or struck in an accident reasonable assistance, and shall immediately, by the quickest means of communication known to the driver or which should have reasonably been known to the driver to be available in the locality, give notice of the accident to a nearby office of local or state police”
Whether you must file your own report
If a crash caused injury or death, or property damage over $1,000, the driver must send a written report to the Division of Motor Vehicles within 21 days.
“within twenty-one (21) days after the accident, forward a written report of the accident to the division of motor vehicles”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.